Susto Stringband: A unique collaboration
The unique partnerhip between Americana stalwart Justin Osborne’s Susto and Asheville’s Holler Choir is on tour and stopped at Gainesville’s Heartwood Soundstage for a night of diverse tunes. Susto began in 2014 in Charleston, SC as an alt_country band with Osborne’s Americana-based songwriting. They’ve released five studio albums and two live albums. After personal challenges and the pandemic, Osborne moved to Asheville, NC and met the members of the Appalachian string band Holler Choir. They played informally together and realized they had a unique blend. Osborne reworked his songs as bluegrass and old-time numbers. Their album Susto Stringband Vol. 1 was recently released and contains some of his best-known songs, including “Friends, Lovers, Ex-Lovers: Whatever,” ”Mt. Caroline,” and “Homeboy”. There are two new Osborne songs on the album, “Double Crown,” a nod to an Asheville watering hole, and “Never Losing Me,” a song written for his daughter.
Their show at Heartwood was a diverse run through everything from the Carter Family’s “Bear Creek Blues” and the old time chestnut “Angeline the Baker”, to a paean to their touring vehicle “E-350”. They did a fine cover of John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind” and closed with a beautiful a capella version of “Down to the River to Pray.” Every member of the band was featured, and it’s a talented band. Vocalist/guitarist Clint Roberts, clawhammer banjoist Helena Rose, mandolinist Jackson Grimm, fiddle player Nat Copeland and upright bassist Joey Brown are a finely honed string band and their collaboration with Osborne kept things interesting all night. They were joined by opener Landon Gay who sat in on several numbers on pedal steel. These are fine musicians, and the combination of great original songs, a diverse setlist, and great stage presence make this a band worth going out of your way to see. And best of all, they clearly love to play together. They had the crowd involved all night; it’s a fun way to spend an evening. Don’t miss them.
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