The Builders and The Butchers

Some of the best rustic music being made today is coming out of Portland, Oregon, by groups such as The Builders and The Butchers, who lend an infectious exuberance to a form of music that's been performed ad nauseam since before folk was an actual genre. Many bands perform folk...

By Tom Murphy

September 4, 2008

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Some of the best rustic music being made today is coming out of Portland, Oregon, by groups such as The Builders and The Butchers, who lend an infectious exuberance to a form of music that's been performed ad nauseam since before folk was an actual genre. Many bands perform folk and blues with punk-rock energy, but like their fellow Oregonians in Hillstomp, The Builders and The Butchers do so with a true respect for the roots while furthering the art form. Known for turning shows into interactive events, the act sweeps you up in a celebratory embrace and gives lie to the notion that music like this must come from places rife with rednecks and tumbleweeds.

Tom Murphy is a writer, visual artist and musician from Aurora, Colorado. He was a prolific music writer for Westword and a documenter of the Denver music scene.

A message from Music Editor Emily Ferguson: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today