Twang Darkly
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Twang Darkly

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Music

Press


"The Sound of Secret Names: A Strong First Album from Twang Darkly"

"The Sound of Secret Names (Mar. 2012), the first studio album by Shreveport-based rock trio Twang Darkly, breaks out of the standard mountain dulcimer folk repertoire with songs that could just change the way we view this unassuming Appalachian string instrument... Futreal, Messina, and Boultinghouse have created something that’s both entirely original and rooted in musical traditions from Appalachia and the American southeast. We look forward to future releases from Twang Darkly, and hope to see them at SXSW next year." - Apsara Music


"Review of Devil's Stomping Ground"

"Devil's Stomping Ground is a perfect soundtrack for a long drive. Futreal deftly conjures big city grit and backwoods spirit while allowing the mountain dulcimer to serve as a tour guide through the wild and untamed landscape." - Dulcimer Player News, vol. 36, 4, Fall 2010


"10 Must See Acts that'll Make Your Summer Sizzle"

"... some of the musicians and entertainers who are solidifying Shreveport's reputation as a great music city well into the next century." - The Forum, June 27, 2012, pp. 34-35


Discography

The Sound of Secret Names
2012, Twang Darkly

Live from Wire Mountain
2011, Twang Darkly

Devil's Stomping Ground
2010, Michael Futreal

Dulcimers Are Go
2008, Michael Futreal

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Bio

Twang Darkly uses mountain dulcimer, banjo, guitar, upright bass, gourd, harmonica, flute, and drums to create original, instrumental Appalachian fusion rock. Twang excels at improvisational live performance, which it can offer in 1 to 4 hour shows.

Michael Futreal, founder of Twang Darkly, draws upon a quarter century of playing mountain dulcimer, guitar, banjo, harmonica, flute, and oddities such as oil-can and gourd instruments to craft the band's original tunes.

Joel Boultinghouse and Troy Messina complete the trio. When not spinning shimmering guitar tapestries, Joel anchors the band with powerful, expressive upright bass. Troy inspires foot-tapping with drumming and percussion that’s precise and off-the-hook in equal measures.

Twang Darkly is available for booking in both private and public venues and can perform comfortably in either amplified or acoustic formats. Twang instrumental creations can be enjoyed either as the primary focus within a room or as a soundtrack that allows for conversation. Additionally, Michael Futreal is available for Twang Darkly solo performances, drawing upon a large original repertoire and a fluid approach.