Roselit Bone at the Raccoon Motel -- August 25.
Sunday, August 25, 6 p.m.
Raccoon Motel, 315 East Second Street, Davenport IA
Their 2023 album Ofrenda hailed by The Alternate Root as "a masterclass in gothic country-rock (think Patti Smith fronting Murder by Death)," the Portland, Oregon ensemble Roselit Bone headlines an August 25 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, Americana Highways adding that the group's fourth studio LP "melds together elements of country, rockabilly, jazz, and alternative music to create a distinctive and original collection of atmospheric songs that audibly mesmerize as they draw you in."
With the band's musical style characterized by a blend of gothic country, punk rock, ranchera, folk music, and cinematic Western influences, Roselit Bone was originally established in 2013 as a duo featuring Charlotte McCaslin and Ben Dahmes. Their collaboration was initiated when Dahmes, working as a sound engineer, crossed paths with McCaslin during one of her performances with a prior band at a local venue. Roselit Bone then expanded into a trio with the addition of Victor Franco in 2014, with the musician first playing bass before switching to guitar. Not long after, the band embarked on the recruitment of additional members, including violinist Faith Grossnicklaus and a lineup of trumpeters, keyboardists, synth players, drummers, and multiple guitarists. This expansion was driven by the evolving songwriting needs of McCaslin, requiring a more diverse range of instrumental accompaniment.
Serving as Roselit Bone's primary songwriter, McCaslin ensures that each piece is suitable for solo performances or duets and imbues them with a folk essence. This approach prioritizes adaptability and emphasizes the song's quality before considering arrangements or introducing it to the larger band. After introducing the song to the band, a full arrangement is typically developed, followed by extensive workshopping with various band members to ensure accuracy and cohesion in the live band setting. Having made their studio-album debut with 2014's Blacken & Curl, the ensemble subsequently released 2017's Blister Steel, 2019's Crisis Actor, and last year's Ofrenda, the latter of which inspired Nashville Scene to rave, "With grandiose gothic lyrics and big arrangements, Roselit Bone’s music crackles with the tension of thunderheads far on the desert horizon."
Roselit Bone headlines their Davenport engagement on August 25, admission to the 6 p.m. concert is $15.88, and tickets are available by visiting TheRaccoonMotel.com.
