Steep Canyon Rangers
Polished, high-energy bluegrass that balances traditional mountain picking with sophisticated songwriting. Perfect for wide-open spaces and porch-side afternoons.
Polished, high-energy bluegrass that balances traditional mountain picking with sophisticated songwriting. Perfect for wide-open spaces and porch-side afternoons.
This is the sound of modern Appalachia, where the tradition of the high lonesome sound meets the polish of contemporary songwriting. It feels like a crisp morning in the North Carolina mountains: bright, clear, and full of forward momentum. The music is anchored by incredible technical proficiency, but it never feels like a mere display of skill; there is a warmth and approachability that makes every track feel like an invitation.
What sets them apart is their incredible vocal blend. While many bluegrass bands focus on the lead picker, this group operates as a true ensemble where five-part harmonies are as essential as the banjo rolls. They have a unique ability to bridge the gap between the jam-band circuit's restless energy and the formal elegance of a concert hall, often incorporating subtle orchestral flourishes or pop-sensible melodies that expand the genre's boundaries.
Start with 'Nobody Knows You' to hear their Grammy-winning peak of traditional-meets-modern craft. If you want something more expansive and collaborative, 'Be Still Moses' showcases their ability to reimagine their own catalog with lush, soulful arrangements that prove bluegrass can be as big as a symphony.
Steep Canyon Rangers is an American bluegrass band based in Asheville and Brevard, North Carolina. Originally formed in 2000, the band has become widely known since 2009 for collaborating with actor/banjoist Steve Martin. SCR performed as a quintet for nearly a decade before intermittent touring began as a sextet with Steve Martin; the band still performs in both configurations. Steep Canyon Rangers have recorded nine solo albums plus two collaborative albums with Steve Martin. In 2012, their collaboration with Steve Martin, Rare Bird Alert (2012), was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. In 2013, the Steep Canyon Rangers' solo album Nobody Knows You won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. In May 2013, Steve Martin and SCR began performing with Edie Brickell after she and Martin co-wrote and recorded Love Has Come for You.
Shares fiddle, bluegrass, mandolin, country rock (signature)
Shares bluegrass, mandolin, fiddle, banjo (subgenre)
Shares syncopated banjo rolls, bluegrass, mandolin, fiddle (detail)
Shares bluegrass, mandolin, banjo, open field (subgenre)
Shares percussive acoustic strumming, bluegrass, fiddle, country rock (detail)
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