What better way to cap off 2020 than with a murder ballad? So declares EllaHarp, who has become something of a For Folk’s Sake favorite over the past year. With ‘Shotgun Sadie’, Ella continues a long-standing folk and bluegrass tradition with a song written from the perspective of a woman who kills her abusive husband. Featuring hearty stringwork from the False Bottom Band, it’s a bonafide Americana jam that swaps EllaHarp’s usual—well, harp—for a banjorific center.
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The False Bottom Band have their own captivating origin story, dubbing themselves a “beergrass” group that was formed during quarantine by the owners of Hop Dogma. ‘Shotgun Sadie’ is a quarantine jam from a quarantine band, and a fiery good one at that.
Words by: Jonathan Frahm