Most great artists spend their careers constantly evolving in phases, taking on different styles, or as it were, making their own new ones. For Nashville transplants-in-progress Cadillac Sky, making the jump from bluegrass to a more transcendent sound couldn’t be easier.
While the band members originally hail from Texas, they have been trickling up to Nashville to try and maximize their exposure and opportunities. Singer Bryan Simpson related the difference as Texas being “four hours from anywhere,” whereas Nashville is, well, Music City.
In the last few months, the band has released an EP and prepared the release of their newest album. “Weary Angel,” their last EP, started as a single song and took on a life of its own.
“We went to record one song, and then another came along, and then we had four,” Simpson remarked. “When the tragedy in Haiti came along, we wanted to do something.”
In the band’s online store, buyers can choose to buy the EP, from which all proceeds will support Haitian relief.
On their most recent release, “Letters From the Deep,” the band took broad steps to move from a more traditional bluegrass sound and branched out into a more subdued sound, giving the band the ability to stretch out in the studio and truly come together as a group.
“In the past, we’ve used the studio a lot, but this time it’s a live track, maybe with a few overdubs,” Simpson said.
Simpson explained that the new approach lead to great results for the band, as their live chemistry flows through the album and truly captures the feel of their live shows.
In the production chair for “Letters” was Dan Auerbach, singer-guitarist for garage blooze duo the Black Keys. Simpson explained that Auerbach’s penchant for letting the reality of a take bleed through gave “Letters” some of its soul.
“Some of the things we would have cut in the past, Dan would say ‘Leave that in’ or ‘that was cool,’” Simpson said. “He made us live with who we are and be comfortable in this moment in time.”
Cadillac Sky’s set at March’s edition of Tennessee Shines also marks their inaugural show in Knoxville. Of the show’s variety hour nature, Simpson said the band would be ready for quick set ups and tear downs.
“We’ve played bluegrass festivals in the past where its like two minutes in between acts, like they’re trying to keep it being anything more than people around a few mics,” Simpson said. “We played Music City Roots in Nashville, which sort of took its theme from Tennessee Shines, so if that’s any barometer for what’s to come, I think we’ll be ready.”
Cadillac Sky will play with Mindy Smith, the Black Lillies and Brand New Strings on March 31. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is welcome for all ages. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show.
