Spirit Family Reunion is a band from Brooklyn, New York influenced by traditional American music such as country, folk and gospel. Founded in 2009 by core members Nick Panken (vocals, acoustic guitar), Maggie Carson (five string banjo, vocal), and Stephen Weinheimer (washboard, bass drum, tambourine, vocals), and featuring a rotating cast of musicians such as Ken Woodward (bass, vocals), Or Zubalsky (drums), Noah Block-Harley (fiddle, vocals), Dylan Block-Harley (drums, vocals), Mat Davidson (fiddle, accordion, mandolin, vocals), and Pete Pezzimenti (drums, vocals).[2] They have referred to their style as "homegrown American music" and "open-door gospel", and are often compared to bluegrass, country and appalachian music.[3][4][5][6]

Spirit Family Reunion
Background information
OriginBrooklyn, New York
GenresFolk, bluegrass, country
Instrument(s)Vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, bass drum, washboard, tambourine, fiddle, accordion, bass, drums
Years active2010–present
Members
  • Nick Panken
  • Maggie Carson
  • Stephen Weinheimer
  • Ken Woodward
  • Or Zubalsky
Past members
Websitewww.spiritfamilyreunion.com

History

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The band started out as Panken and Weinheimer playing with different people each night at the bar where they worked, and eventually became Spirit Family Reunion.[7] Officially formed in 2010, Spirit Family Reunion has self-produced and self-released two full-length albums, No Separation (2013) and Hands Together (2015).[8] They have toured with bands such as Trampled by Turtles, Levon Helm, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Dr. Dog, The Felice Brothers, and Alabama Shakes and performed at the Newport Folk Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Celebrate Brooklyn!, FloydFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Flood City Music Festival, The Buckle Up Music Festival, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, and the Americana Music Festival & Conference among others.[9] They played a Tiny Desk Concert in 2012 and took part in the Bob Dylan in the 80s project. They were also featured in issue No. 34 of The Deli Magazine in 2013.

Discography

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Albums

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  • No Separation (2012)
  • Hands Together (2015)
  • Harvest Festival Live (2016)
  • Ride Free (2019)

Extended plays

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  • Spirit Family Reunion (2010)

Singles

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When My Name Is Spoken 7"

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  • When My Name Is Spoken (2010)
  • On That Day (2010)

I Want To Be Relieved 7"

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  • I Want To Be Relieved (2012)
  • Green Rocky Road (2012)
  • Goin' Out To Cannon Ball (2016)

References

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  1. ^ "Spirit Family Reunion". freshgrass.com.
  2. ^ "Put Your Hands Together for Spirit Family Reunion". cleveland.com.
  3. ^ Greene, David. "Spirit Family Reunion: Music For Church Basements". NPR Music. NPR Music. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  4. ^ Minkin, Jay. "Put Your Hands Together for Spirit Family Reunion". No Depression. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  5. ^ Horowitz, Hal. "Spirit Family Reunion: Hands Together". American Songwriter. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  6. ^ Jackson, Michael. "Brooklyn 'buskers' Spirit Family Reunion are Bangor-bound". The Irish Times. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Kristen. "A Beer With Spirit Family Reunion". A Beer With the Band. A Beer With the Band. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  8. ^ "About". Spirit Family Reunion. Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  9. ^ Leahey, Andrew. "Hear Spirit Family Reunion Sing Away Blues With 'It Does Not Bother Me'". Rolling Stone Country. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
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