The Seven

It had been a while since I heard something with vigor and style, until this humdinger landed on my lap. Hot off the press, The Seven comes to us from newgrass sensation, Fireside Collective. This group hails from beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, where these musicians have been shaped by the culture and artistic integrity of their community. Originally formed by mandolinist Jesse Laquinto, with aims at traditional bluegrass arrangements,  the group would venture off into new territory that has shaped this album. 

With seven new arrangements from Joe Cicero, Tommy Maher, and Laquinto, the album forges new paths while standing in solidarity with the traditional sound that helped shape it. Drawing from the innovative sounds of their predecessors like Garcia and Rice, Fireside Collective is pushing into the unexplored territory of Americana with a strong emphasis on groove and feeling. 

Their single “Do You Feel” takes the listener through a jamming roller-coaster of rockabilly drumming from Michael Tillis, while diving into psychedelic guitar riffs and changing time signatures. It seems once you enter into jam band territory, you have to be pretty fearless, and the playing of Maher’s lightning-fast resonator guitar, alongside Laquinto’s mandolin, certainly reflects that quality. The title track is a deluge of cascading riffs trading off between instruments, all being held down by tight bass playing from Carson White. 

Despite its being far from the beaten path of traditional bluegrass, The Seven is surely a sign of what’s to come in the ever-changing landscape of folk and Americana. The number seven was chosen by Fireside Collective because it bears cultural significance throughout history, astrology, philosophy, and discovery. This certainly is no coincidence, but often in The Bible it signifies a completion of holiness. 

The Fireside Collective are holding steadfast to this journey with the booming success of their 2020 album Elements, charting #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts. Their live shows have been well received, going all the way back to Merlefest in 2016 when they won the band contest, just two years out of the gate. The Fireside Collective have come a long way, and it’ll be interesting to see where they’re headed next.