Avett Brothers bring folk music to Visalia Fox

Scott and Seth Avett began the 21st century by putting down their electric instruments and picking up an acoustic guitar and banjo.

"Both of us had played in some loud, heavy rock bands, and those fell apart in a very emotional way," Seth Avett said by phone aboard a tour bus rolling through California. "We finally decided that the only person we could really count on was each other.

"So we wanted to make some songs where we couldn't hide behind volume or any kind of distracting factor. We wanted simplicity."

Apparently, so did a lot of music lovers and at least one record label owner, Dolph Ramseur, their longtime manager. In a time when gimmicks and gadgets dominate the radio, The Avett Brothers have found a huge following, playing and singing down-to-the-soul music that can't be pigeon-holed. It's a pinch of bluegrass, rock, folk, country, blues, jazz — and, seemingly, a front porch and a shade tree thrown in to set the mood.

The Avett Brothers perform Feb. 14 at the Visalia Fox Theatre.

An example of their popularity: The Avett's 2009 CD "I and Love and You" reached No. 16 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart. It also reached No. 1 on the folk chart and No. 7 among rock albums.

"It would be easy to frame up our decision to play simple music in a heroic way," said Seth, 34, and the younger brother by four years. "Really, we just decided to look toward the roots of American music — people like Woody Guthrie, Jimmie Rodgers and Doc Watson — and then see if we could write songs that were honest, genuine and sincere."

Simplicity still rules

They've increased the sound a bit: In addition to stand-up bass player Bob Crawford, who started with them in 2002, cellist Joe Kwon joined in 2007. And while touring, they also include keyboards, drums and a fiddle. But simplicity still rules.

So does the surprises on stage. The grandsons of a Methodist minister in their home state of North Carolina, The Avett Brothers are known to perform old gospel songs such as "In the Garden" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."

"Those are the church songs I love," Seth said. "There is something about electricity and church music mixed together that I don't care for. I love a good sermon from an old-school preacher talking about how life experiences affected his life day to day, and how it relates to God.

"I think there are a lot of ways to connect to God. Old-school gospel music is a way to connect, whether you're a Christian or non-Christian. There were a bunch of songs written between 1880 and 1920. It was a golden age of gospel songs with melodies that always hit us.

"There are so many songs from years ago that just get lost. I went with my dad to this sort of low-rent flea market and this little ol' lady had about 15 records stacked up. They were all 78 (rpms), and they were dusty and scratched. She said 'Two dollars for all of 'em.' I think I gave her $5 because I felt like I was stealing them. First song I put on the record player was Fiddlin' John Carson singing 'Be Kind to a Man When He's Down.' It was so scratchy, it took me a while to figure out all the lyrics. We play it from time to time. But it's just another example of great, great songs that get lost in time."

It's all about the music

What hits audiences about The Avett Brothers are deep, piercing lyrics; distinct voices that aren't afraid to test their limits; harmonies that are both tight and stretched; and complex musicianship made to look easy.

And this: An unbridled love of two brothers making music together.

"Life allows us all to take things for granted," Seth said. "But here's the deal: When Scott sings 'Murder in the City' — a song that I knew the first time he played it for me was going to be a classic — I take it all in. Because I know there are a finite number of times I'll be able to enjoy that.

"That's our jam. Live in the moment and appreciate every one of them."

But Scott and Seth Avett take it a step further.

"We have built what we have now piece by piece, little by little," Seth said. "But in the middle of it is a strong bond that can't be manufactured. Everything is centered on goodwill. And it permeates through recording a song to performing on stage, how we talk to the crew, our body language walking to the bus.

"We've done a lot of festivals, and I've seen bands where there was so much tension surrounding them. I wouldn't want any part of that. I would find it extremely difficult smiling on stage living in that environment every day.

"Scott has been married for over 10 years now and has two little ones. I'm divorced and have a significant other I'm excited about a future with. We're old enough now to have experienced tragedy — had friends to die — and that has a way of humbling you. And when you're humble, you sort of give yourself over to the team. That's what we all do, anybody connected with The Avett Brothers."

Which explains these lines of their 2004 original tune, "Salvation Song": "We came for salvation/We came for family/We came for all that's good/that's how we'll walk away/We came to break the bad/We came to cheer the sad/We came to leave the world/a better way."

How to attend

What: The Avett Brothers

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14..

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre

Tickets: $65

Information: 625-1369 or www.foxvisalia.org