The Valley Roots

In addition to Isbell, LaborFest will feature 22 other Shoals-related acts, including The Valley Roots as opening artists. - Al.com

http://www.timesdaily.com/life/article_6b5bfdca-e140-11e3-9eaf-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

The Valley Roots headlines Singin' River Brewing Fest - Timesdaily

The Valley Roots at First Friday festival - Listerhill

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. -- The band just formed about seven months ago.

And the members are only ages 19 to 23, but Muscle Shoals act The Valley Roots is playing a showcase during South By Southwest, the annual Austin, Texas conference/festival that's one of the biggest music industry events of the year, and commonly referred to in print as SXSW.

"We're actually playing with The Swampers (the iconic rhythm section) from Muscle Shoals Sound," vocalist Brittany Letsinger, 23, says of the gig. "It's going to be cool getting to hang out with them and hear them play."

The Valley Roots are schedule to play 7:20-7:45 p.m. March 14 at The Stage On Sixth Patio (located at 508 E. 6th St. in Austin), as part of a "Muscle Shoals Showcase." In addition to Letsinger, the band's lineup features guitarists Christian White and Edward Armstead, drummer Quinn Stamphill and bassist CJ Anderson.

The group's musical influences include The Rolling Stones, Etta James, Wilson Pickett and John Mayer.

Daniel Horton, who co-founded Harvest record label Dirrty Apple Records with Jake England, first saw The Valley Roots during a 2012 performance at Florence's Pegasus Records.

"We were just blown away," Horton, 28, says. A graphic designer by day, he's calling from his home office. "I had seen a lot of great shows last year - the Civil Wars, Alabama Shakes - but (The Valley Roots) put on the best live show I'd seen all year. They all had a really engaging personality onstage. They don't just play, they throw a party. Come to find out later, that was only the second show they'd ever done."

The Valley Roots have released a four-song EP, available as a free download on Dirrty Apple's Facebook page. The material was recorded at the Nutthouse Recording Studio in Sheffield.

"Everyone in our band is a singer and a songwriter," Letsinger says. She and the rest of the group are lounging at Stamphill's home when she's reached via phone for this interview. "Sometimes it goes to three- or five-part harmonies."

So how did Dirrty Apple Records manage to get The Valley Roots, which didn't even exist eight months ago, a SXSW gig?

"I'd attended SXSW for the last couple years as a fan," Horton says, "and from talking to bands there, it was easy to see it was all about networking. The Shoals is a great and growing music community, and The Valley Roots have been able to network through Cherokee Lair, 6 Degrees of Muscle Shoals, and other talented local bands to make this happen. "

Both of North Alabama's biggest breakthrough acts from the last couple years, the Civil Wars and Alabama Shakes have previously performed at SXSW.

Of course, Litsinger shares a first name with a well-known North Alabama female singer, the Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard. I ask Letsinger if Howard is an inspiration to her. "I think she's pretty awesome," she says of Howard. "She just goes out and does her thing and doesn't care about what anybody else thinks. She knows who she is. And yes, she's inspirational. The Shakes are incredible."

Letsinger is jazzed about The Valley Roots being part of a new wave of Muscle Shoals music.

"Everybody in Muscle Shoals is kind of like a family, and the new sound of Muscle Shoals is really exciting to be a part of. If one band makes it, we all kind of make it."

More: thevalleyroots.com, - www.al.com

The Valley Roots at the W.C. handy festival. - wchandyfestival.org

Born out of both modern rock and southern soul, The Valley Roots are leading the way in the new revitalization of the Muscle Shoals Sound. Hailing from the tri-cities area, The Valley Roots combine the best of the old and new schools in a unique sound that’s made from southern rock, funkadelic rhythms, and sweet soul music joining together. When The Valley Roots play, there is something for everyone to enjoy. - Helen Keller Festival

The Valley Roots headlines "Singing on the Square" in Athens! - http://www.athensplus.com

The Valley Roots at First Friday festival - Listerhill

The Valley Roots at the W.C. handy festival. - wchandyfestival.org

Born out of both modern rock and southern soul, The Valley Roots are leading the way in the new revitalization of the Muscle Shoals Sound. Hailing from the tri-cities area, The Valley Roots combine the best of the old and new schools in a unique sound that’s made from southern rock, funkadelic rhythms, and sweet soul music joining together. When The Valley Roots play, there is something for everyone to enjoy. - Helen Keller Festival

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. -- The band just formed about seven months ago.

And the members are only ages 19 to 23, but Muscle Shoals act The Valley Roots is playing a showcase during South By Southwest, the annual Austin, Texas conference/festival that's one of the biggest music industry events of the year, and commonly referred to in print as SXSW.

"We're actually playing with The Swampers (the iconic rhythm section) from Muscle Shoals Sound," vocalist Brittany Letsinger, 23, says of the gig. "It's going to be cool getting to hang out with them and hear them play."

The Valley Roots are schedule to play 7:20-7:45 p.m. March 14 at The Stage On Sixth Patio (located at 508 E. 6th St. in Austin), as part of a "Muscle Shoals Showcase." In addition to Letsinger, the band's lineup features guitarists Christian White and Edward Armstead, drummer Quinn Stamphill and bassist CJ Anderson.

The group's musical influences include The Rolling Stones, Etta James, Wilson Pickett and John Mayer.

Daniel Horton, who co-founded Harvest record label Dirrty Apple Records with Jake England, first saw The Valley Roots during a 2012 performance at Florence's Pegasus Records.

"We were just blown away," Horton, 28, says. A graphic designer by day, he's calling from his home office. "I had seen a lot of great shows last year - the Civil Wars, Alabama Shakes - but (The Valley Roots) put on the best live show I'd seen all year. They all had a really engaging personality onstage. They don't just play, they throw a party. Come to find out later, that was only the second show they'd ever done."

The Valley Roots have released a four-song EP, available as a free download on Dirrty Apple's Facebook page. The material was recorded at the Nutthouse Recording Studio in Sheffield.

"Everyone in our band is a singer and a songwriter," Letsinger says. She and the rest of the group are lounging at Stamphill's home when she's reached via phone for this interview. "Sometimes it goes to three- or five-part harmonies."

So how did Dirrty Apple Records manage to get The Valley Roots, which didn't even exist eight months ago, a SXSW gig?

"I'd attended SXSW for the last couple years as a fan," Horton says, "and from talking to bands there, it was easy to see it was all about networking. The Shoals is a great and growing music community, and The Valley Roots have been able to network through Cherokee Lair, 6 Degrees of Muscle Shoals, and other talented local bands to make this happen. "

Both of North Alabama's biggest breakthrough acts from the last couple years, the Civil Wars and Alabama Shakes have previously performed at SXSW.

Of course, Litsinger shares a first name with a well-known North Alabama female singer, the Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard. I ask Letsinger if Howard is an inspiration to her. "I think she's pretty awesome," she says of Howard. "She just goes out and does her thing and doesn't care about what anybody else thinks. She knows who she is. And yes, she's inspirational. The Shakes are incredible."

Letsinger is jazzed about The Valley Roots being part of a new wave of Muscle Shoals music.

"Everybody in Muscle Shoals is kind of like a family, and the new sound of Muscle Shoals is really exciting to be a part of. If one band makes it, we all kind of make it."

More: thevalleyroots.com, - www.al.com