The Pine Hearts

Just beneath the eaves of Washington's Cascade Mountains, The Pine Hearts are combining wood, ore and soul to channel the colossal, organic spirit of the untamed Pacific Northwest. Their sound, like the environment around them, is ever-changing, harnessing classic country songwriting, the powerful emotive themes of experimental folk, and the blazing-fast pickin' rhythms of traditional Appalachian bluegrass -- all the while staying rooted to their rock-n-roll backgrounds.

The Pine Hearts first formed in the early 2010's as a traditional-leaning folk and bluegrass trio, establishing bandleader and guitarist Joey Capoccia's distinct picking flair and alt-Americana songwriting style after long-running stints in classic Olympia, WA bands such as The Pasties and The Blackberry Bushes, culminating in the albums Distant Lights (2013) and Winter on Orcas (2013). Mandolinist Derek McSwain has returned with an even larger bag of tricks, and joining Joey and Derek is upright bassist Dean Shakked, providing a rock-solid rhythmic foundation for the band while injecting his own wide-ranging jazz and progressive rock influences into the mix. All three are accomplished vocalists in their own rights, allowing for lush, complex three-part vocal harmony to give new depth and dimension to the band's lyrical melodies.