Full Cord, award-winning Michigan-based bluegrass band is bringing their hot instrumentation and sweet harmonies to the Chicago-area this Spring. On April 19th, they will be at the Law Office Pub with Wheels North opening the show.
Bluegrass Chicago connected with Full Cord about their upcoming Chicago-area show and new release. Check out one of our favorite tracks and read our Q&A below!
Hailing from Western Michigan, we are so happy to see Full Cord come around Lake Michigan to play in Illinois and Wisconsin! Give us the rundown on your upcoming dates over here and what brings you to the area.
FC: We usually end up playing a lot of shows in and around Michigan, so it feels good to get over to the other side of the big lake and do a few shows. We’re very excited to get to perform our debut in the Chicago area at the Law Office Pub on Friday April 19th. We don’t get down to Chicago that often, so we’re really looking forward to seeing some of our Chicago bluegrass friends. We’re headed over to the Ladies of Bluegrass festival on Saturday April 20th for their festival and are excited to be performing there alongside our label-mates The Stillhouse Junkies. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I hope that we’ll have some time to pick a few tunes with them.
You released your third album, Cambium, late in 2023 with Dark Shadow Recording. Tell us more about the new album. What was a highlight of that process?
FC: We had an amazing experience recording with Stephen Mougin and the Dark Shadow Recording team. The new album really showcases the sound of the band. The songs are almost entirely written by members of the band and some of our close friends which makes the album very personal for us. Some of the tunes really hit home for us, and Stephen made sure that was felt while we were recording. It was an amazing experience and we feel so lucky to be working together with them.
Where else are your tours taking you in 2024? What are you looking forward to this year?
FC: We will be performing all over Michigan as usual, but we are pretty excited about heading out to the west coast later this summer. It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a while and we’re glad to finally get the opportunity.
While you maintain a national presence through both touring and awards, tell us something you love specifically about the bluegrass scene in the Midwest.
FC: Specifically, I love how the music has really taken root in the Midwest. Even though it was born in Appalachia, I really feel like it has taken on a life of its own through the lens of the midwest. So many great bands are coming out of the area and it just shows how deep the roots here really area to do for a while and we’re glad to finally get the opportunity.