The desire to listen to “cool” music that is deemed underground and revolutionary is not new. Nirvana fans groaned when their favorite band was now plastered on every t-shirt, and now many fans feel saddened with the popularization of their previously niche artists. While there are certain songs and artists I keep to my greedy self, I generally enjoy the opposite practice, sharing talented artists deserving more attention for their incredible musicianship and songwriting skills. One artist in particular who is already incredibly successful but unknown by music consumers my age is Chris Thile, an incredible mandolinist and vocalist. Chris Thile (pronounced Th-ee-lay) is an absolute shredder on the tiny mandolin and has the incredible ability to bring other skilled musicians together to make some my most cherished tracks and albums.
While one may not expect bluegrass-pop to be as groovy as it is, Chris Thile and his many amazing projects have the uncanny ability to get one dancing on their feet. Whether the sound of his tiny mandolin fills a person’s body with dance, or his amazing skills captivate one in a state of awe, there is always something enjoyable about Chris Thile’s music. The youngest in a family full of world-class musicians, Chris Thile picked the unchosen instrument, dedicating his life to mastering the eight stringed mandolin. The level of sophistication that is conveyed through his playing is like no other, making him one of the most talented mandolinists alive on earth.
If one was interested in his music, there would be various tracks and pieces of work I would recommend. An instrumental track that is a favorite of mine is “Attaboy”, a passionate and lively tune that comes from a project collaborating with the greats Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan. In whatever project Thile participates in, there is sure to be incredible highs and lows, perfectly captured by the beautiful strings accompanying his spirited mandolin. Another song that takes the listener on a journey is the track “Familiarity”, by his band The Punch Brothers. “Familiarity” is a ten minute song that has several songs built within it. This automatic classic perfectly features his talent and the talent of his music associates. Finally, another track that prominently displays a more folky sound is “Magnet”, a song that prominently features his playful nature and love for music.
To be quite honest, some may not enjoy this music. However, I believe it is the duty of the passionate music consumer to explore outside one’s comfort zone. A well known bearcat figure and trusted music enthusiast Mr. Norman provides some of his comments on this musician and his projects. When asked about the importance of paying homage to the roots of genres like bluegrass and the flexibility artists are allowed to exercise, Mr. Norman explains that “It’s always up to everyone’s personal taste, but I think it is awesome when modern artists take into account the roots of other forms of popular music when modernizing the sound.” Chris Thile does a phenomenal job at recreating some classics like “Boll Weevil”, adding his own flairs and talents. Chris Thile is definitely an artist to check out if solid covers are enjoyed!
For music listeners like Mr. Norman and myself, showing respect to the original genre or musician is an important value an artist should embody. “Chris Thile does a great job in incorporating these more ancient instruments and older genres with a modern sound. In fact, (and this is in no way a knock on modern music), it’s absolutely refreshing to see musicians mastering instruments in today’s modern age,” says Mr. Norman. In a time where imperfections are typically seen as unwanted in the modern musical landscape, it is always very worthwhile to enjoy an artist who thrives on raw performance and talent. If seeking the approval of the respected music master, Mr. Norman would “definitely recommend it to anyone interested in bluegrass or roots music in general. I always love giving people who seek it new musical directions.”
One of my favorite values expressed in the Bearcat community is our practice of diversity in the arts. For someone who enjoys listening to all types of music to understand and enrich themselves in a broader understanding of sound, Chris Thile’s music is a phenomenal gateway to the many intricacies that bluegrass and American folk music have to offer.