Appalachian Powerball is the debut album from Monticola, a band formed from four disparate elements in Athens, GA. They’re from Georgia, technically speaking, but of a wider provenance in the spiritual sense: a triangular region encompassing the rural plains of the Midwest to the high balds of Virginia down to the swampy mouth of the Savannah River. The album’s nine songs are a three-way split between the three singer-songwriters in the band.
Other highlights of the album include guest appearances from Athens musicians like John Neff (Drive-By Truckers, Japancakes, Star Room Boys) on pedal steel, Jay Gonzalez (Drive-By Truckers, Possibilities, Nutria) on Organ, and Dane Hildreth on banjo.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Monticola about their new album, challenges, technology and more. Appalachian Powerball will be available June 14th (2019).
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
Monticola is based, physically and spiritually, in Athens, GA. All of the members of the band have lived there at one point or another and that’s where we came together, before some of the members moved away. This album was recorded in Athens and features some notable Athens musicians on it. The musical heritage of Athens is woven through the album in a literal sense, but also in the influences of the town and its scene on the songwriting and sonic palette of the album.
We call our sound “Maximum Americana.” It’s amped up hillbilly music or rock with a twang. There’s a common appreciation for the alt-country sounds of the 90s (and beyond), but the songwriting also takes inspiration from other genres. The common theme, lyrically and musically, is the sound and experience of rural America.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Caleb Keith: I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making music in some form or fashion. This band and project has been fun because I appreciate Eddie, Drew, and Dave as players. I also really love the way the songs of Eddie, Drew, and I play off each other. For this album, the collection of songs represents a diversity of experience in Southern life. For me, that’s really interesting. It’s also a bunch of fun to play with these guys. It’s hard not to love making music with your friends.
Eddie Watson: Like Caleb, music was always around growing up. My mom and her siblings were together on many weekends, playing mostly old time and bluegrass, so that was always present, but by middle school, college radio had made it onto my radar, so playing and combining genres has just been something I’ve done from the start.
Drew Albenesius: I was a guitar player and music enthusiast from an early age, but didn’t get into playing in public until shortly after graduating from college. I formed a folk-rock band with a childhood friend in Aiken, South Carolina. It was short-lived, but it got me started down the road of songwriting and performing. Since then, I’ve stayed busy, playing in a number of projects, and my musical journey has taken me to Athens, GA (where I met the guys in Monticola), and then to Nashville. What motivates me to keep going are the awesome memories I’ve created through playing music, and knowing that there will be more to come.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
CK: To me, the goal of this release was to capture the sound and spirit of a band that had played together for several years in Athens (before we all moved to new locations). I think it started off as a way to document time and energy spent together, but it sort of took on a life of its own during the process.
EW: Each of us had written a lot of songs in a range of contexts, so as we gelled and got stronger as a band over the past couple of years, part of our idea became to look at our collective catalogue and simply select our strongest songs to record. All nine songs evolved significantly, sonically, as a result of that process, but it left us with a record that is really strong from start to finish. We also took our time and really listened to the evolution of the songs. We ended up back in the studio several times, changed things, added elements, and brought in pedal steel and keys on several of the songs.
DA: For me personally, this release is the most rock-oriented that I’ve played a part in, and the first where I’ve shared songwriting duties. The level of collaboration has been the most enjoyable part of creating it.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
CK: To me, the biggest challenge of being an indie musician is finding a way to rise above the noise. Because it’s becoming increasingly easier to record and distribute music, it’s also becoming more challenging to grab listeners’ attention and find a space to be heard. The flip side of that is the answer to the second question; technology has made it far easier to reach a wider audience. It has also allowed us to collaborate, now that we live in four different states.
DA: I think a big challenge is having faith that the work that you put into marketing and promotion will eventually pay off, and not getting discouraged if the impact isn’t as large as you hoped.
What was the last song you listened to?
EW: I had to jump back to my phone to see what was last playing. My last song was “The Mercy Wheel” by A.A. Bondy. I really love that “When the Devil’s Loose” record. Spooky, loose, lo-fi wall of reverb.
DA: “In Dreams” by Sierra Ferrell – an independent singer/songwriter from West Virginia.
CK: “18 Wheels and a Crowbar” by BR5-49.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
CK: It honestly depends on the setting. For me, they each have their time and place. When I’m at home and want to absorb music, I’m usually spinning vinyl. I love going to record stores and find new releases and old gems. If I’m going on a road trip, it’s usually CDs; my wife and I will pick a bunch out before we leave and then shuffle through them while we’re on the road. MP3s are useful when trying to filter through a bunch of different songs, artists, or albums.
EW: I prefer Vinyl, but it’s ultimately not convenient. MP3s dominant my listening patterns. I’m in the car a lot and in front of my computer; it’s just so easy to open iTunes and select random play.
DA: I mostly stream music, but vinyl is my favorite because it makes more of an event out of listening to music, and it pretty much forces you to listen to the album as the artist intended.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
CK: Again, this is somewhat dependent. As a fan, I find Spotify and Apple Music to be easy to listen to and find new things I like. As an artist, Bandcamp tends to be more profitable. I’ve had more luck with it as a solo artist and with other bands I’ve played with.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via our handle @monticolamusic. You can also visit our website: www.monticolamusic.net. We’re also on Bandcamp and available through other streaming services.
Anything else before we sign off?
We hope people check out the album and hope they dig it. We’re proud of it.
