Uncommon Ground ^ Tangleweed

Tangleweed
Tangleweed formed after Ryan Fisher (banjo), Paul Wargaski (upright bass) and Billy Oh (fiddle) met on the set of the Jeff-nominated local theatre production The Cotton Patch Gospels. Once the production closed, the trio agreed there was a chemistry that should be explored further, and Tangleweed was born.

Kenneth Rainey (mandolin, veteran of Chicago’s Kennett Brothers) was added to the line-up after he and Fisher found a common bond when they were admonished at a local bluegrass jam for attempting a Thelonious Monk tune. Rainey’s neighbor Scott Judd (long-time acoustic guitarist and co-founder of local psych-rock trio Magnetosphere) soon sat in at one of the band’s Sunday evening sets at Metropolis Coffee House, and was added as a permanent member then and there.

The band has been sharpening their live sets by playing regularly in Chicago since early summer 2004, and has performed at a myriad of area venues. If the recent standing ovation at the Red Line Tap was any indication, this band is a welcome breath of fresh air for local lovers of stomping bluegrass, banjo-jazz, and high lonesome harmonies.

Tangleweed has received praise and support from WLUW’s Billy J. Ivers, via several appearances on Ivers’ Saturday morning Alive and Kickin’ radio show. Ivers called the group "A bright new bluegrass sound." The group was also enthusiastically received by Michael James on his Live at the Heartland radio program.

Tangleweed is finalizing preparation of their debut recording, with plans for an early ’05 self-release. The recording was executed 100% live, in true field-recording fashion, with Bob Weston at the helm of the two-track tape recorder with vintage microphones and mixer.

Combining high-energy performances with impeccable musicianship and a deep respect for American musical history, Tangleweed is poised to make their mark as a serious presenter of old-time music in a modern, big-city setting.