“Since the very beginning we've found a lot of support in the local food movement. Now that we are ready a cut an album we want to support the community that got us here.” These were the words of Andrew Brown, guitarist and front-man of The Appleseed Collective, speaking of the soon to be released album Baby to Beast in early 2012. A powerhouse of everything the band has come to symbolize, Beast encapsulates the Ann Arbor band’s first year of trials, tribulations, and growth, assuming the voices of a century’s worth of music with fresh perspective. “The blends of swing, bluegrass, Dixieland ditties and alluring gypsy-folk whirls – is something close to a transcendent listen…you’re there, on some dirtroad, being led on by these songs,” says reviewer Jeff Milo of iSpy magazine. The crowd-funded album has come with a green-thumb pledge of support from the band–they are donating half the profits from the first run of CDs to local non-profit Selma Cafe.
“Selma does wonderful work with local farmers,” said Brandon Smith–violinist, mandolinist and vocalist. “Their work over the last 3 years has resulted in the creation of over 20,000 square feet of year-round growing space.” The hoop-house spreading 501(c)3 is intricately tied to the band–they got their start playing Friday morning gigs for tips in the crowded Ann Arbor home where the Cafe part of the organization lives.
Formed in November of 2010 by the coincidental meeting of Andrew and Brandon, The Appleseed Collective got a jump on the scene through endless networking and connections with the underground current of house-shows, DIY Fests, and localist enthusiasts. Sophie Tulip added sweet lows and highs with double bass and vocals, and Vince Russo livened the group with his clackering washboard and raw vocal passion.
By the end of December, the band was already headlining at The Blind Pig, and have since shared stages with Steppin In It, The Ragbirds, Cuddle Magic, and Frontier Ruckus. May of 2011 saw the band embark on their debut tour–a ragged edge east coast gypsy caravan of a month which was amazingly successful through the force of sheer moxy. The band proved their DIY ethic could float by spending a week in each city of their tour playing on the street and making connections for the coming weekend’s show.
As summer drew to a close, the Appleseed Collective began making waves on the Michigan scene with appearances at Hollerfest and Earthwork’s Harvest Gathering. And in August of 2011 the band welcomed Katie Lee to the stage to complete the current lineup with warm vocals and cutting banjo.
Having just completed a successful tour of Florida, the band is ready to release their true debut, Baby to Beast. “This album is about everything we’ve been through, everything that’s come before us,” said Smith. “It’s all about staying true to our roots.”
