LAWS OF GRAVITY represents a return to form for The Infamous Stringdusters, one of
the most successful bands to emerge from bluegrass in recent years and one that is
known for its incomparably tight yet improvisation-infused live shows. Over their decade
together, they have won three International Bluegrass Music Association awards, earned
a “Best Country Instrumental” GRAMMY nomination in 2011 and garnered widespread
critical acclaim.
LAWS OF GRAVITY was recorded in Nashville with Billy Hume (Ludacris, Ying Yang
Twins) in the co-producer’s chair. Band members Andy Hall (dobro), Andy Falco (guitar),
Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle), and Travis Book (upright bass) are
showcased as writers, singers, and players on an all original set of honest songs with
a fresh yet familiar bluegrass/Americana/progressive feel. Andy Falco explains: “This
is an important record for us, coming off the Ladies & Gentlemen project. That album
exposed us to a lot of new fans.” Ladies and Gentlemen featured a different female
guest vocalist on each track singers (including Joss Stone, Lee Ann Womack, Nicki
Bluhm, etc) and helped the group reach a broader audience and achieve mainstream
critical acclaim. Jon Pareles of the New York Times wrote: “The Infamous Stringdusters
is a virtuoso five-man string band, rooted in bluegrass but ready to stretch…the songs
are even better….”
By contrast, LAWS OF GRAVITY is a quintessential Stringdusters record with all facets
of the five members’ talents shining. “You write what you know,” continues Falco.
“We’re on the road all the time and there’s always gravity that’s keeping you grounded,
and pulling you home. The themes on this album stem from things that happen out on
the road, and the freedom we have to make music. We’re telling these stories of musical
nomads, all the stuff we like to do.” Of the recording process, Falco says, “We really
made an effort not to over-analyze and over-arrange the songs. We deliberately went
through the tunes and worked on them but kept them natural and raw as possible. This
record is the most honest representation of the band we’ve done.”