One of my best finds at this year’s Folk Alliance was The Rough & Tumble, the musical duo of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler . A couple based out of, well, let me get back to that, they have a modern folk, bluegrass-tinged sound that’s a little bit joyous and a little bit philosophical. On stage they have an easy charisma that eliminates the physical distance between them and the audience. They have a new record out this week, Only This Far, and it does an admirable job of conveying the spirit of one of their live shows, minus the presence of their lovable canine companions, Mud Puddle and Magpie Mae.
Now back to that comment about their origin story. For most of the time since 2015 they’ve lived on the road in a 16-foot travel trailer. By choice. Combining the concepts of journey and destination, they seem to have a perspective that’s harder to come by if your roots are deep. Isn’t What I Thought has Graham and Tyler trading vocals over a string band pop number about life’s expectations being turned on their head. Get Your Shoes On has a bigger sound in a reflection on life where, “we’ve been vinegar, but never wine”. Homesick takes the oft-told story of being a traveling musician to new heights when it notes, “every place I ever go reminds me of a place I used to know.”
Some of the best songs on the album let you peel back a sunny, toe-tapping musical layer to expose a deeper, almost world-weary view of life. God of War highlights Mallory’s soaring, slightly twangy vocals in a pointed truth about divisive political views reminding us, “what you worship you become”. The first tune on the CD, Ain’t That the Way, is an ode to perseverance and keeping at it even when it doesn’t come easily. Trouble is part zydeco, part rockabilly and is one of several songs featuring Mallory on accordion, with Scott letting loose on electric guitar.
Although the couple has sort of settled down, with an actual permanent address, looking at their tour schedule it’s obvious their lust for life on the road hasn’t completely run its course. So whether you catch them at one of their numerous live shows, or capture their sound on Only This Far, you’ll be well rewarded by checking out The Rough & Tumble.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.