Here Come the Guthrie Girls (w/ The Rear Defrosters)

People get ready, a new train is coming. After years of supporting Arlo Guthrie, their folk-singing, guitar-picking, storytelling father, Cathy and Sarah Lee Guthrie have made their way to center stage as the Guthrie Girls. They bring new songs and stories of their own to share in a style of music that leans toward country with folk roots. They carry the same melodic wit, charm and insight as their famous kin and their new music is a continuous river that flows from great creative musical traditions. Back in the day it was Woody who played fiddle and guitar in the honky-tonks of the Panhandle in Texas and Arlo wasn’t known as the ‘Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys’ for nothing. His ‘Son of the Wind’ and Dillards sessions offer further evidence of the folksinger’s country credentials.

The Guthrie Girls have branded a sound all their own that belongs alongside the best of today’s Americana music. They have planted their new roots in the Lone Star state of Texas and deep in the heart of the Austin’s Americana & alt-country music scene. Austin is the land of singer-songwriter Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt and Nanci Griffith. Today, Cathy and Sarah Lee are outlaws in their own right as they shake up their folk music pedigree with harmony driven country-laced songs and a band that is

worthy of their origins. They will echo influences of family and friends like Hoyt Axton & cousin Jack Guthrie.

Cathy has long been in a ukulele duo, Folk Uke, with Amy Nelson, Willie’s daughter. They have released three albums to date, tracks in feature films (Super Troopers 2, The Babymakers,) as well as a hit TV series (Orange is the New Black), and have toured frequently with legendary bands like The Jayhawks and X. Hailing from Austin, TX, they’ve been nominated for an Austin Music Award, and honored with an official “Folk Uke Day” in their hometown.

Sarah Lee took up guitar as a teenager determined to join in the Guthrie family’s legacy in music. Over the years, with her ex-husband, John Irion, she has developed her performing and singing skills shown on songs like, Hoyt Axton’s “In a Young Girl’s Mind” where she departs from folk singing straight land of country music in the tradition of Emmylou Harris and Kitty Wells. She has emerged as a gifted songwriter, evident in her recordings with Irion and her 2001 self-titled solo album. To get an outstanding sample of her songwriting talents, give a listen to the sweet country-swing of “The Honey and the Dew.”

Recently they have joined a burgeoning alt-roots-country scene at the Sam’s Town Point on the southside of Austin. As the two Guthrie Girls spent time singing there, a band of musicians gathered around to support them. A band soon formed. The result is a new collaboration and tour dates on the festival and club circuit.

It is certain, these sisters known as Guthrie Girls are bound for some glory of their own.

The Rear Defrosters specialize in authentic honky tonk, and rockabilly.

$20 advance | $25 day-of

*fees not included