Brothers and frontmen Brian and Bob Sumner share a bond that requires no flattery — a family pact that keeps their music honest and authentic.
Their coming release I Love You, Smile holds true to what their devoted fans around the world know and love: the raw grit of steel string guitar and banjo, the lonesome hum of a harmonica, Bob’s haunting tenor croon, the devastatingly low baritone of brother Brian. This collision of sound forms the beautifully twisted roots of the Sumner Brothers, who will appear with Carolyn Mark on Feb. 26 at Joe’s Garage in Courtenay.
It is their commitment to authenticity that first drew the brothers to country, folk, roots and blues music. Finding inspiration in the style of Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, and Neil Young, Bob and Brian began writing songs. They transformed their garage into a recording studio and created the DIY record that would change their lives.
Accidentally released to the public in 2006, In The Garage, became an underground sensation, garnering the attention of longtime hero and future collaborator Sam Parton (The Be Good Tanyas) and charting in the top 10 for Folk/Roots/Blues on Canadian college radio.
With a suddenly fired-up fan-base and a sprawling tour schedule, the brothers released Self Titled Debut in 2008. Surrounded by wildlife and fueled by barbecue and beer, Bob and Brian created a true alt-country gem — a live-off-the-floor recording set in a tiny cabin on Galiano Island with Parton on the mandolin.
The album placed in the Province newspaper’s 2008 top 10 list. Girl in the Window won Best Alt-Country Song at the ninth annual Independent Music Awards and haunting ballad Ticket to Ride was included in Music BC’s 2010 compilation.
In 2010, the brothers released In The Garage II - Your Last Chance. Much like its predecessor, In The Garage II digs deep into the Sumner Brothers’ archives of recorded material.
The record was featured in Slowcoustic’s top Canadian records of 2010 and received 4.5 stars from Americanrootsuk.com.
This year will welcome the release of the brothers’ second studio effort, I Love You, Smile. Though it was recorded in a much bigger cabin on a much bigger piece of land, the tenacious Sumners insist they have not strayed from their roots.
The new release, produced by Derek Difilppo (Laura Smith, Star Captains, Five Alarm Funk), will feature guest performers Jim Black (Star Captains), Bill Patton (J. Tillman, Fleet Foxes) and Chris Mason (The Deep Dark Woods).
The album will also include Colorado Girl, a track originally recorded for More Townes Van Zandt by the Great Unknown, a compilation of Townes covers out of the U.K. featuring contributions from The Be Good Tanyas, The Great Lake Swimmers, Kate Maki, J. Tillman, Neal Casal (Ryan Adams), Phosphorescent and The Deep Dark Woods.
The Sumner Brothers and Carolyn Mark perform Feb. 26 at Joe’s Garage in Courtenay. Music starts just after 8 p.m. Advance tickets for this show are $15 and can be found at Bop City Records or reserved by calling 250-702-MILO (6456).
— Joe’s Garage