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Cary Ann Hearst - lead and backing vocals, guitar, drums, keyboard, percussion
Michael Trent - lead and backing vocals, harmonica, guitar, drums, keyboard, percussion
Biography: Shovels & Rope are a husband and wife americana duo from Charleston, South Carolina. Cary Ann Hearst went to the College of Charleston and stuck around town after graduation, playing music and touring with a few different bands. Eventually she met Michael Trent and they started Shovels & Rope and released the self-titled debut in 2008. Then they got married in 2009 and went back to their solo careers for a few years. In 2012 they picked back up and they've been going strong ever since. The last time they played at Bonnaroo was in 2014, which is right after David Letterman brought them on and they subsequently blew the fuck up, at least by the standards of the Charleston music scene. They have a new album called 'By Blood' that will be released in April 12th, 2019.
Major Discography: 'Little Seeds' (2016), 'Swimmin Time' (2014), 'O' Be Joyful' (2012), 'Shovels & Rope' (2008)
They've also released 'Busted Jukebox' Volumes 1 and 2, which are cover albums with features from their friends. There's an awesome version of Neil Young's "Unknown Legend" featuring Shakey Graves on Volume 1. I'll put that below.
Sounds Like Genre: Folk / Americana Similar Bonnaroo Artists: John Prine, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, The Wood Brothers, Trampled By Turtles, Grand Ole Opry, etc.
Suggested Listening
"Birmingham" was their first big song. This one kind of defines their relationship and their lives, and pretty much explains what Shovels & Rope is. It's a very sweet song when you look at it from that perspective. Part of the music video was filmed at a dive bar called Tin Roof here in Charleston. P.S. the following music video made my ex girlfriend cry
This is their newest song, "The Wire". It's the first single off the new album. I think it's aight, but might as well give yourself an idea of what direction they're headed
This is good:
"Unknown Legend" cover ft. Shakey Graves
Physical Reaction/Live Show
This is laid-back folk music, with bluegrass tendencies and a South Carolina accent, so it's going to be chill, but that doesn't mean they won't rock out a little bit. There will be some stylistic variety in their set, but the overarching vibe will be laid-back. As is the South Carolina way, I imagine there will be some storytelling on stage as well. I'm most likely just gonna sit down in the shade, drink a beer, and soak up the love.
Interesting Facts
Shovels & Rope are the curators of High Water Festival in Charleston, which started in 2017 and features a lot of music in the same vein as them.
Cary Ann Hearst is also going to be 6 months pregnant at Bonnaroo 2019. First child.
Personal Notes
Although I live in Charleston, I actually have not had the chance to see Shovels & Rope live yet. They blew up and went out on the road before I really heard about the music scene. I have seen Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent performing with other bands in Charleston, though. Cary Ann is part of a local all-female group from John's Island called Marshgrass Mamas. They play bluegrass music around town every now and then, and it's a blast.
People in Charleston love Shovels & Rope. The last time they played here, other than at High Water Fest, they did a weekend's worth of shows at two different venues. They both sold out almost immediately. One of them was at a venue called The Pour House, which is where they played regularly when they were first starting out, so it was cool that they went back there. I wasn't able to get tickets, but from what I've heard it was a really intimate show.
