Shovels & Rope

Shovels & Rope

Shovels & Rope playing Red Rocks Amphitheater on July 13, 2014
Background information
Origin Charleston, South Carolina United States
Genres Alt-country
Years active 2008 – present
Labels Dualtone Records
Associated acts The Films (band)
Michael Trent
Cary Ann Hearst
Website http://www.shovelsandrope.com/
Members Michael Trent
Cary Ann Hearst

Shovels & Rope are an American folk duo from Charleston, South Carolina composed of husband and wife Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst. Combining threads from their individual solo careers, Shovels & Rope blends traditional folk, rock and roll, country rock, and punk rock.

History

Cary Ann Hearst was born in Mississippi in 1979 and raised in Nashville from 1987 until she attended the College of Charleston in 1997. During school she began performing music as a solo artist in local bars and venues.[1] After graduating she toured, recorded and performed with various groups including Caravan and Borrowed Angels.[2] Hearst saw Michael Trent, born in Denver but relocated to Charleston, performing with his band The Films in 2002 and they began touring with various artists including Jump, Little Children.[3] Hearst released her first solo album Dust and Bones in 2006 and Trent released his self-titled solo album, also his first, in 2007.

In 2008 Hearst and Trent recorded and released the album Shovels & Rope as a co-bill under their individual names, not intended to ever create a permanent act.[4] Hearst and Trent married in March 2009 and continued to perform and record their music for their individual solo careers.[3] Hearst released the EP Are You Ready to Die in 2010 and the LP Lions and Lambs in 2011. Trent released The Winner in 2010.[5] In 2012, the pair committed to their joint venture and released an album together under the Shovels & Rope moniker entitled O' Be Joyful, which reached #123 on the Billboard 200.[6][7]

The band made their network television debut playing "Birmingham" on Late Show with David Letterman, January 30, 2013.[8] On September 18, 2013 at the Americana Music Honors & Awards Shovels & Rope received the honors of emerging artist the year and song of the year for their song "Birmingham."[9]

As Shovels & Rope tour they typically perform a mix of songs from their solo careers and the combined ventures. Their third album titled Swimmin' Time was released on August 26, 2014 on Dualtone Records and debuted at #20 on the Billboard 200.[10][11]

Members

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US
Heat		 US Indie US
Folk		 US Rock
Shovels & Rope
  • Release date: December 2, 2008
  • Label: Our House
 - - - - -
O' Be Joyful 123[7] 1 22 7 42
Swimmin' Time[12] 20[11] - 6 2 5

Singles

Music videos

Year Video
2013 "Birmingham"

References

  1. ↑ 6/19/12 — Delta Mama and a Nickajack Man… the short version of a long story — ShovelsandRope.com
  2. ↑ Retrieved 4/27/14 — Cary Ann Hearst credits — Allmusic.com
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 7/24/12 — Shovels & Rope's Michael Trent & Cary Ann Hearst Make Joyful Noise — HuffingtonPost.com
  4. ↑ 12/6/12 — Interview with Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst of Shovels & Rope on "O' Be Joyful" — NoDepression.com
  5. ↑ Retrieved 4/27/14 — Shovels & Rope biography — Allmusic.com
  6. ↑ 11/14/12 — Catching Up With Shovels & Rope — PasteMagazine.com
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Retrieved 4/27/14 — Shovels & Rope charts — Allmusic.com
  8. ↑ 1/31/13 — Shovels & Rope appear on Letterman Show — TheDigitel.com
  9. ↑ 9/19/13 — Emmylou Harris, Shovels & Rope Win Big at Americana Awards — Billboard.com
  10. ↑ 4/17/14 — Video Premiere: Shovels & Rope - Album Teaser — PasteMagazine.com
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Shovels & Rope’s "Devil Is All Around" Goes Top 20". 9/4/14. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ↑ 5/5/14 — Acclaimed Duo Shovels & Rope To Release Highly Anticipated Sophomore Album "Swimmin' Time" August 26 via Dualtone Music — AllEyesMedia.com
  13. ↑ "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 2014-06-27.