LOST RIVER

Release: UK - June 2008

DE/BE/NE - September 2008

TWO DOLLAR BASH

"TWO DOLLAR BASH"

Release in Germany:
Friday, 17-09-2007


TWO DOLLAR BASH

"ON THE ROAD"

Release in UK:
Monday, 10-09-2007

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No Fences, Germany, February 2008

"Echte Musik mit Herz und Seele von echten Musikern mit Herz und Seele" Christine Helmeke

Green Man Review, USA, December 2007

"This is heartfelt and very true Americana, and I bet they do a good live show." Gary Whitehouse

Songlines, UK, December 2007

The blue, blue grass of Scotland and Berlin

This is good ol' time American music. There is blues, folk, country and chugging R'n'B in here. The auras of Canned Heat, Woody Guthrie, Neil Young and Springsteen waft on the breeze. And ... there is an echo of the Rolling Stones down-home bluesy vibe in here. ..Two Dollar Bash consists of three Glaswegians and a Parisian (who does, tantalisingly, sing a great, uptempo blues number - "Roulez, Roulez" - in French, midway through the album) based in Berlin...

This is classic, big skies and bar rooms American music, and that is no bad thing. There are evocative songs here with harmonies, mandolin, banjo, guitar and particularly good harmonica playing from Matt de Harp.

Jazzwise, UK, September 2007

"What with their downhome laments, impressive three and four part harmonies and exemplary banjo pickin', Two Dollar Bash could be lifted straight out of the Appalachians. Turns out they're a – wait for it-Berlin-based acoustic/folk/country band, originally from Scotland and France, having evolved out of Prague collective The Oul' Bogwarriors. No yee-hahs, then (well, except for a few near yodels on the toe-tapping, harp-heavy „Old Mail Train“), just great original songs, fine musicianship and a wealth of influences ranging from North American folk blues and country with Celtic and European styles. Ex-buskers all, the four wield their different combinations of guitar, drums, mandolin, banjo and the rest to beguiling effect. Stand-outs include the see-y'all later track „Taking a Taxi“, the poignant ballad „Rosalyn“, the chugging „Ticket to Vilnius“. Intelligent lyrics tell of loss and longing, love and friendship, and always, of packing bags and moving on. The world is a musician's oyster, after all." Jane Cornwell

Sächsische Zeitung, Germany, November 2007

Americanischer Sound mit Europaischer Seele - die Band Two Dollar Bash spielt genau das morgen Abend ab 21 Uhr in der „Alten Bäckerei“ am Grosshennersdorfer Sportplatz. Die vier Musiker von Two Dollar Bash stammen ursprunglich aus Schottland und Frankreich und vereinen in Ihren Songs Einflüsse aus dem nordamerikanische Folk, Blues und Country, aber auch Keltischer und europäischer Stilrichtungen. Unplugged und bis zu vier Stimmen fasst Two Dollar Bash der intuitiven und expressiven Spielfreude freien Lauf. Ihr Handwerk haben die Bandmidglieder bei längeren Aufenthalt in Dublin, Prag und Grenoble in verschiedenen Folk-, Punk-, Rock- und Swingbands erlernt. Die Erfolge der Band können sich sehen lassen. Im September 2005 gewann Two Dollar Bash den „Rising Legend Award“ des 30. Old Time Country & Traditional Music Festival in Missouri Valley (USA). 2006 wurden sie als eine von vier Bands weltweit für ein Showcase zur “International Country Night” auf der Popkomm in Berlin ausgewählt. 2007 begann mit Auftritten in Irland, Belgien und Deutschland, gefolgt von einer ausgedehnten Tour durch die USA und Kanada auf den renommierten Musikfestivals South by Southwest in Austin (Texas) und der Canadian Music Week in Toronto.

Rootstime magazine, Belgium, September 2007

De heren van Two Dollar Bash spelen al sinds 15 jaar samen in verschillende combinaties. Heden ten dage verblijft de bende in Berlijn terwijl er toch geen enkele Duitser te bekennen valt in de groep. Hun landen van oorsprong zijn Schotland (3 leden uit Glasgow) en Frankrijk (één bandlid uit Parijs). Dit notoire gezelschap bestaat uit Tony Rose (gitaar, zang), Matt de Harp (mandoline, harp, gitaar, zang), Mark Mulholland (banjo, mandola, gitaar, zang) en Joe Armstrong (gitaar, bas, zang). Zoals je ziet: allemaal gitaristen en zangers en zo treden ze ook meestal op (zie foto), mooi naast elkaar zittend met elk een gitaar (of banjo) en een microfoon. Hun repertoire omvat een hele resem muziekstijlen zoals country, blues, folk, bluegrass, swing en rock’n’roll. In september 2005 wonnen ze de “Rising Legend”-award op het Country and Traditional Music Festival in Missoury Valley, Iowa. Vorig jaar deelden ze de affiche nog met namen als Patti Smith, Snow Patrol en Antony and the Johnsons op een groot popfestival in Engeland. De heren zijn uitstekende muzikanten die beïnvloed werden door de Noordamerikaanse folk, blues en countrymuziek maar die toch een eigenheid meegeven aan de originele nummers die ze op hun twee albums “Two Dollar Bash” en “On The Road” voor de toehoorders etaleren. Op het debuutalbum “Two Dollar Bash” van vorig jaar zit de cowboysound vervat in “Old Mail Train” en “The Devil And The Angel” en de ballads “Taking A Taxi”, “One Day I’ll Be Gone”, “Rosalyn” en “Ticket To Vilnus” vertellen over reizen, over de liefde en over vriendschap. Twee coversongs op dit album : “White Freight Liner Blues” van Townes Van Zandt en “Mountain Song” van Louisiana-singer-songwriter Jimmy Bozeman. Ook de nieuwe CD “On The Road” gaat op de ingeslagen weg voort. 13 songs waarvan 11 eigenhandig geschreven zijn en “Whisky” van Russ Miller gecoverd wordt. “I Am A Pilgrim” is een traditional in dit countrygenre die voortreffelijk gebracht wordt in een Springsteeniaanse Nebraskaversie door Two Dollar Bash. Mijn favoriete songs op dit album zijn “Put Your Hand In Mine” en “Wayward One”, beiden geschreven door Mark Mulholland en de New Orleans-cajunversie van “Roulez-Roulez” met mondharmonica en wasbord, geschreven door Matt de Harp, die ook verantwoordelijkheid heeft voor het mooie “So Blue” en het al even mooie “Time To Go” (met heerlijke banjoriffs). Two Dollar Bash is een gezellige bende die rustig en ongestoord verder bouwt aan een muzikale carrière die spoedig wel eens zou kunnen worden verder gezet in Amerika, het thuisland voor dit muziekgenre.
(valsam)

www.dorfdisco.de, Germany, November 2007

Es gibt sie noch, diejenigen, deren Welt schon morgens schlecht und unverändert gegen einen ist, gleich was man dagegen unternimmt. Diese, im amerikanischen als "Country" bekannte Sichtweise der Dinge ist auch die von Two Dollar Bash. Kein Lied in dem nicht von irgendeinem Trübsal oder Unglück die Rede ist, kein Zustand, der nicht von heilloser Leere und deren unvermeintlichen Abrutschen in Alkoholismus zeugt. Und wenn man schon unter einem Wolken verhangenen Himmel auf die Sonne wartet, dann tut man dies als gestandener Mann, dem nicht viel anhaben kann, keine unglückliche Liebe und auch kein tragisches Schicksal. Denn anhänglich sein, oder gar jemanden auf die Nerven fallen, das ist das Letzte was der dieser Haltung innewohnenden Ehrenkodex vorschreibt. Und so leben und spielen Two Dollar Bash abseits jeder Beachtung durch die Medien ihren Country und Folk vor ein paar Berliner Gleichgesinnten in den gleichen dunkelgrauen Stoffmänteln und klobigen Schuhen, deren Welt längst vom Fortschritt aufgefressen wurde. Was bleibt ist diese traurig schöne Mundharmonika, das durchgehende schwirren der Westerngitarre, das ab-und-zu anziehende Banjo und das nur selten, und wenn dann zart zu vernehmende Schlagzeug neben den ehrlichen, vom vielen Zigaretten, Bier und Whisky geschmirgelten Stimmen von Tony Rose, Mark Mulholland, Matt de Harp und Joe Armstrong. Gott hab sie selig will man sagen, wäre diese schon zweite CD in einem Jahr nicht so herausragend gut, dass sie damit bis nach Nord Amerika touren, auf das South by Southwest Festival eingeladen werden, während ihnen in Berlin gerade mal ein Gig vor 10 Freunden im English Bookstore Friedrichshain bleibt.

Twangfest, Nürnberg, festival announcement July 2007

"Was für ein Gedicht! „Two Dollar Bash“ sind eine schottisch/französische Band aus Berlin und spielen Old-Time Country mit akustischen Instrumenten. Stellt euch einfach vor, „Dillard & Clark“ machen eine Session mit den „Byrds“ zu Zeiten von „The Sweetheart of the Rodeo“ mit Gram Parsons. Dann rührt und schüttelt es zusammen, und heraus kommen die unglaublich fantastischen „Two Dollar Bash“. Was für ein toller Flow! Sie sind es!"

Properganda Magazine, UK
June/July 2007
Introducing album "Two Dollar Bash"

Fresh from their riotous and rapturously received appearances at this year's South By South West festival (Austin) and Canadian Music Week (Toronto), this three parts Scottish to one part French quartet are ready and raring to continue their plan to take the roots/Americana world by storm.

Their blend of folk, country and blues combined gorgeous three and four part harmonies has won them critical acclaim as well as several prestigious awards. The band's constant touring has honed their craft and the songs featured on this album are ample proof that their time in the transit van has been justifiably spent. The giggin doesn't show any sign of letting up just yet and the band will be in the UK for some summer festivals, including the Wychwood festival.

There are many highlights but cuts like the Johnny Cash imbued 'The Devil And The Angel', opener 'Waiting For The Sunshine', 'Old Mail Train' and the oft covered, Townes Van Zandt penned 'White Freight Liner Blues' burn brightest.


Folker!, Germany
May/June 2007
About album “On the Road“

"Kommen drei Schotten und ein Franzose nach Berlin – was machen sie? Träumen von Amerika, natürlich! Jedenfalls was die Mischung betrifft, die nun auch auf ihrem Zweitling wieder zu hören ist: Country, Cajun, Folk. Dazu schon von der Herangehensweise ein ordentlicher Schuss Rock ’n’ Roll, wenn auch strikt unplugged. Das aber ganz volle Kraft voraus!"


Lolo Wood, music journalist
About album "Two Dollar Bash", May 2007

"The sounds of downbeat country-influenced Americana are now such a part of the average musically-savvy listener’s vocabulary that it’s easy to forget how refreshing it was 10 years ago to hear bands admitting to being influenced by Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie and even Gram Parsons. And it’s too easy to bypass another band with banjo, mandolin and harmonica in their ingredients when they’re now such common currency by every bandwagon-jumper taking a stab at “authenticity”. But Two Dollar Bash have a licence to give out a button-badge reading “We’ve Been Doing This Since Before It Was Trendy” with every copy of their eponymous album.

Organically sprouted from an early 90s Prague-based acoustic band with the wonderfully evocative moniker The Oul Bogwarriors, Two Dollar Bash are three Scots and a Frenchman who intuitively pick up on the nuances of American country, folk and rock that can trace a direct lineage back to the folk music of their own countries. They have a natural instinct for simple, haunting melodies, with narratives revolving around road trips, ailing relationships and the eternal internal battle of good and evil. The Devil and the Angel is a beguilingly old-fashioned up-beat lament about one man’s fight to be good in the face of temptation in the shape of whisky and women that would not be out of place on an early Johnny Cash record.

Although they have earned those button-badges by immersing themselves in the music and imagery of rural America, their own urban roots and the individual members’ foray into wistful indie and dirty rock’n’roll occasionally cheekily pop their heads over the parapet. Mark Mulholland’s inventory of “a packet of biscuits, an old tin of beans, a sackful of memories and a handful of dreams” sounds more like the contents of Belle & Sebastian’s tour bus than the cargo of a wagon-train, while the exuberance put into their take on Townes van Zandt’s White Freight Liner Blues reveals a band who could just as seamlessly knock out a Stones or Stooges tune with the same aplomb.

Mulholland’s fragile, Dylan-tinged vocals sit comfortably next to Tony Rose’s deeper, more authoritative tones, but both pin down the emotional intensity that this kind of music thrives on. Just because it’s been done before doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done again, and again, if you really mean it".

B y Lolo Wood

Torontoist, Canada
Mar 2007
Review from Canadian Music Week (8th of March 2007)

"Next up at Rancho Relaxo came Two Dollar Bash. Comprised of three guys from Glasgow and one from Paris who are all currently living in Berlin, it was a bit intriguing that their sound is self-described as folky americana. With harmonicas, guitars, and mandolins at hand, their songs were of an ever-changing style. First they had a classic country western sound, and then they morphed to old time rock and roll sung in French, before settling
on a sound that seemed strangely like that of Holly McNarland. Despite the spontanaety, or perhaps because of it, this entertaining set invoked images of eating in a rusty spoon diner while on a road trip to nowhere".


AMERICANA-UK.COM
Jan 2007
"Scrunge Grass rules and Bush gets lambasted!
I Am A Pilgrim’ is a traditional song that’s given a Springsteen like ‘Nebraska’ feel, who in turn must have given it his own spin. The opener ‘Sacrifice’ shows off Matt de Harp’s skills on the harmonica. He’s aptly named. The title track and ‘Whiskey’ have interchangeable guitar breaks and are pretty much the same. ‘Abstinence Blues’ displays some fine picking whilst encouraging people to do other things and not consume alcohol. A good idea for us all this time of year.
However the stand out track is ‘So Blue’ which unfortunately includes the f word, so alas I can’t
play it on my radio programme. ‘Long Time Coming’ is also another stand out, with some mighty fine banjo picking coupled with insightful lyrics. ‘Roulez Roulez’ as you’d expect, brings the Cajun feel to the album and is up there with the better ones. Two of the three best songs have been written by de Harp".

Date review added: Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Reviewer: Phil Edwards


TRADITION, the magazine of the National Traditional Country Music Association, USA
by Bob Everhart, Jan+Feb 2005 issue.
" I’m not going to spend a lot of time re-reviewing this great CD, because I did once. This group from Berlin, Germany, is pretty folky in their approach to music, but it’s the same kind of original folk creativity that Bob Dylan had when he started. I want to reiterate to this group, that if they are planning a trip to the USA try to be with us at our festival in 2005 (Aug 29-Sept 4) because this year we are going to be on overload with talent buyers, that are looking for all kinds of new talent, not just country. two dollar bashcould easily be country, but I like their folky approach to their music. They have a banjo, but it’s not bluegrassy. Some really strong acoustic guitar. Lots of energy in their work, and some very poignant words in their lyrics. Come see us two dollar bash, we have a stage with your name on it, but not much money".