(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – The David Wax Museum brings its rootsy fusion of folk, rock, Mexican and musical curiosity to the Colonial Theatre on Friday, January 4, 2013, at 8pm. A duo, the group features singer-guitarist David Wax, who primarily plays the jarana, a Mexican instrument similar to a guitar, and fiddler-vocalist Suz Slezak, who also plays quijada, a percussion instrument made from a donkey’s jawbone.
The David Wax Museum’s eclectic sound has deep roots in Mexican and American soil. On several trips south of the border, including a yearlong Harvard fellowship, David Wax immersed himself in the country’s rich traditional music culture, son mexicano, learning from the form’s living masters. Suz Slezak was homeschooled by her father on a small farm in rural Virginia, and reared on music — old time, Irish, classical, and folk. The two met in 2007 and began blending their unique musical perspectives to form the band.
After touring with The Avett Brothers, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and the Old 97s, the David Wax Museum picked up the 2010 Boston Music Awards Americana Artist of the Year. In 2011 they released their second album, the acclaimed Everything Is Saved. The album’s single “Born with a Broken Heart,” won the BMA’s Song of the Year, which they won again in 2012 for the song “Harder Before it Gets Easier.” Critical mass came with the band’s breakout performance at the 2010 Newport Folk Festival, an opportunity won by David Wax Museum fans in an online competition. NPR called their concert at Newport a highlight of the entire weekend; Bob Boilen of All Songs Considered filed their sound under “pure, irresistible joy”; and the Museum was invited back to Newport to play the 2011 main stage.
Tickets to David Wax Museum are $18-$10. Contact the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444. Tickets can also be bought online at Colonial Theatre. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain.