SOUNDS: South Memphis String Band TONITE @ Joe's Pub

The South Memphis String Band performs tonight @ Joe's Pub in NYC:

The South Memphis String Band is a trio, bound by Memphis and North Mississippi roots, composed of Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Alvin “Youngblood” Hart (Grammy-winning bluesman) and Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers). Although they’ve known each other for years, the trio’s musical spirit gelled last year when they recorded a yet-unreleased album with Luther’s father, legendary producer Jim Dickinson, called New Moon Jellyroll Freedom Rockers. The South Memphis String Band was greatly influenced by the Mississippi Sheiks, Gus Cannon & the Memphis Jug Band and other string bands and jug bands of their ilk, as well as Mississippi Delta and Hill Country blues. They will travel with a passel of guitars, mandolins, banjos, lap steel guitars and harmonicas.

“I break down walls and stereotypes with my music. I confuse people. I use Mississippi music, which is renegade music at heart, as my inspiration and motivation," says Mathus. "I use it as a tool to reach people, to express my own feelings and continue to express those that came before me. I keep the old stories alive while they help keep me alive. Luther, Youngblood Hart and myself have been musical co- conspirators for over a decade. It is only fitting that we should come together with acoustic instruments and perform Mississippi music.”