Media Release | 2023 Spring Tour
Larry & Joe are bringing ‘Latingrass-Llanera’ to a music venue near you
DURHAM, N.C. (Dec. 19, 2022) —Folk fusion duo Larry and Joe will play at Club Passim on Thursday, Jan 19 at 8 pm. The show is part of an East Coast tour featuring the music of their debut album, Nuevo South Train.
Larry & Joe is the latest project of Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician Joe Troop (founder and bandleader of former Latingrass ensemble Che Apalache) and Venezuelan Llanera music superstar Larry Bellorín. The two met serendipitously in late 2021 and have been inseparable ever since, busy creating the sounds of Latingrass-Llanera, a new folk genre all their own.
The Music
The duo’s Venezuelan-Appalachian sound honors the music traditions of American bluegrass and musica Llanera (“plains music”), an increasingly popular subgenre of joropo, the national song and dance of Venezuela. Their set features instruments from both musicians’ respective folk inheritances, including the harp, banjo, fiddle, cuatro, upright bass, guitar, maracas, and “whatever else they decide to throw in the van.” Most notable is Bellorín on the harp (the heartbeat of Llanera music) and Troop on his tried and true banjo.
Their music ranges from slow and lyrical to fast and instrumental, with songs for Spanish and English speakers alike.
Their single Caballo Viejo (Old Horse) reimagines the classic Venezuelan folk song by Simón Díaz into an emotional ballad fit for an opera house.
The artfully composed, polyrhythmic arrangement showcases Troop’s vocal range and the duo’s technical mastery of their instruments.
While songs like Caballo Viejo may leave crowds standing in awe, the tour also features dance-inducing songs like Cecilia that are sure to keep them moving.
Nuevo South Train
Larry and Joe are on a mission to prove that music has no borders. Their debut album, Nuevo South Train, does just that. The album is featured throughout their spring tour and is set to release on Spotify at the end of December.
Produced by renowned jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, the album breaks new ground in music composition, allowing two seemingly incompatible rhythmic patterns to coexist in harmony and coalesce in new, imaginative ways. The song, Nuevo South Train, toggles between Spanish and English, telling the story of the American South and its long history of Latin cultural influence. Hermano Migrante is Joe’s own ode to migrant communities—a song he wrote before having ever met Larry.
For background on their music origins, Venezuelan-Appalachian fusion, and visions of the ‘Nuevo South,’ check out this article by Dr. Sophia Enriquez, Duke University’s expert on the subject. She connected the two musical soulmates.
Their Story
Larry and Joe’s Venezuelan-Appalachian music has gained tremendous momentum among Latino and Non-Latino listeners of the Southeast and beyond. But it’s their story that’s captured the hearts of communities and the attention of the press.
After losing everything, two folk legends found each other at just the right time. North Carolina Triad’s Yes!Weekly covers their story here.
Other great articles:
Contact
For booking and management, contact Kayla Oelhafen: kayla.oelhafen@gmail.com | 919.606.4277
Tour dates are regularly updated on larry&joe.com
Larry & Joe also regularly post about their shows and communicate with their audiences on their social pages:
FAQ | Larry & Joe 2022-23 Spring tour
Tour Details
When/where are Larry and Joe currently touring?
Now through March, primarily in East coast cities. See their full tour schedule here!
Where can I get tickets?
Go to Larry and Joe’s tour page for links to venues and ticket purchase.
How much are tickets?
That’s up to each local venue, but most concerts range from $10-$30, and many are on a “pay what you can” sliding scale. Larry and Joe are working hard to make the shows accessible to everyone!
Are the concerts in English or Spanish?
Both! The shows are completely bilingual. Some songs are in Spanish, others in English, and the rest are instrumental. Communication with the crowd toggles between the two languages, as Larry speaks Spanish, and Joe is bilingual.
Are Larry and Joe available for other bookings during this tour?
Why yes, they are! Please contact kayla.oelhafen@gmail.com for management and booking.
Where can I get the most up-to-date information about the tour?
Sign up for their newsletter and check their website for the latest and greatest.
The Music
What is “Venezuelan-Appalachian” music?
It’s a combination of musica Llanera and American bluegrass—the music of Larry and Joe’s respective folk traditions. It has a unique combination of the harp and banjo and features powerful vocals from both performers. Visit their youtube page and instagram to get a feel for their sound. This article also gives a nice overview.
What is Llanera music?
Música llanera literally means “plains music”. It’s the traditional folk music of the Venezuelan western plains and a subset of joropo, the national music of Venezuela. A llanera ensemble is usually comprised of the harp, the bandola llanera (a four-stringed pear-shaped guitar), contrabajo (acoustic bass), the small four-stringed cuatro, and maracas. Here’s a playlist of traditional llanera music. Larry and Joe like to cover the music of Simon Diaz, one of Venezuela’s llanera music greats.
Debut Album Nuevo South Train
What does Nuevo South Train mean?
Nuevo South or “New South” refers to the demographic shift of the South.
Duke University’s Dr. Sophia M. EnríquezThis article probably puts it best:
“As of 2021, Latinos accounted for nearly 13% of North Carolina’s total population, and nearly 30% of Latino migration to the U.S. in the past decade was shown to be concentrated in the South. Historian Perla Guerrero has referred to this demographic shift as the Nuevo South (New South), arguing these changes show that Latino communities in the South are no longer emergent but have been rooted in the region for several generations, bringing their music, dance, craft, and food practices with them.”
When and where can I listen to the album?
The album is set to release on Spotify by the end of December. Check out the band’s youtube channel for their latest music videos, singles, and any album teasers.