Joe Crookston with Great Aunt
What strikes one first about Joe Crookston‘s performance is the intensity. There is a palpable force behind the music that makes you sit up and take notice. On top of that there is a sense of poetry and spirituality to his lyrics, and some pretty credible guitar chops and vocal power to lend support to his writing.
Great Aunt comes to us from Australia: raw and austere, simple and bold, full of stomping feet, clapping hands, chants and harmonies. Formed in 2016, the duo is a collaboration between songwriters Megan Bird (mandolin, resonator, acoustic guitar, vocals) and Chelsea Allen (double bass, vocals, percussion). Together, they draw inspiration from the traditions of folk, bluegrass, and gospel music, with homage to their diverse backgrounds in punk, jazz, roots, and soul.