Darol Anger's Republic Of Strings

Republic of Strings 2010

Somewhere beyond or behind all musical borders lies a creative terrain where bluegrass, jazz, classical, pop, and various world musics mingle, played by musicians who care more for inspiration than they do for genre. If that place has a name, it's surely the Republic of Strings, for no one knows its contours better than musicians Darol Anger, Scott Law, Mike Block, Lauren Rioux, and a tightly knit community of young brilliant string players. They have created the visionary musical landscape of Generation Nation, the group's second album for Compass Records. Drawing from an array of sources that includes Ornette Coleman, Scandinavian string bands, Aretha Franklin and the quartet's own members, the Republic of Strings documents a unique intergenerational exchange. Compelling musical textures, elegant solos and vocals all emanate from a startlingly diverse group of guests. "There's a lot of respect and love going on among the players," says Anger, "and I think it comes out in the music." One listen proves that he's exactly right.

The Republic of Strings's music emerges from the deep empathy that has developed among its members over nearly three years of concert appearances and informal exchanges. Anger notes that "we've been out playing everywhere for years now. In any group that's been working together for a long time, you develop an extra-sensory perception of what the other person is going to do. And it's the deep nature of string band music to foster this."