Carbon Leaf has to be one of the best kept secrets in folk rock. Although the band is now marking their 20th anniversary and has recorded nine albums, the Richmond-based group has never opted for the more commercial sound that would have launched them into the big time.
“We don’t release our music until it’s time,” said Barry Privett, the band’s lyricist. “”We always try to dig a little deeper than before and [let the music] grow.”
| Onstage |
| Carbon Leaf |
| When: 7:30 p.m. Friday |
| Where: Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria |
| Info: Tickets were sold out at presstime; some may be available from online resellers. |
Those that attend the upcoming concert can expect to hear a new song or two as well as some of their much-loved fan favorites including “Life Less Ordinary” and “The Boxer.” The band plans to release new music this year, including a full-length CD this fall. That means the band will likely introduce some of the new songs in its upcoming concerts. For a band that has built its reputation on live performances, it’s sometimes difficult to take the time to record. Yet, the band mates still sound as if they get a buzz over the demand for their recordings.
“Our core fans, who have sustained us through all these years, want new music,” Privett said. “For us, the future has us writing and recording as fiercely as will allow for a touring band.”
That’s not always easy. Carbon Leaf’s sound is something akin to a tapestry that mixes folk, rock, Americana, Celtic and bluegrass. The excitement over their major label debut “Indian Summer” was so strong that it put the band on a grueling tour.
“It’s good to play those shows [especially the ones] outdoors,” said Privett. “You have your fans that show up but you also have people who have been hanging out and catch your show. That’s what you want, to reach new people.”
Yet that tour was a mixed blessing because it didn’t allow the band time to experiment as much as they wanted to create their next songs.
That’s when the band mates took a step back and reconnected with their music and the recording process. The outcome was first heard on the critically acclaimed 2009 album “Nothing Rhymes with Woman” and last year’s holiday album “Christmas Child.”
“We’re just going to keep on touring,” said Privett, noting the band also recorded the majority of the soundtrack for the movie ‘Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey.’ “We’ve got some cool things going on.”
