Today we’d like to introduce you to Country Cruel
Hi Country, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ernie and Zach grew up together, becoming best friends from an early age. Around 2008, they happened upon Ben and his bass in the midst of a food fight one night at Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival. Once things calmed down, the music began.
In the years since, we’ve played together and been pulled in different directions by separate projects. Ben’s been traveling far and wide with Celtic punk-grass outfit the Tan and Sober Gentlemen, while Ernie’s had success with critically acclaimed old-time jug band the Piedmont Regulators. In 2016, Brie befriended Zach just as she was moving to North Carolina. She then joined Zach and Ben in Americana band the High Bushy Tails. Once the pandemic hit, the guys had some time to slow down, social distance, and play again. They wrote enough songs to cut an album and asked Brie if she’d add some harmonies when it came time to record. We decided to keep her around, and the rest is just history in the making. We’ve played shows both big and small, forging friendships with all kinds of folks across the Piedmont and beyond.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Interestingly enough, the smoothest it’s ever been was probably during the pandemic when we began playing again. We liked what we were writing and how the songs were sounding, but we had nowhere to play. Slowly but surely, people and places started feeling bold enough to safely host shows. We recorded our first album in 2021. When restrictions did ease up, we were able to debut those original songs with an album release party at the Kraken in Chapel Hill in 2022. It’s been smooth sailing more or less since then, except for life’s curveballs and lack of time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We play alt-country music. Sometimes it’s a little thunderous and in your face. Other times, it’s a little slow and bittersweet. But we do what we do unapologetically. We have a direct connection to central North Carolina’s signature country music sound. If you boiled down Jimbo Mathus, Dexter Romweber, and the Two Dollar Pistols, you might get something like us. And we are proud to carry on that heritage.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Bring extra drumsticks and guitar picks. Just kidding. The most important thing to each of us is finding joy in what we’re doing and sharing that joy with other people. At the end of the day, we simply love being able to play music with friends despite anything life might be hiding up its sleeve. We try to cut our losses, celebrate our successes, turn up the volume, and let the rest melt away.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://countrycruel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countrycruel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CountryCruel
- Other: https://countrycruel.bandcamp.com/album/best-damn-thing-on-sale
