Bunch -- Forever My Sparring Partner

Heath Underwood's previous project, El Cantador, periodically resurfaces in my internal radio years after listening to their album. Underwood's new project, Bunch, is re-entering the Southern psychedelia market at just the right time. From hip hop to country, there's no arguing that creating walls of intricate sound is in vogue. This is probably a result of everyone listening to music with their headphones most of the time, but I'm not complaining. Bunch's music is muscular and gossamer-thin, so intricate that if an instrument were to be pulled out of the mix, the song would sound barren.

While the cover image is irritatingly off-kilter, Bunch navigates its musical ebb and flow with ease and a tight unity. The best comparison I can make is a combination of Great Peacock with the Alabama Shakes' Sound & Color. This isn't an idle comparison -- El Cantador shared the stage with both acts and Underwood nestles comfortably between the far-out and familiar country sounds. It's hard for me to say whether I prefer Bunch at their loudest or at their softest; this is the kind of band that knows their songs from all directions and know exactly how to get the most out of them. This chemistry is no doubt exciting to see live and, as you'll see below, Bunch will be coming to a venue near you.



Bunch -- Official, Facebook, Bandcamp

While El Cantador never made it out of Mobile -- a subject I muse about over on my Patreon, which you can donate to -- Bunch is getting out of dodge.

4/6 - Tampa, FL - Rock The Park

4/7 - St. Petersburg, FL - The Bends

4/8 - St. Augustine, FL - Planet Sarbez

4/9 - Jacksonville, FL - Nighthawks

4/10 - Chattanooga, TN - JJ's Bohemia

4/11 - Nashville, TN - The Basement and The 5 Spot

4/12 - Knoxville, TN - WDVX

4/12 - Johnson City, TN - Acoustic Coffee

4/13 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle

4/14 - Carrboro, NC - The Station

4/15 - Greensboro, NX - ONPOPOFTHEWORLD

4/16 - Washington, DC - The Velvet Lounge

4/17 - Philadelphia, PA - The Pharmacy

4/18 - New York City, NY - The Bowery Electric

4/19 - Hamden, CT - The Space

4/20 - TBA

4/21 - Cambridge, MA - WEMF Live Broadcast

4/22 - TBA

4/24 - Burlington, VT - Radio Bean

4/25 - Albany, NY - Parish Public House

4/26 - Pittsburgh, PA - WPTS Radio

4/27 - Pittsburgh, PA - Spirit

4/28 - Harrisonburg, PA - The Golden Pony

4/29 - TBA

5/1 - Charlottesville, VA - The Garage

5/2 - Charlotte, NC - Snug Harbor

5/3 - Columbia, SC - Main St. Public House

5/4 - Athens, GA - Flicker Theatre

5/5 - Birmingham, AL - The Syndicate Lounge

5/6 - Montgomery, AL - The Sanctuary

5/7 - Mobile, AL - Callaghan's