The Black Twig Pickers take it to the dancefloor on ‘Whompyjawed’, offering long-form, highly rhythmic and deeply layered takes on traditional fiddle and banjo music.

Joined by some of the musicians who frequent the Southwest Virginia square dance and flatfooting scene – fiddler Sally Morgan and bassist / guitarists Sam Linkous and Joe Dejarnette – and by a troupe of accomplished feet percussionists, the Twigs work up propulsive and mesmerizing versions of two side-long songs.

‘Merry Mountain Hoedown’ is an old-time rocker with Mike Gangloff and Sally Morgan’s duo fiddles sawing atop a careening bed of pounding feet and furiously locked-in banjo, guitars and bass, while ‘Brushy Fork Of John’s Creek’, with Sally fiddling and Mike banjo-ing, wanders more spectral (but no less ferocious) territory, with Nathan Bowles’ washboard and Isak Howell’s guitar and mouth harp guiding a long and shifting mix of clattering drone.

Following two instantly sold out Record Store Day releases, 2011’s Black Twig Pickers / Glenn Jones split LP and this year’s ‘Yellow Cat’ 7”, The Black Twig Pickers return with two new songs in the form of a limited LP.

‘Whompyjawed’ is nearly 25 minutes of old-time rollicking barn dance numbers packaged in a proper 12” jacket with a free download coupon, and limited to only 600 copies worldwide.

The Black Twig Pickers keep company with many of America’s underground heavyweights and hold their own with the old-timers too, constantly playing at country fairs, barn dances, and even for the National Council For The Traditional Arts.

The Black Twig Pickers have toured extensively in the US and Europe, on their own and also with Jack Rose and Charlie Parr.

The Black Twig Pickers’ Mike was a founder of the long running drone / noise / folk unit Pelt (along with Jack Rose). Mike and Nathan still perform as Pelt today, and Isak has previously performed in the group as well.

“The spirit of true traditional American music” – No Depression

“For The Black Twig Pickers, steeping themselves in history doesn’t dampen the impact of the music – it magnifies it” – Pitchfork

“Beautifully hand-rendered” – Uncut Magazine

“Some of the best old-timey music around” – Magnet

“Exciting old-time music at its finest” – Bluegrass Unlimited