The Last Bison’s new Dorado EP is now public and streaming in full via SoundCloud. The band is self-releasing the EP this coming Tuesday, March 3, and will be kicking off a cross-country U.S. tour the following week (dates below).
Dorado is the follow-up release to their 2014 full-length VA (album stream), and was named after a constellation in the Southern sky. Like the songs from VA, the new EP is full of more experimental percussive elements than their earlier work. Muted chimes and hammered banjo are blended with anthemic vocal harmonies, full strings, and explosive percussion in a way that transcends the folk sound into far more cinematic rock.
The Last Bison is a seven-member ensemble led by Ben Hardesty, and seemingly rose from the marshes of southeastern Virginia to captivate listeners in 2012 with a rare blend of folk that is poetically steeped in classical influences. The band is also a family affair, with Ben sharing the stage with his father and sister.
The bands’ live shows transport audiences from typical music venues to another, less familiar era. Rich melodies accent unabashedly spiritual lyrics… and traditional folk instruments resonate with unexpected arrangements, sharing the musical space with lush family harmonies, classical strings, and powerful earthy percussion.
3/12 – Asheville, NC – New Mountain Theatre
3/13 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
3/14 – Birmingham, AL – The Nick
3/17 – Dallas, TX – Prophet Bar
3/18 – Austin, TX – SXSW
3/19 – Austin, TX – SXSW 3/20 – Austin, TX – SXSW
3/22 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom
3/23 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah
3/24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Mint
3/25 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar
3/27 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
3/28 – Seattle, WA – The Tractor Tavern
3/29 – Boise, ID – The Linen Building (Treefort Music Festival)
3/31 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
4/02 – Ames, IA – The Maintenance Shop
4/03 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean
4/06 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Café
4/07 – Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Winery
4/09 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
4/10 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
4/11 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall