The musicians at this show might hail from abroad, but their tastes are strictly down home.
On July 12, the Jalopy Theatre will host Eurograss, a show highlighting European musicians who, despite growing up on the other side of the pond, are in love with all sounds Americana.
“We have reached a zenith of what commercial music is about and we are traveling back and we are in the midst of a new revival of all things rootsy,” said Dublin-born and Australia-raised musician Vincent Cross, who will play with his band at the show, alongside Swiss outfit Mala & Fyrmoon. “People are finding they do not have to follow the mainstream rock and pop worlds.”
Cross, who sings and plays guitar, calls his sound a combination of rustic Americana and progressive bluegrass — sort of the Stanley Brothers meets Bela Fleck.
He said he became fascinated with American roots music during the 1980s — a time when most of the world was reveling in synth pop — and never looked back.
“I heard a faded cassette of Bob Dylan and I gravitated toward that,” said Cross, who plays guitar, banjo, and bass. “I heard what Dylan was doing and I became fascinated with all the songs on that album.”
The English group Mumford and Sons is only the latest in a long line of European musicians that have coopted the American sound. One of the first was the Beatles, which took its influence from Buddy Holly and Muddy Waters.
“It’s the same thing the Rolling Stones did for the Delta Blues,” said Cross.
Eurograss at the Jalopy Theatre [315 Columbia St. between Hamilton Avenue and Woodhull Street in Red Hook, (718) 395-3214, www.jalopy.biz]. July 12 at 9 pm. $15.
