Sol Driven Train

"If you need to visualize the soul, think of it as a kind of train. Yes, a long, lonesome freight train rumbling from generation to generation on an eternally rainy morning: its boxcars are
loaded with sighs and laughter, its hobos are angels, its engineer is the queen of spades - and the queen is wild. Whoo-whoo! Hear that epiphanic whistle blow. The train's destination is the godhead, but it stops at the Big Bang, at the orgasm, and at the hole in the fence that the red fox sneaks through down behind the barn. It's simultaneously a local and an express, but it doesn't transport weaponry, and it certainly ain't no milk run."- Tom Robbins, Villa Incognito

In these slow economic times, many artists have been forced to scale back their touring schedule due to rising travel costs, venue closures, and the shrinking budgets of corporate sponsors, talent buyers, and music appreciators. Sol Driven Train has chugged through the recession, picking up new fans at every stop. Perpetually piling on and off the bus, the momentum of their hard work and heart-felt music propels the group upward. At shows, the band members bounce to the pulse of the music along with the crowd. Stylistically the band “seamlessly mixes Allmanesque Southern rock, languid worldbeat, swampy funk and downright catchy melodies as they swap lead singers and instruments. A punchy horn section adds an extra dimension of sweaty soul to the genre-blurring jam party” (Atlanta Creative Loafing, 11/21/06).

The band has been keeping it real on the road, averaging over 150 shows per year since 2005 at festivals, clubs, and community centers. In those 4 quick years, they have traveled the length of the east coast and as far west as Colorado, and shared bills and stages with a diverse array of artists, including Micheal Franti, Richie Havens, Keller Williams, The Samples, Blueground Undergrass, Billy Jonas, Blues Traveler, and Arlo Guthrie. Despite the pace, the band takes time on the road to enjoy outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, surfing, rock climbing, and cloud gazing. The tour schedule has begun to resemble the nomadic wanderings of a raft guide, ski bum, and itinerant surfer racing between the mountains and the beach.

Documentation of the band's work on the road can be found in the form of a live concert DVD released fall 2009. "Live at
the Windjammer" is an intimate look at the band on stage at one of their favorite seaside venues, and features several
unreleased songs as well as material from previous releases. The footage was shot by the production team for GillznFinz, a fishing and lifestyle television show entering its second season that weaves fishing footage from around the world with some of today's premiere live concert experiences. Sol Driven Train will join the company of Widespread Panic, Umphrey's McGee, Snoop Dog, and Slightly Stoopid when a portion of their Windjammer concert appears on the show next season, due to begin on the Versus TV network in January 2010.

In between tours, Sol Driven Train has been writing and recording material for their new studio album, due for release in
the spring of 2010. Recording sessions have been taking place in a mountain studio near Asheville, NC and near their
lowcountry home of Charleston, SC. This will be the bands fifth independent release in as many years. Previous releases
include “Lighthouse,” a studio release receiving airplay on independent radio stations from North Carolina to Wyoming, a
live album “Live on the Outer Banks,” and two collections of children’s songs “Tajar Tracks vol. I and II,” the second of which is being played on Pandora.com. Through online sales and sales at concerts, the band has sold nearly 10,000 units, and download sales are growing.

Sol Driven Train's fall 2009 schedule has the band giving back to non-profit organizations and educational initiatives at
events to benefit Livestrong, Camp Happy Days, American Whitewater, Sautee-Nacoochee Community Center, Trip Paige
Education Initiative, Charleston County Parks Conservancy, Charleston County School District, and Wando High School
Marching Band (alma mater).

The band enjoys Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka as a tour sponsor and over ice with a splash of lemonade.