Two Cents in the Till — 15 January 2020 on Rocket Shop Radio Hour

Two Cents in the Till joined host Tom Proctor on ‘Rocket Shop‘, Big Heavy World’s weekly local Vermont music radio hour on 105.9FM The Radiator. Catch up with them at facebook.com/TwoCentsInTheTill.

On Wednesday, January 15th, Two Cents in the Till showcased exceptional talent with the strum of some strings at Big Heavy World’s Rocketshop. Comprised of Kim on the banjo, Natalie on the mandoline, Ed on the upright bass, and Annabelle on the guitar, the group’s homegrown bluegrass was quintessentially intoxicating. Wielding an energy of their own, Two Cents in the Till showed Rocketshop how they’re at the forefront of the modern-day bluegrass movement.

The Vermont-based band kicked off the night with their first performance, “S Bar X (Cushman),” laying forth an almost haunting jaunt that’s reminiscent of the Eagles’ Hotel California. The song depicts band member Annabelle’s voyage to a bar past Albuquerque. However, this isn’t a song about the jaded characteristics of California, but rather about a seemingly lost-and-found love affair. The lyrics are magnificent at portraying the story, featuring lines like, “There’s a lake past T or C / sunk soul deep in mystery / Catfish so big that they’ll swallow me down” which then lean into the main chorus, containing my favorite lines, “We’re gliding ‘round in circles / Hell, but this here ain’t no square dance / He’s got boots that jingle spurs / Maybe he’ll dance me down some romance”.

Extending my lens to a wider point of view, I can appreciate how the lyrics inform the tunes that were skillfully performed. If there’s one thing I learned from Two Cents in the Till, it’s that the combination of these stringed instruments is magical.

“There’s a social aspect to this type of music.” says Kim in reference to what is known as “porch music”. The term derives from the times when neighbors or even a passersby would join one another to play music, typically stringed instruments, on someone’s porch. Annabelle, who once lived in New Mexico, says that despite New England’s music culture being tightly wound, she enjoys playing in Vermont. Kim, Natalie, and Ed, each chimed in with agreement, mentioning that this type of music fits in well here.

With this song, the group’s use of stringed instruments worked really well towards Annabelle’s intent - to tell a tale. The instrumentals spoke of the nostalgia that can permeate such love stories. The vocals added to this effect, unleashing the bittersweet sensation of lost-and-found love.

The band’s harmonization can be heard again in their second performed song, “It’s a Brighter Day,” an upbeat jig depicting a slew of playful imagery that is only strengthened by the cheerful and highly original instrumentals.

The female triad added a lot to their music’s effect, but most notably their harmonization seems to balance their music. There is constant harmony between the vocals and instruments, allowing for an organic synchronicity to be found in their tunes. Guitarist Annabelle mentions “We find balance through the harmonies and the way we put out instruments together. Plus we each bring something different.”

The group soon concurred that each brought a different creative impulse to the mix, which is readily seen in the variety of tonal landscapes each song propels listeners towards; a feat that articulates Two Cents in the Till distinct from other bluegrass musicians.

Contrary to the joyous imagery in the penultimate song, was that portrayed through the final song named 32. This performance sees banjoist Kim take the lead on vocals, receiving occasional harmonies from Natalie and Annabelle.

The song begins with a wistful banjo eventually to be followed with the rest of the instrumentals. With the intensity of the banjo and the intermittent and piercing harmonies, it’s easy to surrender yourself to the somber humor this song offers, which, Kim later revealed was inspired from a breakup. Among the bands three performances, 32’s intensity captivated Rocketshop in such a way that I can’t imagine the song’s vocals, harmonies, or instruments performed any other way. The song ends with the banjo and mandolin playing the same tune in a dancing cohesion. It felt like an emulsion, their notes so finely intertwined until the song’s end.

With each performance by Two Cents in the Till, we were showed different aspects of the bands skill; each song brought unique perspectives to traditional bluegrass music. Watching the group perform was refreshing.

You can see Two Cents in the Till at the Spice on Snow festival in Montpelier, on January 24-26. The group will be playing on Saturday, the 25th. If you’re a fan then you should also keep an eye out, as the group sometimes performs free shows around Burlington. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Two Cents in the Till.

Text by Jay Strek

Photo by James Lockridge.