Another Sure Thing

Corn Mash is the project of Bill LaVoie, a prolific singer/songwriter formerly of the Seattle area, but now relocated to Missoula, Montana. Bill has performed scores of well-received solo shows for many years, but formed Corn Mash - part band, part studio collaboration - to give some songs more life. Nobody seems to really invent new music, but his songs are diverse; showing an appreciation of songwriting and the influences of other diverse songwriter/performers such as Robyn Hitchcock, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Nick Saloman (Bevis Frond), Edward Kaspel, Brian Eno, Lennon, etc. There is frequently a country/traditional slant, but styles widely vary. The recently released CD 'Another Sure Thing' is a small sample of Bill's extensive list of live-tested originals. Seemingly conventional rock, country, blues, and folk are infused with some unlikely styles - jazz, punk, ambient, choral - resulting in songs ranging from minimalist acoustic ballads, to traditional country, to groovier and edgier stuff. The disc features a number of talented guest musicians on banjo, harmonica, bass, drums, backup vocals, and even musical saw, but prominent throughout is the one and only 'Dorkbox Joe' Evavold on accordion, Hammond organ, and piano. With Joe's history playing organ in funk and rock bands, the accordion becomes a distinctive force that nicely compliments the acoustic guitar and shapes songs in often unexpected ways. It's not grandpa's polka machine. Live shows are high-energy affairs punctuated by simpler songs. Guitar playing is fingerpicking to flatpicking that can be thrashy and vocals are expressive. The subject matter may be deeply personal or pure fiction - cynical, idealistic, beautiful, sarcastic, bitter, glorious, sweet, dirty, often absurd. Always well-crafted melodies and imagry.