The Bent Strings

About

This young group from Greenville, SC wows crowds with a unique blend of progressive folk rock, jazz, and americana. Influenced by groups such as Nickel Creek, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Acoustic Syndicate and The Strokes, The Bent Strings launch out where these groups leave off, offering audiences tight and energetic covers and fresh originals. Not afraid to experiment, these guys leverage their backgrounds in pop, classical and jazz to fuse and genre-bend their way through skillfully improvised phrases to the delight of all who listen. With this group, there’s never a dull moment. It’s always “art-in-the-making” and “creativity-on-demand.” It’s always fresh, it’s always new – and the crowds always go away smiling.

Press:

“This young, up and coming band was on the
money with a fresh and energetic perspective to
some tunes that left you mouth-wide-open in awe.
To think that such young kids could play such
complex arrangements to a tee was just inspiring to
say the least … The youngest being only 19, these
guys have lots of time to grow and blossom in to
stars and by the look of it they might take the scene
by storm very soon.”
– Leeway’s Homegrown Music Network

“What do you get when you combine a family of
musicians with classical backgrounds that play a
hybrid of jazz and bluegrass music? You get
something the likes of which you’ve never heard
before. The Bent Strings are currently doing
something that only a handful of other musicians in
the nation are doing.”
– IndependentMail.com

"... mostly traditional bluegrass instrumentation – guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, and drums; you can see how close bluegrass is to their hearts. However, it’s not possible to pigeonhole them into such a tight category. With jazz fusion influences like Bela Fleck, and pioneering “newgrass” influences like Chris Thile, the Bent Strings are offering up an exciting brand of music all their own. A quote I once heard about Nickel Creek is a great way to understand The Bent Strings approach to music.
Paraphrasing, it went something like this: 'Although they’ve [Nickel Creek] grown up in the bluegrass scene and are already accomplished in traditional Bluegrass music, they’re young musicians with their ears wide open…they take elements of every kind of music they encounter and make it their own'"
-- Fete Greenville

Members:

Mike Rose - Guitar, Vocals
Harrison Rose - Mandolin, Vocals
William Rose - Banjo, Vocals
David Rivas - Bass
Jordan Wikoff - Drums

Highlights:

Fall Albino Skunkfest: 2010, 2011
Spring Albino Skunk Festival: 2010
The Handlebar
Fall for Greenville 2011
Do-da Jam Festival 2011
Biltmore House 2011
Music in the Woods Festival: 09, 10, 11
Cliffs at Keowee Falls: 2010
Brown Street Jazz Club: 2010
Edward Jones Investments: 2009, 10
Pacific Life Insurance: 2009
Georgia Boy Choir: 2010, 11

Personnel

Mike Rose: guitar, vocals
Harrison Rose: mandolin, vocals
William Rose: banjo, vocals
David Rivas: bass
Jordan Wikoff: drums (optional)

Influences

Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Nickel Creek, Chris Thile, The Strokes, Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers, Kings of Leon, Hot Buttered Rum, Acoustic Syndicate, Old Crow Medicine Show

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 60 - 180 minutes

Expect a great time for all involved! We're easy to work with, and love to play for a crowd that loves music!

Stage/Setup Requirements:
Only need an electrical outlet! We have the rest

Additional Notes:
Band owns own sound system, including monitors, house speakers, microphones, amplifiers, and soundboard. Comfortable indoors or outdoors.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
One of the The Bent String's greatest strengths is the variety that is infused into their set. They play anything from folk rock originals, to traditional bluegrass songs, to jazz standards, and covers of popular rock songs. The band has enough material to cover up to a three hour time slot.

The band is available with or without drums. Some venues or parties enjoy the added energy and volume of the drums, while others require a more relaxing, acoustic set. The band is comfortable with either situation.

Performance Schedule

Past Booked Dates:

05-05-2012 — Greenville Duck Derby -- Greenville, SC
04-27-2012 — Green Earth Festival -- Spartanburg, SC
04-20-2012 — Corner Pocket -- Greenville, SC
04-17-2012 — Greenville Tech EarthFest -- Greenville, SC
04-07-2012 — Pendleton Spring Jubilee Festival -- Pendleton, SC
03-30-2012 — TedX -- Greenville, SC
03-23-2012 — Chicora Alley -- Greenville, SC
03-16-2012 — Downtown Go Round -- Seneca, SC
03-10-2012 — Smiley's Acoustic Cafe -- Greenville, SC
03-09-2012 — Jon's Mixed Drinks -- Mt. Pleasant, SC

Available for Your

Bar/Lounge, Concert Venue, Corporate Event, Festival, Private Party, Restaurant, Wedding Reception

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