The Dead South at L’Olympia or when folk-bluegrass takes on a country flavor
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
We were thrilled when The Dead South announced a French tour this year. We were ready to go; we’re such big fans of this music here at Earama. Rock has so many facets that it sometimes makes our heads spin, and when artists decide to invent their own style, it’s the ultimate!
This is certainly the case with The Dead South, who started out as a bluegrass band but quickly chose to define themselves by infusing that style with their musical influences and passions. That’s why, right from their first album, they declared themselves folk-bluegrass. If you listen closely, you’ll immediately hear strong country influences and Scott’s love for metal; a delicious cocktail to enjoy without moderation (like the whiskey flowing freely on stage, giving the band a chance to raise their glasses in our honor).
But let’s start at the beginning. When the Earama team enters the legendary Olympia venue, it’s early, so we can watch it fill up with an extremely diverse audience in terms of musical background, style, and age. The Dead South has a very broad range of fans. The atmosphere is friendly, positive, and relaxed; you immediately feel “in good company.”
photos : @jen.earama
The opening act, performed by Benjamin Dakota Rogers, is an absolute gem! At first glance, when he walks onto the stage, you might have your doubts. He arrives shyly, quietly, almost unobtrusively. Dead South’s set design, reminiscent of an abandoned old Western town, is massive and magnificent, and this small man approaches the microphone silently, with only a guitar for company. He seems swallowed up by the venue, by the stage, and then, in that moment, he begins to play softly and… he sings. His voice grabs our souls right away; he lives what he plays and what he sings, and suddenly the whole room feels small in his presence. A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Benjamin undoubtedly has gold in his hands and in his voice, and no sand on the horizon. He is the gold digger’s and folk music lover’s Eldorado all by himself. The more songs he plays, the more the audience is won over. It’s a successful gamble for him, little known in France, culminating in a magical standing ovation at the end of his set.
photos : @jen.earama
Then, once again, the lights in the hall dim, the set takes on the hues of early morning in this imaginary city, and the smoke, like a thick mist, creates an extraordinary atmosphere. The stage is set,
and there they are, smiling as they strike up Snake Man to get us in the mood.
Scott dazzles us, mandolin or guitar in hand. He’s inspired, at times seeming absorbed by the music; tambourine at his feet, he keeps the beat, playing with passion as if possessed by his songs. His voice never falters; he’s completely immersed and draws us in so effortlessly. He also shows us his sense of humor by trying to explain the story behind That Bastard Son in French: “It’s, um… when you’ve had too much to drink and your girlfriend doesn’t want you to… how… Nate, how do you say that? (-come in, open the door) Yeah, she doesn’t want you to come in, so you sleep outside.”
Yes, because that’s also the strength of The Dead South: the camaraderie among its members. You spot the inside jokes, the knowing smiles, the little misstep that the other member didn’t miss, and they smile at each other, they laugh; the complicity is a joy to witness!
Nate will be the one talking to us all evening, as he’s comfortable speaking French. He’s country music personified! His voice evokes the long tales of the poor lonesome cowboy, told with a touch of irony yet so deeply moving. He has an inimitable stage presence, an incomparable voice, and flawless guitar playing! He knows how to keep the energy going, get the crowd singing, and put young Caelum Scott, Colton’s banjo replacement for the European tours, at ease.
Nicknamed “The Disciple” by the band, Caelum truly enjoys being there; hired on the spot during the 2024 tour, he was simply a fan of the band and knew all the songs by heart! And believe me, he deserves his spot. The other members won’t fail to praise him during the concert, and rightly so. Even with a “temporary” member, The Dead South’s chemistry is palpable at all times.
That chemistry is equally evident with Danny, whose madness on the cello borders on genius! Holding his instrument mostly like a bass, he runs and jumps all over the stage as if the weight of that massive wooden body didn’t matter! At other moments, he lends a magical, almost mystical depth to the songs by playing the cello in a way that captivates us, leaving us in awe and silence. And let’s not forget Danny’s magnificent voice, because yes, in The Dead South, EVERYONE sings!
As you can see, this is a band that shares everything, from their tastes and influences to their passion and friendship. And that’s exactly what The Dead South shared with us during that wild concert at the Olympia, where the audience never stopped singing and cheering. They closed out the show with the famous Banjo Odyssey, one of the band’s signature songs.
We’ll cherish this memory forever; it was an incomparable experience. For those who were there, I’m sure these words will resonate. For those who weren’t: Don’t miss out next time!
Comments