Now Playing: Arkansauce’s ‘OK to Wonder’

Arkansauce is readying for the release of a new album. It's titled OK to Wonder and has a drop date of April 21st. But first, for those of you not yet familiar with the act in question, a bit o’ background.

Arkansauce

According to online sources such as their official website, Arkansauce is an Arkansas-based “progressive string quartet.” The band roster includes Tom Andersen on bass, Zac Archuleta on guitar, Ethan Bush on the mandolin, and Adams Collins on piano and banjo. Each artist also contributes lead and harmony vocals according to what works best on each individual piece.

Bush noted: “We are a band that spends most of our time in the back of a van hurtling toward long nights, good times, and a destiny unknown.” The act’s rockin’ resume features four other audio offerings including their debut disc 2015’s All Day Long and the previous platter 2019’s Maybe Someday. They won the 2021 Arkansas Best Bluegrass Artist of the Year in the Arkansas Country Music Awards and have toured both in the US and Europe.

Signature Sound

Arkansauce’s current signature sound is a blend of multiple music genres including Americana, bluegrass, country & western, and (in this case anyway) even a bit of funk. When they sit down to compose, their efforts center on creative string leads, comparatively complicated melodies, and strong bass work. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to song lyrics.

The band is inspired by numerous sources including their home state and their touring. Bush briefly spoke about the group’s source of inspiration. He said: “From a young age we were huge fans of live music and were introduced to a lot of great music by our families.”

Bush added: “Our inspiration is gathered by events unfolding in our own adventures in real-time. These days, the desire to create, inspire, and redefine within our scene seems to be the main driving force behind our music.” They strive to “offer authentic, intelligent songwriting with hard-hitting hooks.”

OK to Wonder

OK to Wonder is an 11-track album of all original material. This is their fifth release. It comes complete with a mix of instrumentals and songs.

Track by Track

The album opens on the premiere single “Up On the Shelf.” It’s an upbeat introduction to what is to come. Bush said it is “a rowdy song about a wild night out and gradually became a much more in-depth picture of the ups and downs of a relationship; I aimed to maintain the spirit of the original concept while trying to depict the stress that partnerships may bring through an honest and unique lens.”

The second selection is the instrumental “Big City Chicken.” This one introduces the listener to what the group can do as musicians. It has an interesting opening that eventually leads to places unexpected. The track is the product of the “first few weeks of quarantine” and is both lively and thought-provoking.

The next number is the fun “First Night on the Tour.” This one focuses on the experience of a touring band and the nigh-universal “rules of the road” when on tour. It’s certainly a good song for a road trip.

“Coldiron” comes next. It is an entertaining and enterprising audio outing. This also has a travelin’ tune feel to it at times. Mind you, the pickin’ on these tracks rightly cry out for attention too.

“Bim Batta” is one of the more surprising tracks. It’s actually a subtle, intriguing instrumental musical melding of assorted elements and influences including electronica, hip-hop, and retro sounds. Composer Collins commented on the work, admitting: “At some point, I became obsessively interested in how a four-piece bluegrass group might emulate various styles of drum grooves and rhythms.” Listen carefully and see what you can find!

The sixth songful serving is “I’ll Be Yours.” This one is reportedly meant to offer encouragement to all the underdogs out there. It succeeds.

The seventh selection is the anthemic “Early Bird.” Musically, it has a warm, welcoming feel to it. Lyrically, the song, like others on this album, has a positive message to it. This is probably even more popular with live, post-pandemic audiences.

“The Funky Gorilla” follows here. It was reportedly influenced by New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore which is evidenced by the band’s final results here. It’s a cleverly composed instrumental, for sure.

The band’s signature sound remains solid on “How Time Flies.” You can practically hear how they have learned to work/play together over the years on this and the other cuts. Yes, it’s an old idiom but they make it their own.

Also included here is the strummin’, pickin’ “My Home in Arkansas.” It’s surprisingly hard-driving and is yet another road-trip-ready song. Undoubtedly, this is big at local gigs, and rightfully so.

The closing cut is the instrumental “Air Bender.” An early fan favorite, it is specifically praised for its country-western leaning and noteworthy banjo work. It’s an apt album endnote and showcases the band member’s musical talents once more.

Overall…

Overall, this album is a listen-worthy collection of the band’s most recent tuneful team-ups. It comes complete with some fine finger-pickin' action, oft-times thoughtful songwriting, and strong hooks. While it certainly isn’t absent of more traditional, expected elements, it is definitely an individualistic presentation of “newgrass.” So, check out Arkansauce’s OK to Wonder and you’ll be surprised just “How Time Flies”...

(Album cover image courtesy of Arkansauce. Band photo by Phil Clarkin.)