Tim And Devin's Year In Review: Part Deux

Every year some bands will cease to exist, some will move out, and some will climb the ladder of success. Here were some of Charleston's more notable changes of 2013.

Departures:

Crowfield, Slow Runner, and Explorer’s Club all announced they were going to disassemble and scatter their parts all over the map, to various degrees. Josh Kaler of Slow Runner and Parker Gins of Crowfield both seem to be headed to Nashville to pursue other projects. Tyler James Mechem of Crowfield is headed back north with his wife and new baby for an opportunity to run the family business. Other members of each band seem to be lingering around and making connections with other musicians. We’ll miss those leaving, encourage them to stop back and resurrect their projects from time to time, and look forward to what new entities arise.

(Crowfield)

Also, Megan Jean & The KFB decided to follow their gypsy souls and have relocated to Atlanta, or Savannah, or Tennessee. We think their business is to move from town to town, becoming the “new” band around in every city and then move on. True gypsies they are, and we wish them well.

On The Road Again:

Some bands get to take their acts far from Charleston. Stop Light Observations performed at the Bonnaroo tent reserved for fast rising groups. A Fragile Tomorrow performed at SXSW, went on tour in the US with K’s Choice and Toad The Wet Sprocket, then toured Europe with K’s Choice. Heyrocco went total DIY, loaded in a van and went all over the eastern US, finding a reputable management company and recorded some songs that should be released sometime in 2014.

Major Players

Shovels and Rope went from being a local duo who couldn’t sell out the Pour House to one that sold out the Charleston Music Hall, performed on Letterman, won Song Of The Year at the Americana Music Awards, played a Tiny Desk Concert on NPR, got themselves a decent record deal, recorded with Jack White, and basically kicked ass.

(Shovels and Rope)

Band Of Horses 2012 CD Mirage Rock peaked at #13 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and #4 on Top Modern Rock/Alternative albums. A live acoustic performance of the band from The Ryman Theatre last year is slated for release next month, to be followed by an acoustic tour.

Sadler Vaden, formerly the frontman for local group Leslie, continues to produce solid music. He’s a full time member of Drivin’ and Cryin, who released Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock last year. Sadler was also picked by former Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell to go on tour last year, which included a performance on Letterman.

These are just a few of the  Charleston bands that have come and gone in the past year. Stay tuned for the continuation of Tim and Devin's Year In Review.

(Images via Junkyardopera.wordpress, Facebook, and Americansongwriter.com)