The Tiller's recently celebrated the 10 Year Annniversary of their acclaimed record 'Hand on the Plow,' and are gearing up for a celebration show at Northern Kentucky's Southgate House Revival. We spoke with founding members Mike Oberst and Sean Geil to learn about some of their influences and favorites. You can listen to the full playlist HERE.
John Hartford - “Up On the Hill Where They Do the Boogie”
"The Aeroplane record (Aereo-Plain, 1971) is another life changing record for us and was pretty out there for bluegrass when it was released in 1971. It featured some of the best players on the scene, but it had this loose and free feel to it that you just didn’t hear on other records, and the songwriting was so good and just really interesting. This song is a hoot and a good reminder that it’s ok to have fun and be silly with your art, and not take yourself too seriously." - Mike
Spirit Family Reunion - “Green Rocky Road”
"New York City’s Spirit Family Reunion was one of our favorite bands to play with back in the day. Their shows were filled with passion and jubilation, and left your heart filled with love and hope. No Separation is a beautifully Lo-Fi modern string band record, stacked with wonderful original songs, but their take on this traditional folk song is one of our favorite things ever put to tape." - Mike
Guy Clark - “Dublin Blues”
"I just think this is one of the greatest songs of all time. I’m particularly fond of the line, “I have seen the David, seen the Mona Lisa too, and I have heard Doc Watson play Columbus Stockade blues”. In 2010 we got to open for Doc in Todd, NC. A week later we opened for Guy at the Whispering Beard Folk Fest. When he sang that line, it leveled me." - Sean
Hackensaw Boys - “Alabama Shamrock”
"I first saw Hackensaw Boys nearly 20 years ago at the old Southgate House. Love What You Do had just come out and I picked up a copy. That show and album had an immense impact on me and quite literally changed the course of my life. This song in particular made hitting the road and playing music with your friends seem like one hell of an adventure. Come to find out, it absolutely is." - Sean
Swingin’ Utters - “Fruitless Fortunes”
"These San Francisco Bay Area punks left their mark on me at the early age of 15 after seeing them open up for Social Distortion. I first bought the album, A Juvenile Product of the Working Class and loved the raw street punk power that it delivered but the more I discovered their catalog of work the more aware I became of the intricacies in their music, blending accordion and fiddle and the feel of the sea and old ancient things. What struck me most was the lyrical depth in the songwriting. What also caught my eye was the album art designed by singer Johnny Bonnel. Fast forward to 2019 when the giddy Tillers end up opening a punk show for the Utters followed by Johnny designing the artwork for my solo album release of Six Feet of Earth, later that year. Talk about full circle. Love and thanks Swingin’ Utters!" - Mike
Grab your own copy of The Tillers 'Hand on the Plow' Ten Year Anniversary Re-Issue from our
web-store or Bandcamp!
'Hand on the Plow' Ten Year Anniversary SofaBurn Exclusive Edition
'Hand on the Plow' Ten Year Anniversary Bandcamp Exclusive Edition
