Black Mountain Symphony

Artist Information

Biography

Black Mountain Symphony showcases an eclectic range of influences, blended together to create their own special sound. From baroque classical violin and haunting folk-tinged ballads to funk-rock drums and hard-hitting dance numbers, the five piece band sprinkles their live sets with hints of everything from classical music to bits of Motown, blues and jazz.

Whether touring nationally or performing at their favorite local digs, this up-and-coming group of young musicians features a roundtable of powerful lead vocals and harmonies that dance with captivating violin lines and soar over stunning soundscapes, shaped by years of classical training infused with an irresistible love for musical roots and a fresh, ultramodern mentality.

Evocative of such artists as Fleetwood Mac, The Corrs, Yes, Belle & Sebastian, Damien Rice, Guster and The Dave Matthews Band, the group implements the same skill and vision on cover tunes as they do in their own carefully crafted compositions, and in the process manage to capture something unique and refreshing... This is Black Mountain Symphony.

"Many CD's will claim to defy a specific genre label, but Black Mountain Symphony's redefines eclectic here. The music combines synthesized rock grooves with classic jazz rhythms and you don't have to listen too closely to hear Americana and bluegrass elements here either. Evidence of the rich diverse nature is found on their CD baby page, where in addition to samples of their eleven original songs you'll find the music recommended to both fans of the sounds of Fleetwood Mac and Yes. Enough said." -Arthur Gonick (Pulse, Saratoga Today)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

'Redefining Eclectic!' 5/5 Stars
"An often over used buzzword, "eclectic" finds a real home in the description of this band. The cd is polished & offers an impressive range of musical genres. Their live performances bring all ages & bring out the dancer in all of us. When a middle aged woman like me feels right as rain dancing with the dred head, jam band loving stranger next to me....well, you just know BMS is on to something special. Catch them now, so you can boast to your friends one day that you saw this soon to be super group 'back when'." -"Coleen" (via CD Baby Reviews)

'Awesome Album!' 5/5 Stars
"I had the pleasure of discovering Black Mountain Symphony when my friends' band opened for them one night. I can honestly say that I was blown away by their performance. The music is catchy and they are very talented musicians. I've recommended this album to every one I know and so far, I haven't heard a single complaint. Check it out - you won't be disappointed." -"Tam" (via CD Baby Reviews)

“One thing great about this group: they fit so many areas. No one’s out there like Black Mountain Symphony, these guys are unique… The champagne of eclectic music… It’s wonderful! I mean it throws you, because you think bluegrass one minute and then the violin comes in and then the keyboard comes in and then it sounds completely different. It’s so wonderful! I don’t mean to go on and on, but I’m really becoming a really big fan. I just have never heard anything like it. It’s wonderful, it’s refreshing and it’s not a softdrink.” -Stephanie Fisher (New Voices, NYTalkRadio.net)

"Opening for the Texans was the similarly unclassifiable quasi-Albany-based 6-piece, Black Mountain Symphony. Their opening number featured some beautiful violin and an instrument I can only describe as some sort of Native American v-shaped flute. Their music moved from punk-esque high energy rock to borderline folk music to pop rock to jazz. All of the band members doubled their duties, either playing multiple instruments or taking lead vocals at various times. Drummer Bill Palinski showed charisma in his between song banter rarely seen in local musicians. The band’s sound is refreshing and unique and, though it wasn’t even remotely similar to The Black and White Years, they were a good fit as a second act. If nothing else, bass and guitar combo Orion and C. Rollz provided the facial hair to complement the Texans. In the end, it was a night of mustaches and madness; beer, bass, and beats; great tunes and new friendships forged. Members of both bands spent time with fans and made CDs and other merchandise available. The space at Putnam Den was about as perfect as it could get for the show, with an open floor, raised stage, and an atypical large number of bathrooms." -Randy Rose (The Knickerbocker Ledger, KnickLedger.com)

'Great Sound!' 5/5 Stars
"I bought this cd shortly after it came out and i loved all of it. it is an amazing mix of styles, a good solid debut..." -Timothy Burt (via iTunes Customer Reviews)

'Great New Sound!' 5/5 Stars
"I like the CD. There is music to please every musical taste!" -"Stockwoodac" (via iTunes Customer Reviews)

----------------------------

RADIO PLAY:

WEQX 102.7 FM The Real Alternative - Manchester/Albany
(and featured on "EQX-Posure" with Jason Irwin)

WEXT 97.7 FM The Exit - Albany/Amsterdam

WKBE 100.3 FM The Point - Warrensburg/Glens Falls
(Black Mountain Symphony is The Point's House Band!)

WHRL 103.1 FM Albany's New Rock Alternative - Albany
(and featured on Jason Keller’s "Big Break")

WZMR 104.9 FM The New Edge - Albany

WNYQ Q101.7 FM Classic Hits - Glens Falls
(and featured on "Community Cafe Music Hour")

WRPI 91.5 FM The Upstate Underground (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute College Radio) - Troy
(and featured on "Wednesday Night Live" with Kathryn in a live two-hour performance and interview on the air)

WSPN 91.1 FM Skidmore College Radio - Saratoga Springs

WGFR 92.7 FM The Revolution (SUNY Adirondack College Radio) - Glens Falls/Queensbury

----------------------------

ACCOLADES:

House Band: WKBE 100.3 FM The Point (2011)
- http://thepointontheweb.com/

Featured Performer: Albany Tulip Festival 2011
- Also featuring Blotto, Cold War Kids, Sam Roberts Band, Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned, and others.
- "Local 518" Presented by WEXT The Exit 97.7 FM

Featured Performer: 15th Annual First Night Saratoga
- Presented by Saratoga Arts.
- For more information about First Night Saratoga, visit http://www.saratoga-arts.org/firstnight/

Featured Performer: Toys for Tots Benefit
- Presented by SUNY Adirondack (State University of New York) & The Hudson Valley Community Credit Union (HRCCU).

Featured Performer: Seacoast Fringe Festival 2010 (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
- For more information about the Seacoast Fringe Festival, visit http://www.seacoastfringefestival.com/

Featured Performer: Albany's Pearl-Palooza Music & Arts Festival
- Presented by WEQX 102.7 FM, Absolut Vodka & Bud Light.

Featured Performer: GR8 2B Young 2010 Concert Series
- Presented by The Community Cafe Music Hour & The Hudson Valley Community Credit Union (HRCCU).

Artist of the Month: October 2009, Community Cafe Music Hour / Q101.7 FM

Finalist: 2008 Freihofer’s Run for Women Spirit on the Course Competition

Featured Performer: Cape Cod "For the Love of a Pet" Benefit (Marstons Mills, Massachusetts)

Featured Performer: FealGood Foundation Benefit

Featured Performer: Eastern Mountain Sports Summer Concert Series (Foxboro, Massachusetts)

"Lipstick Stains" (written by Kribs) Featured on "Music Heard UpNorth" - Released by North Country Public Radio, January 2008.
- "Music Heard UpNorth is a compilation of the best songs recorded during a year-long tour of (NCPR's) listening area."
- Made possible by North Country Public Radio and a $330,000 grant from the New York State Music Fund.
- For more information about the UpNorth Music project, visit http://www.upnorthmusic.org

----------------------------

FESTIVALS/CONFERENCES PLAYED:

Bellstock 18 (2011, East Jewett, NY)
Albany Tulip Festival 2011 (Albany, NY)
Seacoast Fringe Festival 2010 (Portsmouth, NH)
Pearl Palooza 2010 (Albany, NY)
SUNY Adirondack's SuperJam 2010 (Clifton Park, NY)
JAGFest 2010 (Southbridge, MA)
Cabinfest 2007, 2008, 2009 (Andes, NY)
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2005 (Saranac Lake, NY)

----------------------------

VENUES PLAYED (by region):

Whether performing nationally in cities such as Austin, New Orleans, Denver, Cleveland, Tampa, Savannah, Boston or New York, or performing at their favorite local digs, Black Mountain Symphony thrives on festivals, nightclubs and concert venues as diverse as The Egg (Albany's center for the performing arts which houses performances as varied as They Might Be Giants, EmmyLou Harris, and the New York City Ballet) and Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs (widely considered the oldest continuously running coffeehouse in the U.S., this famed remnant of the 1960s Folk Revival has hosted such artists of note as Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, and Annie DiFranco).

ALBANY/SARATOGA/CAPITAL REGION: The Egg Center for the Performing Arts, Tang Museum (Skidmore College), SUNY Adirondack (State University of New York), Revolution Hall, Jillian’s, Bayou Cafe, Empire State Plaza, The Van Dyke, Northern Lights, Red Square, Putnam Den, Caffè Lena, The Dublin Underground, The Parting Glass, Hot Shots, Valentine’s, Lark Tavern, Savannah’s, Positively 4th Street, Lucky’s, The Friendly Tavern, Geppetto's, The Marketplace Gallery, The Hudson Duster, Troy Riverfront Park, Tawasentha Park, Deanna’s Café, Night Sky Cafe, Gaffney’s, Mine Nightclub, McGeary's Pub, Villa Valenti Pub, Bread & Jam, Corinth Barn, The Hall of Springs, Saratoga County Fair

NEW YORK CITY: Kenny's Castaways, TBD Brooklyn, Branded Saloon, The Trash Bar, Rebel, The Underscore, Desmond’s Tavern, Connelly’s Klub 45, Don Pedro’s

NORTHEAST: California Brew Haus (Rochester NY), The Gallery (Cobleskill NY), General Clinton Pub (Oneonta NY), Hotel Austin (Central Bridge NY), The Loft (Poughkeepsie NY), Merlin's Bar (Buffalo NY), New Paltz Cultural Collective (New Paltz NY), The Rhinecliff (Rhinecliff NY), Shoes (Saranac Lake NY), Slash Root Tech Cafe (New Paltz NY), White Star (Tannersville NY), Wise Guys (Lake Placid NY); All Asia (Cambridge MA), The Draft Bar and Grille (Allston MA), Hennessy's Hooley House (Boston MA), Lucky Dog Music Hall (Worcester MA), Mill Street Brews Showcase Club (Southbridge MA), Nick's Bar (Worcester MA); Arch Street Tavern (Hartford CT), Cousin Larry's Cafe (Danbury CT), Hungry Tiger (Manchester CT), The Space (Hamden CT); Knapp's Underground (Bennington VT), The Perfect Wife (Manchester VT), Radio Bean (Burlington VT); Great Bay Academy of Dance (Portsmouth NH), Ground Zero (Suncook NH); The Blackstone Club (Pawtucket RI); The Big Easy (Portland ME); Crocodile Rock Cafe (Allentown PA)

NATIONAL: The Domain, Emo's, Headhunters (Austin TX); The Loft (Colorado Springs CO), Vine Street Pub and Brewery (Denver CO); The Corner Perk (Bluffton SC), The Midnight Rooster (Hartsville SC); Blue Gill Restaurant (Spanish Fort/Mobile, AL); Gaslight Tavern (Lawrence KS); Jack Sprat Cafe (Chapel Hill NC); Neutral Ground Coffeehouse (New Orleans LA); Play (Tampa FL); The Purple Fiddle (Thomas WV); Wilbert's (Cleveland OH); The Wormhole (Savannah GA)

----------------------------

ARTISTS (We've Shared The Bill With):

Rusted Root, Ryan Montbleau Band, The Black and White Years, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, Days of the New, The Dear Hunter, We Are Scientists, Civil Twilight, Locksley, The Sleeping, Consider the Source, Railbird, Euforquestra, Vesper, Lunic, Wounded Buffalo Theory & others

Instrumentation

Annie Campo: Vocals, Violin
Bear Campo: Vocals, Piano, Keyboards
Orion Kribs: Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Mandolin
Bill Palinski: Vocals, Drums, Guitar
C. Rollz Peppe: Guitar, Bass

*Black Mountain Symphony performs both intimate acoustic shows as well as intense, full-band rock shows.

Discography

"Black Mountain Symphony" - The Debut Full-Length Album, Released in November 2009.
Recorded with Grammy Nominated Engineer, Charlie Eble*
*Nominee: Best Gospel Album of the Year, "Got to Serve Somebody" The Gospel of Bob Dylan / Columbia Records (2003)

"Many CD's will claim to defy a specific genre label, but Black Mountain Symphony's redefines eclectic here. The music combines synthesized rock grooves with classic jazz rhythms and you don't have to listen too closely to hear Americana and bluegrass elements here either. Evidence of the rich diverse nature is found on their CD baby page, where in addition to samples of their eleven original songs you'll find the music recommended to both fans of the sounds of Fleetwood Mac and Yes. Enough said." -Arthur Gonick (Pulse, Saratoga Today)

CD Release Party: Friday, November 20th at The Red Square in Albany, NY.
w/ special guests Wounded Buffalo Theory, The 7th Squeeze and So They Called Us Liars

Available Now on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/black-mountain-symphony/id370398347?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Official Website

http://www.BlackMountainSymphony.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Reverb Nation
• iTunes
• CD Baby
• Fanbridge
• Amazon.com

Audio

• Right Proper
  Listen  
• Stop Stopping
  Listen  
• Window Paine
  Listen  
• Winter Nights (radio mix)
  Listen  
• Grandfather
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Best Band You’ve Never Heard Of (Live Review: The Black and White Years & Black Mountain Symphony, Live at Putnam Den, August 4th, 2011) [+ Show ]
  

  Written By: Randy Rose for The Knickerbocker Ledger (KnickLedger.com) on August 7, 2011 *Live Revie...Written By: Randy Rose for The Knickerbocker Ledger (KnickLedger.com) on August 7, 2011
  *Live Review: The Black and White Years & Black Mountain Symphony, Live at Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs, NY, August 4th, 2011
  
  EXCERPT:
  
  Opening for the Texans was the similarly unclassifiable quasi-Albany-based 6-piece, Black Mountain Symphony. Their opening number featured some beautiful violin and an instrument I can only describe as some sort of Native American v-shaped flute. Their music moved from punk-esque high energy rock to borderline folk music to pop rock to jazz. All of the band members doubled their duties, either playing multiple instruments or taking lead vocals at various times. Drummer Bill Palinski showed charisma in his between song banter rarely seen in local musicians. The band’s sound is refreshing and unique and, though it wasn’t even remotely similar to The Black and White Years, they were a good fit as a second act. If nothing else, bass and guitar combo Orion and C. Rollz provided the facial hair to complement the Texans.
  
  In the end, it was a night of mustaches and madness; beer, bass, and beats; great tunes and new friendships forged. Members of both bands spent time with fans and made CDs and other merchandise available. The space at Putnam Den was about as perfect as it could get for the show, with an open floor, raised stage, and an atypical large number of bathrooms.
  
  FULL ARTICLE:
  
  “These guys are fantastic. I’m actually going to pay for their music.” That’s a direct quote shouted over the loud, complex art rock sounds of Austin, Texas-based indie band The Black and White Years. The four musicians, along with their friend Benny, drove up to perform for their upstate New York fan base, a fan base that grew because of local independent rock station WEQX’s support. Booking stops along the way to help pay for the trip, the band, and WEQX, were able to keep the show at Saratoga’s Putnam Den free for fans 21 and up, as part of the EQX Coors Light Concert Series. And the boys didn’t disappoint.
  
  From the moment they took the stage till the last sweat-drenched note escaped singer Scott Butler’s lips, The Black and White Years brought a sound to Saratoga Springs that we didn’t know we were missing. With a sound that doesn’t easily fit into any convenient descriptive box, the band’s music ran the gamut from 70’s disco pop to 80’s synth-pop to early 90’s groove to post-pop indie experimental noise. The live set was louder and more energetic than their studio offerings without sacrificing the balance and complexity of tracks like “Power to Change,” “Up!,” and “To Modern Science.”
  
  Butler sang a little, shouted some, mumbled, gestured, jibed, jumped, screamed, wailed, and even whistled; all this madness while switching between hammering on a white Telecaster to delicately maneuvering a microKORG synthesizer. Guitarist Landon Thompson supplied exquisite backing vocals while also working multi-instrumental duties, interchanging lead guitar and key parts. His leads involved, among other things, heavy, staccato rock chops, blues-pop runs, and two-hand tapping. A large component of the band’s signature sound is derived from Thompson’s use of multiple pedals, which provide character and depth to the tonality he gets out of his PRS. Bassist and Corinth, N.Y. native John Aldridge brings forth disco-popping bass beats and, believe it or not, buzzing trumpet parts. Drummer Billy Potts supplies the back-end, dance-inducing rhythms, in a disco style with a steady, driving kick on nearly every beat and heavy off-beat open high-hats.
  
  Aesthetically, each member has their own distinctive style but come together looking like a single, solid unit. Butler handled lead mustache and trendy sunglasses, leaving lead rock hair to bassist Aldridge. He also gets credit for best t-shirt of the night: a vintage brown shirt with graphics in the style of Schoolhouse Rock – he tells me at the end of the night, “I got it for $2 at some shitty thrift store.” Thompson filled the hipster-chic look out nicely, with black-framed glasses, tight-fitting jeans, and parted hair. Potts looks the most like your typical rocker: long, dark hair, stubble, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans and looking intense behind his kit.
  
  Opening for the Texans was the similarly unclassifiable quasi-Albany-based 6-piece, Black Mountain Symphony. Their opening number featured some beautiful violin and an instrument I can only describe as some sort of Native American v-shaped flute. Their music moved from punk-esque high energy rock to borderline folk music to pop rock to jazz. All of the band members doubled their duties, either playing multiple instruments or taking lead vocals at various times. Drummer Bill Palinski showed charisma in his between song banter rarely seen in local musicians. The band’s sound is refreshing and unique and, though it wasn’t even remotely similar to The Black and White Years, they were a good fit as a second act. If nothing else, bass and guitar combo Orion and C. Rollz provided the facial hair to complement the Texans.
  
  In the end, it was a night of mustaches and madness; beer, bass, and beats; great tunes and new friendships forged. Members of both bands spent time with fans and made CDs and other merchandise available. The space at Putnam Den was about as perfect as it could get for the show, with an open floor, raised stage, and an atypical large number of bathrooms.
  
  
  *View this article online: http://www.knickledger.com/2011/08/the-best-band-you%E2%80%99ve-never-heard-of/

• "New Voices" with Stephanie Fisher [+ Show ]
  

  Stephanie Fisher has a wonderful conversation with Bear and Annie Campo from Black Mountain Symphony...Stephanie Fisher has a wonderful conversation with Bear and Annie Campo from Black Mountain Symphony and plays tracks from the group's debut release.
  
  Original Air Date: Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
  
  Available on Demand (Stream/Download) at:
  http://nytalkradio.net/wordpress/podcasts/category/new-voices-wstephanie-fisher/

• overnight success a decade in the making Black Mountain Symphony is right on schedule [+ Show ]
  

  Written By: Arthur Gonick on January 22, 2010 Categories: Pulse Here's an opportunity for you to...Written By: Arthur Gonick on January 22, 2010
  Categories: Pulse
  
  Here's an opportunity for you to be on the front end of a phenomenon. After an extended period of incubation and innovation, personnel additions and refinements, a Capital Region original music group called Black Mountain Symphony is preparing to spread its wings to reach a wider geographic audience.
  
  The core of the group was formed when Annie and Bear Campo, then 12 and 14-years old respectively, began playing as a duo while in middle school. Their teacher, Camille Grace took particular interest in their distinctive sound and encouraged them to pursue their craft. It was during this period that the core of their distinctive sound was born: Annie with the sizzling violin, Bear with synthesized keyboard, both with vocals, with more voices to be added later through serendipitous circumstances. Bill Palinski heard through the musician's grapevine that the pair was looking for a drummer and joined BMS in 2004. In 2007, Orion Kribs was researching a festival on MySpace, and came upon a 'top friend' on that page that was named "looking for bassist." He wrote, they all clicked and another important piece was added to the project. Most recently, Chris Peppe became part of the group to enhance an already rich guitar sound.
  
  The group originally was known as 'Justice Once;' the name Black Mountain Symphony grew out of a silhouette view of the Heldeberg Mountains near Thatcher Park in Albany while driving home a few years ago from a practice session. Their first, self-titled CD was recorded at the prestigious Woods End Studio in Greenfield, with additional recording by Orion and his father John Kribs at their Blue Line studio in Hadley.
  
  Many CD's will claim to defy a specific genre label, but Black Mountain Symphony's redefines eclectic here. The music combines synthesized rock grooves with classic jazz rhythms and you don't have to listen too closely to hear Americana and bluegrass elements here either. Evidence of the rich diverse nature is found on their CD baby page, where in addition to samples of their eleven original songs you'll find the music recommended to both fans of the sounds of Fleetwood Mac and Yes. Enough said.
  
  It was officially released on November 20 last year at a show at Red Square in Albany, and since that time has received extensive airplay on regional radio stations as diverse as WEQX and 104.9 The New Edge, breaking out of the boundaries of the specialty shows devoted to local original music and into the regular rotations. Both CD's and album download cards will be available at their shows this week.
  
  For the future, a unique feature on Black Mountain Symphony's itinerary is a program which they developed to showcase their music called "Gr8 2B Young." This is a presentation which combines workshop and performance elements and will make its debut on February 17 at Adirondack Community College's Queensbury Campus. They have secured funding from Hudson River Community Credit Union to showcase this program to other area high schools and colleges at no cost to the school. Interested schools may contact Mr. Dennis Towers at (518) 584-4333.
  
  There are also upcoming dates in New York City as well as other Northeastern stops outside of the region. Full details are available at their website: www.blackmountainsymphony.com .
  
  Beyond that, BMS's next phase of audience development will have them appearing on the stage at more than a few regional and national festivals devoted to celebrating the diversity of original music. Their unique sound and dedication to their craft make it very easy to root for them.
  
  
  *View this article online: http://www.saratoga.com/today/2010/01/overnight-success-a-decade-in-the-making-black-mountain-symphony-is-right-on-schedule.html (this link no longer active)

• In the Clubs: Newly named Albany band builds momentum [+ Show ]
  

  Written By: Brian McElhiney for the Schenectady Daily Gazette, July 16, 2009 After nine years of ...Written By: Brian McElhiney for the Schenectady Daily Gazette, July 16, 2009
  
  After nine years of constant evolution, it appears as though Albany’s Black Mountain Symphony is finally settling down.
  
  If you don’t recognize that name, perhaps Justice Once will ring a bell — for about two years, the band went by this name; before that, it was known as Downstairs. Last summer, the band became Black Mountain Symphony, which was actually the group’s first choice early on. So far, it’ has been a good fit.
  
  “To tell the truth, with the new name, I think it fits us the most,” said keyboardist Bear Campo. “We’ve been getting more attention with this name; it’s more catchy and unique. There’s already another band somewhere called Justice Once. [The name] Downstairs was very complicated, like if you were playing a venue that was upstairs, the whole thing gets too complicated.”
  
  Since forming in 2000, the group has gone through numerous lineup changes as well, with Campo and his sister, Annie, on violin, being the only two constant members.
  
  Now with the addition of guitarist and bassist Orion Kribs, son of local folk luminary John Kribs, in the past year, the band’s membership changes, like its name changes, appear to be at an end.
  
  
  Mix of influences
  
  But while the group has stabilized, its music remains an all-encompassing mix of influences ranging from new age classical to blues. The band’s members, also including drummer Bill Palinski, share songwriting and singing duties, which makes for some interesting performances. They’ll be playing next at Valentine’s in Albany, with live guitarist C-Rolls, on Friday.
  
  “Sometimes during our live shows, we’ll play a song that sounds completely different from the next song we play, because of the different songwriters and different instrumentation, arrangement that goes into each one,” Campo said. “Some songs drop off the face of the earth and die out, but I think the sound still stays. And, in fact, I think the music has gotten better with the [new] musicians.”
  
  With intricate arrangements and mood shifts, the band’s songs combine Kribs’ folk and rockabilly background; Palinski’s time with jazz, punk and rock bands; Annie Campo’s classical violin and fiddle; and Bear Campo’s love of Yanni and John Tesh. Bear Campo calls the band’s music “symphonic groove pop.”
  
  “There’s a lot of arranging, a lot of different instruments,” he said. “More of it’s poppy, with happy undertones, but some of them are actually haunting. . . . You see with the ‘Fantasy’ song [an early demo on the group’s MySpace page], it’s very kind of dark.”
  
  The band’s first incarnation formed out of a performance at Rock Road Chapel in Berne. In the beginning, the group took on a more theatrical approach with epic-length instrumentals, but has since incorporated more danceable rhythms.
  
  “With the whole indie dance rock thing, a lot of indie bands have been throwing in dance beats, I’ve noticed on the radio,” Campo said. “I don’t know if that has influenced us. . . . I think we just want to see people dance and have a better time at shows. There’s only so far you can go with people sitting down enjoying your music, because people want to have a good time at night.”
  
  
  Making the violin work
  
  The band’s songs are usually written on piano or guitar, and fleshed out with other instruments. Adding violin can be a challenge sometimes, as it can clash with the vocal melodies, according to Campo. Annie’s playing is a major element in the group’s sound, and helps to set the band apart from other bands with violin.
  
  “I’ve noticed playing out with some bands that the violin is usually used as a fiddle; a lot use it either as a fiddle or for avant-garde, kind of experimental kind of things,” Campo said. “I haven’t heard people infuse classical violin in popular music — maybe in hip-hop, but not in pop or rock ’n’ roll as a major part of the music. There aren’t many guitar solos [in our music]; the guitar solos once in a while, but there’s definitely more violin solos than guitar solos in the band.”
  
  The group’s self-titled debut album, recorded by Charlie Eble and self-produced at Wit’s End in Greenfield, will feature a combination of new material and older songs that have been polished live for the past three or four years. The band has recorded itself on demos in the past, and with Eble’s help was able to learn from past mistakes.
  
  “We’ve taken notes on all our previous recordings throughout the years,” Campo said. “Those are more demos — I consider them garbage — but this one is definitely a professional, full-length, debut album.”
  
  Once the album is released, the band is planning a national tour, its first after having played extensively in the Northeast. And with a name and lineup finally locked into place, the band has seen its stock rise on the regional scene.
  
  “We haven’t had a momentum like this before,” Campo said.
  
  
  *View this article online: http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/jul/16/0716_intheclubs/

• Cabinfest Rundown 2007 [+ Show ]
  

  "Cabinfest veterans (Black Mountain Symphony) were finally able to bring their entire ensemble to An..."Cabinfest veterans (Black Mountain Symphony) were finally able to bring their entire ensemble to Andes, and it resulted in a mind-blowing set of remarkable songwriting, a sonic wall of noise, and a late night opening slot that showed why people leave Cabinfest each year with this band's songs stuck firmly in their shaken heads." (Cabinfest Rundown 2007 Jay Cowit, Kieren Murphy)

Setlist

Sets Range in Length. Black Mountain Symphony is able to perform showcase sets as well as full 3+ hour shows.

Performing Mostly Original Material.

Example of Set List:

1.
Cradle
Right Proper
Grandfather
Winter Nights
Good Fremin
Carolina
Possible Failure
We the People

2.
Stop Stopping
Popsicle
Mr. Monkeypants
Upstate
Window Paine
Tetherball
Scorched Earth
Foreign Forest Tongues
You Drive Me Home


Examples of Cover Songs Performed in the Past:
"Ready or Not" - The Fugees
"The Promise" - When in Rome
"The Lighthouse's Tale" - Nickel Creek
"The Fox" - Trad. / Nickel Creek
"Big Boss Man" - Jimmy Reed / Grateful Dead
"I Melt with You" - Modern English
"Rain" - The Beatles
"Buenas Tardes Amigo" - Ween
"Summertime" - George Gershwin
"Come Out Ye Black and Tans" - Dominic Behan / The Wolfe Tones

Basic Requirements

Calendar