The Urban Pioneers Brought a Frolicking Shindig to Poisonville Sounds Project
- Lisa
- Mar 3, 2018
- 4 min read
By: Lisa Geores
Date: February 26, 2018
Venue: Poisonville Songs Project, Zephyrhills Florida
The Urban Pioneers delivered Texas, Tennessee style, “Hillbilly Swing” music to this bedroom suburb as part of their current, worldwide tour. Their music and presence is that of a honeyed ambrosia. Rich, sweet, and uplifting, yet boisterous and flashy. At times, mellow, heart warming and reminiscent of days gone by. They bring listeners to an era when life was a bit simpler with sounds of early American string bands, mingled with their unique style and witty humor.
Urban Pioneers
The band and I had a friendly, engaging meet and greet. When I heard the sound check, I was immediately amazed by their big as life talent. The show was performed in an intimate audience setting with the interest of the friendly, outgoing listeners engaged by the band’s charismatic entertainment.
The band opened with “Never had a Waffle at The Waffle House”, a campy, playful song about hundreds of forays to the eatery, having consumed just about everything on the menu except waffles. This song, like many of their others, demonstrates ingeniously keen, song writing skill. For days, I’ve been musing over the possibility that I’ve never had a waffle at the waffle house and think there must be many in the same boat. Liz’s portrayal of a bristly waitress, offering a variety of waffles brought belly laughs from the audience along with clapping, toe tapping and high spirits.
Jared McGovern, a former Navy man from Tennessee plays the clawhammer banjo, guitar and sings. Jared plays the banjo in a unique manner, with the back of his nail and thumb. This lends to more of a strumming sound versus the picking of a resonator banjo used in more current day bluegrass bands. Jared’s banjo playing style is more of the traditional Appalachian playing which is more “simplistic” and “folky”. Jared flawlessly leads the band with the rhythmic, percussive, jingle-jangle sound. Jared also writes most of the bands songs but all members contribute their “flavor”. It astounds me that he remembers what comes to him and doesn’t have to write things down. His voice is well balanced, with both bright and warm qualities.
Jared McGovern
Liz Sloan, on fiddle and vocals, began Suzuki classical violin lessons at the tender age of three and transitioned to fiddling in 2010. During our interview, Liz explained that it was a somewhat difficult transition because while playing “violin” there is reliance on sheet music, precise notes and specific sounds you have to hear, whereas with fiddling, there is more room for creativity and what you want to hear. To “breakout”, Liz had to “let go” and she has masterfully mixed the two into her own distinct sound. Her incredible musical talent, singing and unique personality, a mix of home grown, Texas sweetheart and sassy comedienne, who gussies up in her cowgirl boots and twirly skirts makes her a truly fascinating entertainer.
Liz Sloan
Martin Sargent, who hails from Fort Worth Texas began his music career as a drummer, and now plays slap style, upright bass for the band. He throws down awesome thumps, rapidly alternating between slapping and pulling, holding down the rhythm. Slap style bass playing has its roots in “old school country” or bluegrass and slap jazz, but is very popular in the more modern, rockabilly genre. Martin considers himself a more modern player because of the speed and aggression in which the band plays.
Martin Sargent
The origin of the band name comes from a time when Jared and Liz moved to Pittsburgh to live with and play in the Jayke Orvis band. The band has toured all over the country with Jayke and joined in on several of his recordings.
Liz Sloan
On their second day in Pittsburgh, while at the laundromat, Liz had her phone stolen. Being new to the area, Jared and Liz decided to file a police report which brought an officer to their residence. Because of it being a “rough” section of town, the officer was rather boisterous and loud when questioning, “what are you kids doing living in this neighborhood, are you some kind of urban pioneers”?
Jared McGovern
Urban Pioneers are reuniting with Jayke at Moonrunners Festival, Reggies Rock Club in Chicago, May 4-5, 2018. They give Jayke credit for being a good friend and mentor, teaching them “a lot”.
Urban Pioneer’s record label is Uprooted Records. They have released four albums, the most recent being; Hillbilly Swing Music, in addition to; Feast or Famine, Vehicle In Transit and Addicted To The Road. All are available through their website and any major online music retailer.
During the winter months, Urban Pioneers primarily tour near home, in Texas. Starting this month, March, the band will begin their worldwide tour, all over the U.S.A., Canada and two weeks in Europe during November. To see their current tour schedule, click here. The stops include Walk This Earth Music Festival, at their Texas family ranch where Liz and Jared will be united in marriage. Westport Roots Festival, and The 8th Annual John Hartford Memorial Festival, among others.
Martin Sargent
When it comes to “Hillbilly Swing Music”, lively and charismatic entertainment for folks of all ages, Urban Pioneers undoubtedly fills the bill. I was brimming with nostalgia during their performance, remembering the days, on the family farm, in the summer heat, shucking corn and shelling peas, sipping sun tea while listening to “bum ditty beats” on a transistor radio. Urban Pioneers, are new to me and now, near and dear to my heart.
Liz Sloan
Urban Pioneers gave special thanks to their booking agent and to Henri Wong, who founded Poisonville Songs Project with the goal of promoting and facilitating independent musicians for the enjoyment of residents in the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas.
Connect with Urban Pioneers here to watch their videos, purchase merchandise, and to get all the latest updates. Subscribe to their newsletter and you will be automatically informed when they are performing in your area. Watch episodes of their T.V. show, High On The Hog
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