For those unaware, Cole Quest and the City Pickers are a group of New York City musicians connected by friendship and a love of bluegrass.

Quest, grandson of the folk icon Woody Guthrie, has brought together a collection of eclectic pickers who have gained recognition on the local scene.

Performing both Quest's original tunes as well as traditional favorites, the City Pickers bring their special brand of high-spirited talent to the stage, with up-beat, knee-slapping energy and a high-lonesome sound that’ll leave you wanting more.

After recording at NYC’s renowned Magic Shop studio and releasing their debut album in 2017, the group has created their first EP, Self [En]Titled (due out April 16th, 2021 via Omnivore Recordings), with the help of Grammy®-winning producer Steve Rosenthal and Grammy®-winning engineer Michael Graves.

Recorded in January of 2020, in person at Brooklyn’s Conveyor Studios by recording engineer Jason Borisoff, and produced by Rosenthal, the 6 track EP, Self [En]Titled, contains witty originals and crucial covers for the modern listener.

1. 'Ostrich Therapy'
2. 'The Bitcoin Gambler'
3. 'Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key'
4. '7-11 / Foggy Mountain Rock'
5. 'My Sweet Little Girl'
6. 'If I Still Had You'

Opening on the gently frenetic 'Ostrich Therapy,' which take the perspective of someone attempting to hide from the problems of this world (or simply just 2020!), they back that up seamlessly with the hamronica-driven 'The Bitcoin Gambler,' a John Prine-imbued, modern take on old gambling songs with modern references to the perils of the cryptocurrency market sewn into every lyric.

Next up is their re-envisioned Woody Guthrie/Billy Bragg cover, 'Way Over Yonder in The Minor Key,' now instilled with a more bluegrass ensemble in mind and led by the power house vocals of Christian Apuzzo, and that is followed by the only instrumental on the EP, their homage to the bluegrass legends, Flatt and Scruggs, '7-11 / Foggy Mountain Rock.'

This vibrantly authentic EP then rounds out with the quieter pacing of 'My Sweet Little Girl,' an ode to the struggles and pain of losing a beloved animal companion, closing on the more traditional bluegrass setting found within 'If I Still Had You.'

The core band resembles a slightly modified take on the traditional 5 piece bluegrass band, consisting of dobro (Cole Quest), guitar (Christian Apuzzo), banjo (Mike Mulhollan), harmonica (Matheus Verardino), and bass (Larry Cook). The album also features the likes of the incredibly talented Sam Reider (organ and wurlitzer), Sean Trishka (drums), and Erik Alvar (bass).

Official Purchase Link

Cole Quest And The City Pickers - 'Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key' Official Video

Omnivore Omnivore - Cole Quest 'Self [En]Titled' Official Trailer

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