North Carolina’s Town Mountain wraps up its 2021 touring schedule with a show at DC’s The Hamilton Live, Oct. 23, 2021. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Check out the Twitter page for Town Mountain and your find a pithy bio that reads, “Bluegrass with swagger from Asheville North Carolina!” That swagger was on display when the band wrapped up its last run of touring in 2021 with a two-hour set at DC’s The Hamilton Live recently.
On Oct. 23, a few things were different from Town Mountain’s last appearance at The Hamilton in February 2020. Most noticeably, they added a drummer to the ranks: Miles Miller from Stugill Simpson’s band. Also bassist Zach Smith left his standup bass back in North Carolina in favor of a natural-color Fender Jazz Bass.
Check out Parklife DC’s coverage of Town Mountain’s Feb 1, 2020 visit to The Hamilton Live.
I asked Zach about these changes after the show and he told me, “With this new record [due out in Spring/Summer 2022] about 70% is on electric, and with trying to bring drums into the mix full time, the electric makes a lot more sense. I will say, once we regroup and hone in our sound system, I plan on using both in our live shows.”
I asked if this means Miles will become a permanent fixture in the group’s lineup and Zach said, “Miles plays with us when he can. He played on the new record as well as the last one, New Freedom Blues, and we will take any chance to play with him that we get.”
Bassist Zach Smith and drummer Miles Miller add a new swagger to Town Mountain’s rhythm section. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Listen to New Freedom Blues by Town Mountain on Spotify.
Noticeably absent from The Hamilton Live show was Jesse Langlais on banjo. Phil Barker (mandolin) mentioned during a break between songs that Jesse was back home in North Carolina with his wife who was due to give birth, “any moment now.” Phill added, “We’re sending good vibes down to Jesse and his family.”
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Town Mountain is Robert Greer on vocals and guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, Zach Smith on bass, and (when he can) Miles Miller on drums.
Setlist:
Fire Bound Road
Long Time Gone
Raisin’ Cane in Texas
Comeback Kid
Snowing on Raton
False Hearted Lover
Whiskey with tears
American Family
Lines on the Levee
Up the Ladder
Feeling Blue
Down Low
Lean Into the Blue
Road Home
Windfall
Big Decisions
Daydream Qurantina
I’m on Fire
Coming back Home to You
Lawdog
Encore:
The Race is On
Orange Blossom Special
Enjoy some photos from Town Mountain’s Oct. 23 show at The Hamilton Live. All images courtesy of and copyrighted by Ari Strauss.
