Whatever happened to homegrown flavor -where the roots of music dominated its sound?
Donna the Buffalo no doubt maintains that feeling. The band plays “American dance music,” which fuses together reggae, rock, country, zydeco, Cajun and folk with old-time fiddle music. The 17-year-old band brings this eclectic mix to The State Theatre tomorrow night.
Donna the Buffalo’s April release, Life’s a Ride, marks a new chapter in the band’s career. It is the first album with the band’s current line-up, which includes Jeb Puryear on guitar and vocals, Tara Nevins on fiddle, accordion, scrubboard, guitar and vocals, Kathy Ziegler on keyboards, Bill Reynolds on bass and Tom Gilbert on drums.
“It’s been another great growth spurt,” says Nevins of the new line-up. Life’s A Ride takes the listener not just on a musical adventure, but on a lyrical one as well.
In “Deeds of a Few,” Puryear flexes his political tongue. “I think we’re coming to the end of an era where one sector of society can dominate through force another sector of society and reap rewards and benefits,” he says, referring to the current administration.
The Nevins-penned “Blue Sky” is more about the good vibes the band hopes to spread through its music.
The upbeat chorus of “My, my, my, everybody gets high on love, love, love,” is just the thing to get a crowd on its feet.
Looking back in time, 1990 saw the band playing in the GrassRoots Festival after a friend was diagnosed with AIDS. The festival has raised more than $300,000 and has featured acts such as 10,000 Maniacs, John Anderson, Patty Loveless and Los Lobos.
The band is now embarking on a tour of the East Coast, which includes a stop at MagnoliaFest in Florida and several dates in the Northeast. Donna the Buffalo will perform at The State Theatre in Falls Church, Va. Tickets for the 10:30 p.m. show are $17. Fore more information, call (703) 237-0300.
