Pitchfork Fest Band Profiles: A Hawk and a Hacksaw

Who: A Hawk and a Hacksaw
Location: Albuquerque, NM
RIYL: Beirut, Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control
Thoughts: The story of A Hawk and a Hacksaw is kind of a strange one. Despite being linked to some truly fantastic bands the band has never garnered too much attention for themselves, which is a damn shame because they are a fine band in their own right. Jeremy Barnes is probably better known to all of you as the former drummer of Neutral Milk Hotel, but he and violinist Heather Trost have been making music as A Hawk and a Hacksaw since 2002. Their real big break came in 2006 when they were the only musicians to appear on Beirut's Gulag Orkestar other then Zach Condon. It's odd to me that musicians with such strong roots in a scene that is as well respected as the Elephant 6 collective wouldn't have to rely on a 19-year old musical prodigy, but then it wouldn't be a strange path to the point they're at now. No matter what it took for them to reach this point in their career, they are here now and it is well deserved. Their mostly instumental form of Balkan music is beautiful and spiritual. It's fantastic stuff and it's well worth you're attention at the fest.
Listen: A Hawk and a Hacksaw - "Salt Water"
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - "The Sparrow"