All a musician can do is get closer to the sources of nature and so feel that he is in communion with the natural world.
This 1961 quote from jazz saxophonist John Coltrane is what Athens folk 'n roll band Vintage Green calls its manifesto.
Lead singer and guitarist Jakob Wells said his band's music is a kind of natural high. Vintage Green attempts to reach out and give the audience a feeling like the one a surfer gets after finally catching a wave.
It's music for the people
by the people drummer Rick Taylor said.
This folk 'n roll is strongly inspired by nature and the change of seasons, Wells said. The band's sincere tone and lyrics commonly use symbolism with birds, clouds and mist.
Vintage Green has evolved through its little more than a year in existence. The band started out as much more of a mellow, laid-back band. While the band still does songs from their earlier days, they retain their earlier feel while turning up the volume, Wells said.
It's a smart controlled loud
though
he said.
This diversity within the band's sound leads them to play in many different venues around Athens and other towns. Even though each venue usually has a specific genre it features, Vintage Green fits at many places.
We've got the mellow Donkey thing happening
Taylor said, but we can also rock at bars.
The evolution and dynamics of Vintage Green lend themselves to the range of perspectives within the band. From their different tastes and backgrounds, members bring many aspects to the band.
When the band was still in need of a drummer in its early stages, violinist and backup vocalist Angie Perley recommended Taylor to fill the spot. Wells said he wasn't sure Taylor would work out. Taylor had a deserved reputation of being a crazy drummer
but Wells said he has toned down his former eccentricities and now plays an integral part of the band.
While many bassists play wildly and others keep it simple, bassist James Bahleda is a rare breed that can do both, Taylor said.
Organist Ben Ashman contributes musical theory to the band. Having grown up in a house with a father who walked around quoting Bob Dylan lyrics, Ashman said his dad taught him not to use music just as background noise, but to appreciate it by itself.
Ashman now plays Hammond Organ, piano and provides backup vocals. The organ's mass is cumbersome ' the 200-plus-pound instrument takes four people to lift.
But it's so worth it
Perley said.
Vintage Green is playing this weekend with a band they admire, Southeast Engine. Engine, which shares a similar fan base with Green, pushes the band to be more experimental with their sound, Taylor said.
Vintage Green is playing with Southeast Engine, Quail and David Vandervelde of Secretly Canadian records. The show is at Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St, and starts at 10 p.m.
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