"We make stonebilly folk music . . ."
That's how Buffalofitz describes itself on Twitter (@Buffalofitz). Now, I have no idea what the hell "stonebilly" even means, but I'm a huge fan of making up words for musical genres so I'm all about it (btw, chubwave = next big thing. . . get it? BIG thing? Man, I crack my CheeseCore ass up).
Apart from being all about the word "stonebilly," I'm also all about the sweet and home-style sounds that come from Buffalofitz, an Oklahoma City duo comprised of Fitz Jennings and Buffalo Rogers. Their MySpace distinguishes the two by the following description: "Buffalo is a dirty Hillbilly, Fitz is a filthy Yankee." I mean, how can that NOT equal collaborative gold?
Their latest EP, Belle of St. Louis (Part 1), is available now as a FREE download. So head on over to BelleOfStLouis.com and grab it while you read the rest of this. And please do read the rest. I promise no more chubby jokes.
Instead of trying my best to explain to you the front-porch-in-springtime-night feeling I get from Belle of St. Louis, (and before I string too many more words together via-hyphen), watch this performance from The Helium Project. Your own eyes & ears can do a much better job than my clumsy words, I'm sure:
Call it folk, roots, americana. Call it "stonebilly" or what you will. Music like this goes beyond genre labeling and transcends dated trends. The word "timeless" is defined by music such as this. Folk-tales in song, this is music of the land and of the people, "dirty Hillbilly" and "filthy Yankee" alike.
The EP is strong through all tracks, but it's the 6th and final song, "Merle Haggard T-shirt," that completely carries this Okie boy to hillbilly heaven. The beauty of a girl in faded jeans and an iconic outlaw t-shirt inspires this tale of the road musician, the change of seasons and the newness of love. Lyrics like "the pay is too short and the road is too long" and "love worth building is worth building slow" are sung over music that is basic, yet beautiful-- just like its blue-jean wearing muse.
Again, let me shut my trap and let the music do it's thang:
Further Notes:
- My favorite lyric: "And I know Oklahoma can sure be lonesome, but us Hillcats always give it our best."
- Produced by Travis Linville
- Buffalofitz also perform for children at libraries and festivals, spreading the heritage of their music to other generations. Important, yes?
- The official album release is April 29th at VZD's (with Sheree Chamberlain, another Oklahoma great).
- They'll be in the Tulsa area for Mayfest this year.
- Buffalofitz.com
- BelleofStLouis.com
