Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck to release Bottom of the Sky

Emerging from the dense forests of Vermont, Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck is set to release their sophomore album, Bottom of the Sky, on November 16th. Recorded in the studio of longtime collaborator and friend, Levon Helm (drummer of The Band, and legendary solo artist), Bottom of the Sky showcases the band’s seamless melding of alt-folk, rock, and bluegrass, making for an easy comparison to Blitzen Trapper, the Drive-by Truckers, and the Felice Brothers.

Featured tracks on Bottom of the Sky include the uplifting and mellifluous “Dawning” and the heartwarming yet not-too-sugary love song, “Epitome”.

For Bottom of the Sky, Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck worked alongside Justin Guip (Engineer on Levon’s Grammy-winning albums, Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt) for a second time, to recreate the magic he helped capture on the band’s 2008 self-titled debut. The new album showcases Bow’s recent exploration of his beloved Deering electric banjo and effects boxes to create tones unlike any other.

While the exact date of Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck’s conception is up for debate, the group did bud from former band, Elbow, a trio of Boston musicians that drew inspiration from the delta blues. Although Elbow disbanded in the early 2000s, member Bow Thayer went on to record numerous solo albums, one of which features Levon Helm on drums and Morphine’s Dana Colley on sax, while bassist Jeremy Curtis hit the road playing with the likes of Booker T and Howie Day. After their adventures concluded, Bow and Jeremy found their way back to one another and continued to jam, adding Jeff Berlin on drums, Chris McGandy on steel guitar, and James Rohr on the keys, forming what is now known as the Perfect Trainwreck.

Currently via its official website, Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck are debuting one song off of Bottom of the Sky each week for a mere $0.79. Once the final song on the album has been posted, the price of each song will raise to $0.99 with the physical CD and vinyl becoming available on November 16th.

Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck are presently playing a string of Northeastern dates in anticipation of the new album. See below for listings, but also keep your eyes and ears open for more information regarding a full tour in support of Bottom of the Sky!

Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck Tour Dates
10/15 Barnard, VT @ Barnard Town Hall (Green Blooded Film Fundraiser)
10/31 Cambridge, MA @ Atwood’s Tavern
11/13 Lebanon, HH @ Lebanon Opera House (Local Legends 2010)
11/20 White River Junction, VT @ Tupelo Music Hall (Album Release Show!)
12/04 Northhampton, MA @ The Basement



"Bottom of the Sky" by Bow Thayer - release date: 11/16/10..