Fri 3/15 @ Sat 3/16 @ 8PM
After leaving Northeast Ohio folk rock group the Speedbumps in 2015, Kent-based Abby Rose found herself at a crossroads. Having previously quit her geography job as a mapmaker, the singer-songwriter was looking for her next musical adventure. Little did she know that opportunity would present itself at a Rubber City wine bar.
“At the time I was focusing on my solo stuff and just needed to get out and play,” said Youngstown native Rose, who lives in Parma. “So I would Facebook search any musical events in the area. I came across an open mic night at The Uncorked Wine Bar. That’s the night I met David.”
Guitarist and mandolinist David Mayfield is a Grammy- and Emmy Award-nominated artist and producer, who grew up playing bass and touring in his family’s bluegrass band. His resume including recording and touring with the likes of the Avett Brothers, the Black Keys and Mumford & Sons.
Soon after the chance meeting, the two artists — under the name Cave Twins — were drawn together sharing songwriting ideas and creating tight harmonies. From a songwriting perspective, it turns out Mayfield is Bernie Taupin to Rose’s Elton John.
“It’s pretty cool because he’ll send me lyrics and I’ll come up with the melody and a song,” Rose said. “A lot of times I’ll do a voice memo and send it back.”
After a few years of digitally exchanging ideas, Cave Twins recently cut and self-produced their debut, Best Friends for Now, at Mayfield’s Sweetside Recording Company. An intimate and peaceful affair, the album so far has garnered comparisons to Moldy Peaches and the Civil Wars.
“We’re really focused around having good songs, kind of capturing the essence of each,” Rose said. “But the whole album isn’t perfect. It’s actually very far from it, with a lot of mistakes and a lot of little things left in there that typically may have been cut out of the record.”
The twosome celebrates the release of Best Friends for Now with a pair of show at the Rialto Theatre in Akron. The first, on Fri 3/15, sold out, so a second show has been added the following night.
In the band press materials, Cave Twins have created a faux backstory (think Jack and Meg White) of being identical twin siblings.
“We have reason to believe we’re identical twins because we so obviously have similar features and an uncanny resemblance,” Rose said. “So we believe we have a common ancestor.”
Ultimately, Rose and Mayfield do possess a shared musical DNA, which is obvious on Best Friends for Now.
[Written by John Benson]
Akron, OH 44314