Driftwood / Sam Robbins

Driftwood, from the Binghamton, New York, music scene, is a band with a rock ’n’ roll soul and a folk art mind. Carving out a name for itself with electrifying live performances, it brings one of the most unique, raw sounds to the Americana/roots music scene. Incorporating upright bass, banjo, acoustic guitar, and violin, the ghost of traditional American folk music lives on in Driftwood’s palette. But the melodies, harmonies, and lyrics are something else entirely.

Formed in 2005, the band spent four years playing just about anywhere it could. “We just wanted to be able to play for any crowd and turn heads,” says banjo player Joe Kollar. Since the release of its debut album, Rally Day, in 2009, the band has spent most of its time on the road. With club and festival appearances alongside of artists such as Bela Fleck, Old Crow Medicine Show, Rusted Root, the Wailers, and Emmylou Harris, Driftwood has been making serious waves on the East Coast scene. With the release of its second album, A Rock & Roll Heart, in 2011, the band landed spins on a slew of radio shows and stations.

In November 2012, Driftwood started work on its third album. Despite a grueling tour schedule and very little time at home, the recordings were finished in summer 2013. The self-titled album was recorded in a church outside of Ithaca, New York, with Grammy-winning engineer Robby Hunter.

The band followed that with two albums, Live at Grassroots 2014 and City Lights, the latter of which was released in November 2016.

Sam Robbins is a New England–based Americana/country singer-songwriter whose smooth, intriguing vocals are reminiscent of artists far beyond his 21 years. Described as James Taylor meets Jason Isbell, Robbins continues to gain considerable attention as he tours around New England and beyond.

Watch Driftwood’s music video for “Skin and Bone”: