There are two things guitar/banjo duo Dirthog Newton is rooted in: homegrown, and… groundhog. What is Dirthog Newton? A made-up metaphorical groundhog character, or “whatever you want it to be?” One thing is for sure, they express rural folk spirit from the heart.
Photo Credit: Jacob Bergacs
Hailing from Northwest New Jersey, when Jacob Bergacs (acoustic guitar, banjo) and Louie Lassend (acoustic guitar, vocals) aren’t fishing and exploring, they’re creating folk music the way it was intended – natural jams in an old barn, with musical inspiration stemming from daily experiences, inside jokes, and surroundings.
Self-proclaiming their indebtedness to the “warm folk music of old,” Dirthog Newton invites listeners to enjoy the simple life through downhome twang, a distinct sound that only growing up in the outdoors can create. Noting influence from Norman Blake, the Grateful Dead, and Bob Dylan, Dirthog Newton’s sound is nothing short of earthy goodness.
Juxtaposed from the majority of modern pop that caters to aspirational living, Dirthog Newton songs create imaginative magic out of the ordinary, continuing the legacy of folk sound perfected centuries ago. A sound anchored to crafting stories that discuss the love, loss, and humor of what’s in front of us every day.
Photo Credit: Jacob Bergacs
“What if we are young people who want to play bluegrass and folk? What if we want to create a reaction from bringing ‘the everyday’ to the forefront?” Bergacs said. “We want to create – what we’re focused on is a sound like sitting on the porch, playing and laughing with the people you care about.”
Dirthog Newton emphasizes unserious, yet realistic stories with no intended meaning. The band challenges listeners to take their music and illustrate a personal meaning. This whimsical take is folk at its core, and invites connection.
“What does Dirthog Newton arise in your psyche?,” Lassend said. “Is it a place? Is it an animal? Is it a thing? It’s whatever Dirthog Newton means to you. And ultimately, what Dirthog Newton means, is the music that it represents.”
For example, recent single “Sally Harden” can simply tell the story of a fizzled out relationship, a girl named Sally, or to those familiar with the real-life Sally Harden Road, lyrics unfold into a narrative of the twists and turns of following a rural road with a sweet acoustic guitar melody and a plucky banjo accompaniment.
“I read it plainly right on your face, where we were headin’, you and me Sally Harden.”
Louie Lassend, “Sally Harden”
Holding a magnifying glass to the simplicity of mountain living is the essence of Dirthog Newton’s upcoming debut album, “Up On Pinewood Mountain,” releasing on Feb. 2 – that’s right, Groundhog Day.
Recorded at The Hayloft in Vernon, N.J. and mastered by West West Side Music in New Windsor, NY, “Up On Pinewood Mountain” remains Appalachian Trail-adjacent – full of rich community and local comforts.
All album imagery is local as well, photographed on film by Bergacs in Vernon, N.J..
Photo Credit: Jacob Bergacs
“It’s all supposed to be visually emblematic of the music itself,” Bergacs said. “It’s supposed to bring the listener closer [to the music].”
Three singles, “Locomotion Plateau,” “Sally Harden,” and namesake “Pinewood Mountain,” are available in preparation for the release of the album “Up On Pinewood Mountain.” The album will be on all streaming services on Feb. 2. See more from Dirthog Newton on Apple Music, Bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram and Youtube.
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