I remember how Chris was most comfortable with his mandolin in his hands. He was an energetic fella with a racing mind but when he picked up that mandolin his energy remained and became extremely focused. It was truly a magical experience to watch him come completely together the minute the music began to flow. I often said he was the only musician I had been around who had no barrier between his mind and his hands and that was the result of finding his limits musically and attacking them head on to push through. I think it was this approach that not only made Chris the undoubtedly singular musician he is but also was the vehicle to his success... and the impetus to the carnal music he delivers today.
The album Punch by the Punch Brothers is extremely heady stuff. The band consists of heady musicians. It's cerebral music that forces your undivided attention and challenges you as a listener to grow... to expand... and to accept. This IS Chris Thile as a musician. He has always been willing and intentionally focused on shoving the walls of any music to give him more space to move musically... heck, sometimes he crawls right out the window and plays outside while still keenly aware of what is inside those walls.
He has always placed himself around musicians who were willing and able to take this approach to music alongside him. Nickel Creek took a core of bluegrass and pushed it to pop, classical and jazzy deliveries and it made listeners learn, explore and accept new kinds of music. Many have said how Nickel Creek brought a whole new audience to acoustic music, bluegrass in particular and as a result those same listeners found themselves exploring bluegrass music further which expanded the genre's fan base.
Now, the Punch Brothers are bringing fans of acoustic music to a world of classical music... stopping just short of giving a complete lesson and leaving the listener to explore on their own the genre of classical music at their own pace. The journey of the Punch Brothers and their fans reaches into a new medium of delivery in an upcoming film to be released in 2010 to be titled How to Grow a Band.
From the films website:
How To Grow A Band is an up-close look at Chris Thile's daring new project and the musicians he has drafted to help him find his way. The film follows the new band, Punch Brothers, on their first tour as they debut "The Blind Leaving The Blind", Thile's four-movement suite with lyrics inspired by his divorce and the band's intense collaboration. On the road, Punch Brothers soon face questions about whether Thile can lead them –and his audience –where he wants them to go.
How To Grow A Band is a musical coming of age story. Beginning with Punch Brothers first show at a folk festival in Scotland and filmed over two years across twenty-five cities, the film explores the tensions between individual talents and group identity, art and commerce, youth and wisdom. An intimate portrait of dizzying young talent at a crossroads, How To Grow A Band is ultimately a film about growing up and starting over.
The Mark Meatto film is scheduled for release next year, 2010, and is produced by Michael Bohlmann and Mark Meatto. Dan Algrant was the executive producer. The film features the Punch Brothers: Chris Thile, Gave Witcher, Naom Pikelny, Chris Eldridge, Paul Kowert and Greg Garrison. Watch the trailer and get on the mailing list at punchbrothersmovie.com.
