On July 18, Jalopy Records will release Homegrown, the eagerly awaited new album from Cole Quest & The City Pickers – the folk-bluegrass ensemble led by Woody Guthrie’s grandson. Self-described as “roots music for the modern city,” Homegrown fuses three classic Guthrie compositions with richly wrought originals by Quest and select gems from the broader American songbook.
Though Quest grew up steeped in his grandfather’s legacy, he didn’t embrace folk and bluegrass until he stumbled into an Astoria pub and heard Guthrie’s songs brought to life by local pickers. He soon put together The City Pickers, a crack team of multi-instrumentalists whose buoyant harmonies, virtuoso banjo, Dobro and harmonica work underpin Quest’s thoughtful songwriting.
Today the band shares their spirited take on John Hartford’s “In Tall Buildings,” a video/single that celebrates escaping the cubicle grind and choosing a life of music. Christian Apuzzo, who handles lead vocals on the track, says, “This song became my mantra after discovering New York’s bluegrass scene. It reminded me to stop and smell the flowers – and to make music my full-time priority.” WATCH ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3JmgyPr0n4
Homegrown opens with Pete Seeger reciting Guthrie’s words before launching into a harmony-laden rendition of “Pastures of Plenty,” recorded at The Carriage House in Stamford, CT, and produced by four-time GRAMMY winner Steve Rosenthal. Quest’s originals – including the observant “Where I’m From” and the Portuguese-sung “Só Pra Variar” – draw on the urban tapestry of New York City, where Woody lived and wrote for two decades. The album closes with radiant takes on Guthrie’s “Philadelphia Lawyer,” Peter Rowan’s “Dust Bowl Children,” and Quest’s solo “My Peace” (lyrics by Woody, music by Arlo Guthrie).
Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show raves, “What a crack team of pickers and voices you have put together.” Arlo Guthrie adds, “Loved the record! It’s really good!” American Songwriter praises Quest’s integrity: “Skill and savvy… Woody would be proud.” WFUV’s John Platt notes, “While he embraces much of Woody’s legacy, Cole is very successfully forging his own path in music.” Tony Trischka lauds that Homegrown “keeps you coming back for more,” and composer David Amram enthuses: “This album reflects their musicianship and brilliance in making everything they play their own.”
Cole Quest & The City Pickers have shared bills with Billy Strings, Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz and Della Mae. They’ve appeared at the Brooklyn Folk Fest, Otis Mountain Get Down and Caramoor’s American Roots Music Festival, and toured Germany twice. Spotlight features on Folk Alley, WFUV and American Songwriter have cemented their reputation as one of New York’s most exciting roots acts.
HOMEGROWN TRACK LISTING HIGHLIGHTS
Pastures of Plenty (Woody Guthrie)
Where I’m From (Cole Quest)
In Tall Buildings (John Hartford)
Só Pra Variar (Azeredo/Costa/Seixas)
I Ain’t (Cole Quest)
Philadelphia Lawyer (Woody Guthrie)
Dust Bowl Children (Peter Rowan)
My Peace (Woody Guthrie/Arlo Guthrie)
TOUR DATES
June 10 — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
June 14 — The Guthrie Center, Great Barrington, MA
August 1 — Jalopy Theatre, Brooklyn, NY
August 16 — Long Island Bluegrass Festival, Amityville, NY
September 13 — Mountain Music Festival, Silver Bay, NY
September 19 — Brooklyn Americana Music Festival, Brooklyn, NY
September 20 — Rockland Conservatory of Music, Pearl River, NY
September 23 — Lily P’s, Cambridge, MA
September 24 — Nick-a-Nee’s, Providence, RI
November 1 — Tompkins Corners Cultural Center, Putnam Valley, NY
