The Canadian band got its start in a string band format, but has since evolved into a far more eclectic and adventurous sound. Founder – and clawhammer banjo player – Leonard Podolak is still on board, as is fiddler Tania Elizabeth and guitarist Jordan McConnell, but The Duhks’ new vibe is largely defined by their newest member, vocalist Sarah Dugas.

Sarah and her brother, drummer Christian Dugas, joined the group in 2007 and her singing and songwriting are front and center on Fast Paced World.

Audio samples are available on the band’s web site, and Sugar Hill has created a video on the making of the CD which will serve as a fine introduction to the band and their music for the uninitiated.

The band has consistently avoided easy labels, with their eclectic mix of styles and influences, though largely staying close to traditional acoustic string band instruments.

Judging by Mighty Storm, the first single released from the album (audio online), their sound is taking a bluesy turn. As Fast Paced World is the band’s first recorded project since they swapped lead vocalists, bringing Sarah Dugas in for Jessee Havey in 2007, one would have expected some changes. In fact, Dugas describes it as a conscious effort.

“We traveled from Winnipeg, locked ourselves in a Nashville basement, pooled our ideas together and invented a new sound.”

It’s likely that Nashville producer Jay Joyce, who made his name writing, recording, performing and producing pop, country and film music, also had a hand in retooling the band’s sonic landscape for the new CD. His credits range far and wide, including producing artists like John Hiatt and John Cowan as well as as the soundtracks for Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days.

In addition to Dugas, the band is composed of Leonard Podolak (banjo), Tania Elizabeth on fiddle and mandolin, Jordan McConnell on guitar, and Christian Dugas (brother of Sarah) on percussion.

Their tour schedule can be found on the band’s MySpace page.

Several of the nominees will be familiar to readers of The Bluegrass Blog, including Sam Bush for Instrumentalist, Uncle Earl for New and Emerging Artist, and both The Duhks and Old Crow Medicine Show for Group/Duo.

You can see the complete list of 2007 AMA nominees on their official web site, where you can also find details about the Americana Music Conference, October 31 through November 3, 2007.

The Duhks MySpace blog has some band feedback on how things are going.

You can find their tour dates on the band’s official web site.

They perform Out Of The Rain, Down To The River and Old Cook Pot from their 2006 release, Migrations, and discuss the project, their sound and some of their musical influences.

The Duhks recently received a nomination for Roots & Traditional Album Of The Year from the JUNO Awards. Winners will be announced on April 1, 2007. They won last year for their eponymous debut release on Sugar Hill.

Remember that this line up is subject to revision between now and next April. Personally I’m glad to see a nice collection of strait up bluegrass represented at next year’s festival.

WILKESBORO, N.C., Oct. 19 — Ticket sales for MerleFest 2007, the Americana Music Celebration Presented by Lowe’s, will begin on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 2:00 PM EST. Wilkes Community College will present MerleFest 2007, the 20th annual festival in celebration of the music of the late Merle Watson and his father Doc Watson, on its campus in Wilkesboro, NC on April 26 – 29, 2007. Those joining Doc Watson and Merle’s son Richard Watson for MerleFest 2007 will include Blue Highway; Sam Bush; Cherryholmes; Elvis Costello; John Cowan Band; Donna The Buffalo; Jerry Douglas; The Duhks; Bela Fleck; Paul Geremia; John Hammond; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Del McCoury Band; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Peter Rowan & Tony Rice Quartet; Darrell Scott; the Legendary Earl Scruggs with Family & Friends; Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives; Pam Tillis; The Waybacks; and many others. Starting on November 14th at 2 PM EST, those with Internet access may acquire their tickets easily by visiting http://www.merlefest.org and, if purchasing assigned seats at the Watson Stage, actually pick their seat location on line.

If you don’t want to order online you can call 1-800-343-7857 (US only) or 336-838-6267 (non-US) weekdays. Or, if you’d prefer, you can mail order your tickets at this address:

MerleFest
P.O. Box 120
Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Additional info:

Full Press Release
Volunteer for MerleFest
Vendor info
Sponsorship Inquiries
General information

Contest winners will receive VIP passes to MagnoliaFest, held October 19-22 in Live Oak, FL, free camping accommodations, a gas card for travel expenses, plus autographed copies of the new Duhks CD and other memorabilia.

Visit JamBase for all the contest details, and to enter online.

The first music video from Migrations is now available on CMT.com. It’s for the song, Out Of The Rain, which debuted yesterday (9/21) on CMT TV’s Top 20 Countdown.