I’m thrilled that “Fiery Gizzard”, my new record, is out today! I hope you’ll grab a copy and take a listen. It’s brought me immense joy, allowing me to integrate my upbringing in the traditional music world of Tennessee with my life as a dad/musician/human here in Durham. The process allowed me to invite my friends into the beautiful, creative worlds of some of the older trad players who shaped my musical identity. I hope the pleasure of these relationships and some shimmer of these long-gone artist’s excellence comes through for y’all.
I’m feeling immense love for the pals who dreamed this project up with me, especially the Dear Life Records crew, and for the people and communities who’ve sustained these beautiful traditions over the years. Oh yeah, I can’t wait to share this music in upcoming shows!
Much love and thanks to collaborators Stephanie Coleman (fiddle, banjo, vocals), Jay Hammond (guitar), Matthew O’Connell (drums, synth), Joe O’Connell (pump organ, guitar, vocals), Cleek Schrey (fiddle, pump organ), Libby Rodenbough (piano, vocals), Joe Dejarnette (bass), Kelly Pratt (brass + woodwinds), Andy Stack (bass).
Andy Stack and Matthew O’Connell produced the record. Mike Monseur mastered it. Natalie King created the perfect cover and layout from old images from Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau and other places—snag an LP or CD to get the full experience.
#banjo #folk #fiddle #oldtimemusic
We're really excited and beyond the moon to welcome Tennessee native Joseph DeCosimo on the 28th of May. He's playing at Fire in the Mountain festival at the end of the month, and we've been lucky enough to organise a special, intimate show at Bank Vault before the festival. A rare treat to catch a true legend!
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'Fiddler, banjoist, and singer Joseph Decosimo has introduced audiences around the world to the beauty and vitality of traditional music. Drawing on years of mentorship and community collaboration from his upbringing in Tennessee to his life in Durham, NC, he create music that NPR All Songs Considered describes as “classic and current at the same time” and “pushing the sonic boundaries of old-time music ... gorgeous.”
A leading interpreter of the fiddle, banjo, and song traditions from the Appalachian, and a student of the last master traditional musicians in his home region of Tennessee, Joseph draws on a deep well of creativity and repertoire to create fresh sounds. His performances are inviting and nourishing, connecting audiences to the music’s transcendent beauty. He also works outside of the traditional music world, and his playing can be heard on recordings by Hiss Golden Messenger, Wye Oak, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Elephant Micah, and more.
Fiery Gizzard, his 2025 Dear Life Records solo debut, reveals him as a powerful champion of traditional music:
“an exceptional album” - NPR Music
“...warm, fuzzy, fabulous” - MOJO
“There's no irony, no gloss – just an intuitive feel for time, tone and tune.” - SONGLINES
“an energetic, enchanting, and often joyful set that feels both timeless and otherworldly” KLOF (Best Albums of 2025)
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28th May
7:30PM
Tickets: Available via the link in our bio or through our website
#bankvault #aberystwyth #joseph
UK pals: I’m coming your way soon! Joe Danks will be accompanying me, and it’ll rock. We’ll play things from Fiery Gizzard + rare pieces from the American South, like this one. Some of these spaces are cozy and it’d be wise to snag a ticket.
21/5 - London @chatspalace@hackneyfolkclub
22/5 - Bristol @cafekino
23/5 - Nottingham @thegrovenotts
24/5 - Norwich @thehollowaynorwich
25/5 - Sheffield @cafe9
26/5 - Leeds @theatticleeds w Nora & Steph
27/5 - New Brighton @wearesupshop
28/5 - Aberystwyth @bankvaultaber
5/29-30 @fitm_festival
#banjo #folkmusic #oldtimebanjo #oldtimemusic #traditionalmusic
JOSEPH DECOSIMO + SPECIAL GUEST LIVE AT SUP
Already running low on tickets for this one - available from our bandcamp (link in the bio)
Incredible poster from @toucantango
fierygizzardmaxxing with these sweeties at the record release back in ‘25. 4/5 of us will be in Baltimore this Saturday @baltimoreoldtime Come see my new glasses that stay on my face better, even with my curly ray cline fiddle bop.
#oldtimemusic #folkmusic #banjo #fiddle
Artist Spotlight ⭐️ Joseph Decosimo & Stephanie Coleman ⭐️ Two of the most capable and compelling interpreters of Old-time music, Decosimo and Coleman have been making music together for nearly two decades. Joseph cut his musical teeth in East Tennessee folks like Charlie Acuff and Clyde Davenport. Stephanie spent her youth immersed in the rich fiddle traditions around Chicago and the Midwest. More recently, Joseph has performed in the Bucking Mules while Stephanie has worked with Nora Brown, the Red Squirrel Chasers, and Uncle Earl. In performance, they explore old songs and tunes with voices, fiddles, banjo, and pump organ, crafting immersive, patient renditions.
*On Saturday evening, the duo expands to a quintet as they invite Andy Stack of Wye Oak @wyeoakmusic , guitarist Jay Hammond, and synth builder and multi-instrumentalist Matthew O’Connell to join the ensemble for a very special performance.
Join your festival hosts and beloved local Roots musicians Ken & Brad Kolodner as they welcome you to the Baltimore Museum of Industry April 17-18th for a music celebration fun for all ages! Concerts, workshops, square dancing, jamming, food/drink vendors, kids programming and more on the gorgeous waterfront campus of the Baltimore Museum of Industry with stunning views of the Baltimore skyline. Join us! The festival is produced by the Center for Cultural Vibrancy.
I❤️Billy Button. It’s an old Georgia banjo song that trickled down to me from Jake Xerxes Fussell via Art Rosenbaum via Mary Ruth Moore via her grandfather Joseph Walker Graves.
#banjo #folkmusic #oldtimebanjo #traditionalmusic #oldtime
@josephdecosimo , a leading light in America's Old-Time tradition, stops by Nottingham this May for a gig at The Grove. Support comes from @rosiebrownhill and @emilyashberry .
"...warm, fuzzy, fabulous" ⭐⭐⭐⭐ MOJO
"There's no irony, no gloss - just an intuitive feel for time, tone and tune." ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Songlines
"Come for the pastoral vibes and timeless hooks, and stick around for the Americana masterclass." Bandcamp Daily
been gone so long-Virgil Anderson, the great bluesdaddy of the Cumberlands brought this to me on a fever dream of blues lix and 🚂 sounds. And I’m heading to the UK in May (includes a fiery gizzard band show and solo stuff). I’m excited
#banjo #oldtimemusic #blues
