1. music
  2. merch
  3. community

Old Growth

by Brad Kolodner

supported by
Kelly & Keri
Kelly & Keri thumbnail
Kelly & Keri I’ve been reading Southern Gothic literature and enjoying danger vibes in music. There’s loads of that here. What I mean is a kind of ominous element that heightens my awareness. It is still relaxing, but I find a lot in Dr. John and in Fela Kuti. And here on this gourd banjo. I love the mood I’m in. When mean sounds so good, it puts me at ease, takes me away. I like the title track for specifically this. It taps into something I am into right now. Thanks for making it. Favorite track: Old Growth.
manda brown
manda brown thumbnail
janstey
janstey thumbnail
soundgal2000
soundgal2000 thumbnail
polkadog
polkadog thumbnail
amolith
amolith thumbnail
ymwing
ymwing thumbnail
Lauren G (Elle-Oran-ge)
Lauren G (Elle-Oran-ge) thumbnail
adam
adam thumbnail
Dusty Bob
Dusty Bob thumbnail
dhrogers
dhrogers thumbnail
erichess
erichess thumbnail
Nina Berry
Nina Berry thumbnail
Lottaleben
Lottaleben thumbnail
Gary Wells
Gary Wells thumbnail
Kel Norris
Kel Norris thumbnail
policyblues
policyblues thumbnail
joelvanderwerf
joelvanderwerf thumbnail
sonictooth
sonictooth thumbnail
Lyn
Lyn thumbnail
ajw128
ajw128 thumbnail
bckleta
bckleta thumbnail
SHimmer
SHimmer thumbnail
bkbirgelikes
bkbirgelikes thumbnail
djim reynolds
djim reynolds thumbnail
note
note thumbnail
John Fisher
John Fisher thumbnail
Zac
Zac thumbnail
Brendan Berry
Brendan Berry thumbnail
Pete Shapland
Pete Shapland thumbnail
catxdad19
catxdad19 thumbnail
chrisbhale
chrisbhale thumbnail
kevin jude
kevin jude thumbnail
curtmcmurt
curtmcmurt thumbnail
Blakey Cakey
Blakey Cakey thumbnail
Jihan Abdurrafi
Jihan Abdurrafi thumbnail
3Jackdaws
3Jackdaws thumbnail
jeph
jeph thumbnail
Original_Gilton
Original_Gilton thumbnail
bsweatt
bsweatt thumbnail
bcherdt
bcherdt thumbnail
Nick Henderson
Nick Henderson thumbnail
severintheinert
severintheinert thumbnail
jay_marvin
jay_marvin thumbnail
jbass6993
jbass6993 thumbnail
tomwebster
tomwebster thumbnail
Halli K
Halli K thumbnail
Jonathan Gaze
Jonathan Gaze thumbnail
hajkehu
hajkehu thumbnail
fishingcat
fishingcat thumbnail
trickcyclist
trickcyclist thumbnail
David Geyer
David Geyer thumbnail
marmaladefille
marmaladefille thumbnail
american teen princez
american teen princez thumbnail
scalrtn
scalrtn thumbnail
annickodom
annickodom thumbnail
FiveString
FiveString thumbnail
Robert Cuddington
Robert Cuddington thumbnail
esmoell
esmoell thumbnail
Jim Plitt
Jim Plitt thumbnail
mary ann boles
mary ann boles thumbnail
more...
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Hard copy CD of Old Growth complete with liner notes and artist statement.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Old Growth via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Signed hard copy CD of Old Growth complete with liner notes and artist statement.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Old Growth via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $25 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    12" Vinyl version of Old Growth.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Old Growth via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $30 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    12" Vinyl version of Old Growth signed by Brad!

    Includes unlimited streaming of Old Growth via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $35 USD or more 

     

1.
Red Prairie Dawn 02:43
buy track
2.
Hand's Cove 02:10
buy track
3.
Elk River Blues 01:52
buy track
4.
Old Growth 02:47
buy track
5.
Last Chance 02:50
buy track
6.
Winder Slide 02:17
buy track
7.
Foggy Mountain Rock 02:25
buy track
8.
The Golden Ticket 02:52
buy track
9.
Sadie At The Back Door 02:24
buy track
10.
Mouse In The Drainpipe 02:10
buy track
11.
Lost Girl 02:37
buy track
12.
Reuben's Train 02:05
buy track
13.
Sullivan's Hollow 01:53
buy track
14.
Jeff Sturgeon 02:02
buy track
15.
Old Town Band 02:19
buy track
16.
Black Eyed Susie 02:07
buy track

about

My gourd banjo journey began on a crisp, winter day in downtown Ithaca, New York. While an undergrad at Ithaca College early in my banjo-playing days, I stopped by the local acoustic instrument store and saw a peculiar banjo-like creature hanging high up on the wall. I was instantly hooked. It had five strings and a short drone string just like my banjo. I could play the same clawhammer style I was familiar with but everything felt and sounded different. The instrument had an earthy, plunky and rich tone. Besides being completely fretless and tuned a few steps low, the head was made of a gourd that smelled like dirt. Flash forward 15 years and here I am releasing an album of solo, unaccompanied gourd banjo music.

These days, I play a gourd banjo built by Pete Ross, an immensely talented banjo maker who lives right here in my hometown of Baltimore, a town full of banjo history. The first professional banjo maker in the world, William Boucher, set up shop in Baltimore in the mid-19th century. The neck of this banjo, notably the scroll-shaped headstock, is modeled after the Boucher style. In addition to being a tool for creative exploration, the gourd banjo serves as a prism into the complex history of the banjo. It’s a reliable conversation-starter everywhere I go. For more on banjo history, I encourage you to read Well of Souls by Kristina Gaddy.

I hope this recording can bring you the same sense of delight and wonder I feel everytime I reach for my gourd banjo. -Brad Kolodner

credits

released May 30, 2025

Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Nic Sjostrom
Art and Design by Kelley Wills of Brain Flower Designs
Fretless gourd banjo built by Pete Ross in Baltimore, MD

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Brad Kolodner image

Brad Kolodner Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore-based clawhammer banjoist Brad Kolodner represents the next generation of Old-Time musicians pushing the boundaries of the tradition into uncharted territory. Regarded for his delicate touch, expressive style, and original compositions, Kolodner has rapidly gained national attention for his unique approach to the banjo. ... more

contact / help

Contact Brad Kolodner

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account