The Avett Brothers: in Harmony with Humility

First off, I need to let you know that in no way do I think I can write a blog post that does justice to this duo of brothers.

As a music connoisseur (of some sort), I believe that the Avett Brothers -two humble brothers/musicians from North Carolina- are changing the Americana/folk music scene; not just because of their power ballads, but because of their personalities as well. Perhaps even moreso because of their personalities. (Speaking of the folk scene, let me note that they were around way before Mumford & Sons -if we're talking actual music style here).

I am so put off musicians these days, who seem to always strive for glory or try to do the next “weird” thing to get himself/herself noticed (hint: Lady Gaga). 

But not Scott and Seth Avett. 

I could go into details about how their music is unlike anything I had heard before, how it makes me feel like they connect to a listener like me on a much deeper level. They are not just musicians; they are poets. 

Instead of taking up blog room, read about them/more of their background HERE.

I think the beginning of the article says it all for me:

 “Halfway down the driveway to the Avett family farm in Concord, Scott Avett slows his truck to a stop. His father, Jim, watches as the 36-year-old jumps out, grabs some bales of hay from the side of the road and tosses them into a trailer. Scott wasn't asked to help out. That's just the way he is. Since he was a kid, he's pitched in until all the work is done — just like he's doing on this hot day earlier this summer.

The difference is that today, Scott Avett is a rock star — he doesn't really have to load hay into trailers or work construction in the sun. And yet his willingness — no, his compulsion — to do so is part of the work ethic that's helped catapult him and his fellow Avett Brothers into one of the country's strongest live acts. But the Avetts are now more than just a great live band.”

            Last night I saw them in concert at an outdoor pavilion in Indianapolis. The whole concert was great, but the last act really moved me. Seth Avett announced he would like to invite his father, Jim, on stage to sing with the band. With Jim’s arms around his two successful sons, they ended the concert with The Salvation Song (link to song). 

Here are some of the lyrics:

“And I would give up everything 

And if you were to come up clean 

And see you shine so bright in a world of woe 

And they may pay us off in fame 

But that is not why we came 

And if it compromises truth then we will go 

We came for salvation 

We came for family 

We came for all that's good that's how we'll walk away 

We came to break the bad 

We came to cheer the sad 

We came to leave behind the world a better way.”

And that’s just what the Avett Brothers are doing.

The Avett Brothers are honest-to-God musicians; they make you want to be a better person but make you feel like it’s okay that you’re not there yet.

Give a few of their songs a listen and you’ll know what I mean –trust me. And why not start now?

music video: I And Love and You by The Avett Brothers.