Praise for Middle of the Morning:

“Austin bluegrass done right.”

Austin’s bluegrass bands usually find themselves as sonically displaced as they are geographically, caught between Appalachian old time and Colorado/California new-grass in an usually uncomfortable schizophrenic jumble. The Lost Pines avoid that trap behind Asheville, N.C., native Christian Ward, whose quintet’s local debut primarily tunes toward the Blue Ridge, supported by rolling banjo and Thomas McGregor’s traditional fiddle. The influence of Texas open-plains country also seeps in on ballads such as “Sarsaparilla Sam” and “West Texas.” Ward’s clipped, throaty drawl is rough-hewn and achingly raw, even on the string stompers such as “Die Some Day” and “Wagon Wheels,” but Talia Sekons’ harmonies give the group its glow. Her lead on “Won’t You Be My Baby” and “Drifter” balance Ward’s edge, and closer “Valley Forge” unfolds as a tender piano-and-guitar folk tune that may be Middle of the Morning’s best offering. Austin bluegrass done right.

Doug Freeman, The Austin Chronicle

There are three things that determine whether a band is musically worthy. They are (in descending order) vocals, material and instrumental skill.  The Lost Pines have them all. Their vocals have always been spot on and they’ve only gotten better.  Their material has been original and creative since the beginning, not an afterthought, and there is no shortage of well-executed instrumental breaks, especially from the fiddle and lead guitar.  I’m looking forward to great things from them!

Tom Pittman, Austin Lounge Lizards

Austin has just given birth to yet another one of those spunky Roots bands that’s as hard to pigeon hole as it’s predecessors. Blessed with some very talented youngsters and some heavy Bluegrass, Old Timey, Blues and Texas Swing influences, these folks have put together a terrific CD called “Middle of the Morning”. Featuring twelve original tunes ranging from the somewhat Bluesy/Bluegrassy Gospel “Bible Down” to the haunting “Valley Forge” featuring some very soulful piano and Talia’s beautiful vocals. A talented group that’ll set your Americana hearts on fire! Catch ‘em live around the Central Texas area.

Keith Davis, Strictly Bluegrass, KOOP Radio 91.7FM

The latest wrinkle in the Austin area Hill Country bluegrass scene nail their debut with the spirit of the high, lonesome sound, with sweetly pine-scented songs and a loose-limbed musicality that adds up to genuine charm.

Rob Patterson, Texas Music Magazine

It almost seems unfathomable to think that young people would give a sweet damn about traditional bluegrass. But The Lost Pines have proven those living inside the box completely wrong. Middle Of The Morning is straight down to earth, Texas good timin’ tunes. Like a batch of Woodie Guthrie followers from the sixties, a new craze is being built. One banjo pluck at a time.

A dosie doe inducing track like “Won’t You Be My Baby” not only sounds convenient for your local county fair, but for your showcase hotel lounge as well. And “Sarsaparilla Sam” has a beautiful harmony dedicated to the hard working, death awaitin’ nobody hero hidden behind the curtains of America. The Lost Pines are far from lost when it comes to providing depression-era interpretation of the beauty that can be transcribed through the harsh idealism of what it means to be down, yet trying to feel good.

The lyrical trade offs of lead vocalists Talia Sekons and Christian Ward is impeccably perfect. They understand when they should work together, and when their individual efforts would be most preferred according to particular tracks. And, of course, the back up band is brilliant at what they do. From the upright bass, to the beloved fiddle, The Lost Pines reminisce on the old times and bring a new flavor of bluegrass to the indie world that has decided to supersede old world compilations.

FensePost

Austin, Texas is a music magnet. It draws pickers like the proverbial moths to a flame. That fire is what drew Asheville, North Carolina native Christian Ward into the backyard song circles where he met Talia Sekons. Christian’s songs and Talia’s voice and rhythm guitar were a solid match. The Lost Pines went from busking to recording to a full line-up in about a year and released their debut, Middle of the Morning. The original duo is now joined by another guitar, upright bass, mandolin and fiddle.

Middle of the Morning wears its strong bluegrass influences proudly. Add in a mix of country and folk blended with three part harmonies and the sound of the album becomes clear. Opening with the bluegrass blast of ‘Die Some Day’, the pace is set. Each track provides the capable players a vehicle for their riffs. The music is a mighty force on the album. The drive of the songs is nearly a physical presence. The forward thrust of tracks such as ‘Wagon Wheels’, ‘Bible Down’ and ‘Drifter’ demand toes tapped. There are some slower paces to with emotional offerings such as ‘Soldier’s Lullaby’ and ‘Valley Forge’, whose echoey piano and heartbreak vocals bring the album home. There is a joy to the Appalachian textures that are alive and well on The Lost Pines debut. The band are local favorites recently registering Top 5 in The Austin Readers Polls categories, Folk (#4) and Bluegrass (#2).

The Alternate Root

Austin bluegrass can be hard to come by, but the Lost Pines bring a heavy bluegrass, country influence. Often featured on KUT and KOOP, the Lost Pines have traveled the music scene heavily. With more of an Appalachian bluegrass feel, they produce an authentically delightful album that you ought to pick up. 5.0 McRiprock’s

Austin Daze