The Capitol Hill Community Foundation-sponsored outdoor concerts return to Eastern Market this Sunday May 2 with a performance by the group Dead Men’s Hollow. The six-person bluegrass band is making a reappearance at the outdoor venue which is a favorite of band member and Hill resident Amy Nazarov.
The Band Dead Men's Hollow at Congressional Cemetery
Amy is one of the four women who harmonize for the group but is quick to explain that everyone sings or picks at one time or another.
The band began life as a more rock oriented ensemble in 2001 and lost and added members along the way. The present group got together in 2007 and has created a folky sound with tight harmonies, perfectly described as “the Carter family meets the Andrews sisters” by one writer. The formula has brought them loyal fans and critical acclaim, not to mention multiple Washington Area Music Association (WAMMIE) awards and nominations.
They play a variety of venues from bars and festivals to the Birchmere in Alexandria. Increasingly their calendar is filling up with house concerts in which fans remove the midleman and book their favorite musicians on their own and invite their friends.
The band had released three CDs which will be available at Sunday’s show. The songs are a mix of originals and classic songs. They will soon be releasing an album called Angel’s Share consisting entirely of originals. Everyone in the band wrote a song for the album which has a gospel feel mixed in with the occasional murder-ballad. “With four women in the band you know there has to be a song about some man getting killed.” joked Nazarov. The album’s title, Angel’s Share, is a reference to the portion of alcohol that evaporates into the air during the brewing process.
The Eastern market show on Sunday goes from 10:30-12:30 a perfect time slot to showcase those new gospel tunes. At 1pm the blue act Memphis Gold and Jay Summerour will take the stage. For a complete list of this season’s performers check out the schedule here.
Ah, great news! Spring is here to stay and Dead Men’s Hollow is back at the market. C’mon Sunday!