Roanoke, Va. (WDBJ) – Singer and guitarist Oliver Wood and his brother Chris grew up in a musical family in Colorado.
“We started playing music together when we were kids and making little recordings,” says Wood.
Their father was a biology professor and a folk musician.
“He was definitely a big influence on us and our mother was a poet. So she was a word person, so we had a music person and a word person,” says Wood.
When they got older, Oliver moved out and started a band with some friends.
Bassist Chris did the same.
Oliver was more into southern music, while Chris was more into jazz.
“We were in completely different music circles for 10 to 15 years, but what happened as brothers really separated us. We just lived different lives,” he said. says Wood.
Years later, their love of music brought them back together.
“Then we got together and played, and we found we were pretty healthy in terms of not being competitive. We weren’t as competitive as our brothers,” he says.
Fast forward to today and the Wood Brothers have produced several albums.
The group also includes keyboardist and drummer Jano Rix.
Their sound blends several musical styles.
“There’s definitely blues, rock and folk, but there’s also a touch of gospel, country and even jazz,” says Wood.
The band’s goal, he says, is to create a new sound.
New even to my ears.
“Our goal is to do things that have never been done before, or things that have not been heard very often, like if you played this country waltz with a weird jazz bassline.” says Wood.
The band will release a new album called “Heart is the Hero” in mid-April.
Wood says audiences will be able to hear some of the new music at their next concert at The Harvester.
“We’re looking forward to coming to The Harvester. We love the place,” says Wood.
Click here for ticket information.
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