By: Bailey Faulkner
Has music ever transported you to a different time entirely? The group Ellis Dyson and the Shambles looking to do exactly that. The “jazz-infused whisky folk” band will take fans through a musical time machine at Legends on Friday, Jan. 29.
The band is comprised of:
Ellis Dyson (banjo, vocals)
Nathan Huvard (acoustic guitar)
Jonathan Ng (fiddle)
Danny Abrams (saxophone)
Matt Hall (trumpet)
Adam Maloney (bass)
Voted “Best Local Band” by the Daily Tar Heel’s readers and staff in April, the band is also frequently joined at live shows by various “honorary Shambles.”
Ellis Dyson and the Shambles
The group formed after frontman Dyson attended a jazz concert at UNC Chapel Hill, where he first met Danny Abrams. Dyson teamed up with Abrams, a New Yorker, to form a Northern-Southern fusion that would later expand to become Ellis Dyson and the Shambles.
Growing to six members, the band began touring around North Carolina and the South.
Along the way, the group became known for its “explosive live shows and thrilling musicianship” and its audiences’ tendency to join in with “foot-stompin’.”
The band’s popularity grew quickly, landing the group a spot to perform at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in 2014 and 2015.
More recently, the band embarked on a tour of the East Coast, playing shows from Baltimore all the way to Brooklyn. Welcomed to a packed house at The Rock Shop, the band had an especially fun time in Brooklyn.
Still excited from its tour of the North, the band now looks to the future.
“We’re working hard right now,” Dyson said.
Based on the band’s success already, it looks like there isn’t much stopping Ellis Dyson and the Shambles.
“We would love to just keep it rollin’. Hopefully things will fall into place,” Dyson said.
The band is especially excited about its March 12 show in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Jig & Reel. The show will mark the group’s first time playing in Tennessee.
Legends
Having played Appalachian Mountain Brewery and The Local in the fall of 2014, the band will return to Boone to headline at Legends. The Shambles had a great time playing both Boone shows.
“Boone is a totally different place than anywhere else. People in Boone enjoy shows and music in almost a tribal way,” Dyson said.
After playing two shows in the area, the band has found a neat niche to fill. The group is certain that every show they play in the High Country will always be an interesting and unique experience.
“Each show is an experience. You never know what the tribe is going to do so you just roll along with it,” Dyson said.
The group will surely appeal to the hearts of Boone music lovers.
“Every show is very intimate,” Dyson said.
Fans can check out Ellis Dyson and the Shambles’ music and merchandise on Bandcamp. The band also keeps its Facebook page up to date so you will always know what’s next for the Shambles.
Friday’s show at Legends will begin at 9:30 p.m., with doors opening at 9 p.m. Tickets will be $4 for students in advance and $6 at the door. The show will also be BYOB with a six-pack limit.
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