ROB STENSON /// Gold Mountain EP

[@peggymoser678]

It's been a few years since this video came out. I emailed Rob about his playing and he told me a few things. 1. This banjo was given to him by his dad and it has a 13" head which means it was a custom job from Kevin Enoch. I didn't find out what gauge strings he used, but they are definitely steel. Beyond that, Rob has recorded a unique sound that is beautiful in its simplicity and complexity.

[@neillconnor]

This chap is a genius, making his own composition within the framework of a a well known traditional tune. Inspirational. I'd traval many continents to see this chap

[@PecktheTownCrier]

Really cool music and filmmaking. The vintage album cover framing a moving picture is really original and surprising. Vulfpeck always hits me with this wonderful "why didn't i think of that?" feeling :)

[@jeppesvan]

I just now realised the reference of the layout of this album artwork. It's almost a 1:1 remake of Elisabeth Cotten's 1989 record 'Freight Train And Other North Carolina Folk Songs And Tunes'. I think the little punched hole in the top-right corner is even copy-pasted from there. Love the homage and love this EP so much. Who would have thought that Jack and Vulf would bring us one of the all-time best clawhammer banjo releases. Lit!

[@jehugo66]

I like how the dog doesn't faze but inspires him for a moment of picki back at it.

[@KennethWilliamElkington]

This guy is wired a whole lot different than the rest of us pedestrians... get yer Cosmic Banjer right here folks!

[@DavidWilt]

So I've never purchased an album on itunes before. Kind of hate the whole itunes thing...this is the first album I've ever purchased on it. It was worth every penny. Incredible talent. Just mind blowing. Keep up the incredible work! And I second the request for vinyl. I'd pay a pretty penny for it.

[@freaking1122]

I just love the peeking of the dog at 6:50. Goes so well with the whole feel of the music

[@SpaceHarpoon]

Leroy Troy is good, but this guy has a fantastic new take on a lot of classic banjo tunes. he sure knows how to slide around on that fretless. If you don't like it, go listen to something else. Me personally, I like it a lot.

[@brew1138]

It is called "half fretted", just the first 5 or 6 frets left off. Wonderful slides down low and the accuracy of frets up where a little teeny distance makes a biggie difference. Some fun. Yah, this guy has the touch! So cool!

[@fgonzales2001]

This music is so soothing. When work gets stressful, I put on my earbuds and play this vid and it all melts away. Can't wait to buy this on iTunes.

[@JohnAdams-tr8ji]

Very fluid-and dynamics on every string sing. Thanks for lifting me.

[@JesseBlueEads]

Vulf and old-time music, a wonderful collision of my worlds

[@guywolff]

One of my favorite banjo players . what a gift he has .. Glad he is in the world ...

[@bornwithawoodenleg]

Just thought to look up Rob Stenson after seeing a video of him a little while ago; glad I did, I just bought the EP.

[@calvb8349]

This is what i have on in the background at home when i have shed loads of work to do....beautiful music. Fantastic playing. Thank you.

[@shreklifeforever]

Rob’s style is a huge influence on my playing. I’ve been trying to emulate his style for nearly 4 years and I’m not near as good as this.

[@MoeShinola1]

Sounds kinda sitar-y, it's a very welcome vibe.

[@8bitvillain]

Your flow and groove rocks my world.

[@LautariTchavo]

What amazing album!!! I just love it so much, thanks Vulf and mr. Rob! Hugs from Brazil

[@joemathieu8723]

This is wonderful stuff.......listen to it everyday.....thx Rob.

[@ourloveourfriendship]

I listen to this a lot, this is so beautiful

[@UnQuestionableFilms]

I love Cumberland Gap! He nails it just right!

[@KingMilesTagoyet]

sooooo good! Just beautiful. Thank you.

[@alexvanbergeijk609]

I just had the worst day ever, and this music is saving my mortal soul right about now; it’s like ASMR.

[@Tegart.pottery]

This is fantastic. Thanks! Made my Monday morning pretty great.

[@christopherhoracek9659]

Thank you so much for this! I was nervous I was never going to hear anymore Rob.

[@SueAnnieLand]

Ha... I've got it playing on FB link and on KZbin and it's in stereo... am going to go buy on iTunes this morning. Haven't heard this kind of pickin' in ages and I needed it in my soul.

[@jules_borel]

Thank you

[@forresto]

Nice picking, and sweet "video EP" design.

[@jehugo66]

I concur

[@johnwells1872]

Fantastic!

[@Banjolution]

Wowsers. That's what ya call Dynamic! Amazing...

[@Fonzymucha]

Fantastic. Old School.

[@Kazoomco]

heard this for first time, downloading from itunes now. love it.

[@MrBothsider]

Cool man! Sucha jolly banjo musical landscape! Thanks lol, you made me Feliz

[@robpfisher]

Great playing, love he's style

[@greenleafgarrison4169]

This is amazing!

[@mattlong2242]

Thanks for this...loved it.

[@ofirmarzouk]

Beautiful!

[@lyndonlondon]

He's a genius, he could make playing banjos the coolest thing...

[@spgokc78]

Simply wonderful!!

[@skybldev]

god damn that dog on the third tune really made the whole album

[@RandyNLA]

Been scouring the Internet looking for more from Rob since that video surfaced a while ago with him in the back yard and the synth pads under it. MUCH prefer the banjo by itself. $6 on iTunes?!? Instant buy.

[@zasdercom662]

great songs, robbie!

[@MrGratefulheart]

Really, really nice pickin'... Also, Frisher!!!

[@yvbanjo1127]

Great playing and great concept!

[@ray8up]

Absolutely amazing!

[@davidsawyer988]

He's got a real Harmonic touch!

[@Irwin542]

Impressive playing Rob!

[@nathanbasurto8246]

I think this is just about the most American thing I've ever heard.

[@mchrisblake]

incredible!

[@snpassmore4032]

Yeah. Great use of space and dynamics...

[@wolfgang4627]

iam big fans of the thrills .... and this is outstanding !!!

[@mopslopanbucket]

playing a banjo with a mic, I've found to be unpredictable- but he shows it who's boss

[@missoliviasophie]

you are very talented!

[@jehugo66]

You oughta be in Nashville!

[@margueritebrown2720]

this is really dope

[@tomwhaley3335]

Can't get enough

[@KeanSprout.]

Great jam fellow Son of Sten.

[@joanlemaster6712]

liking it........ liking it whole bunches.......

[@wawa99]

awesome!

[@RicardoNask]

really good!

[@joshuagoodman3854]

So CaliFORnia! But like John Fahey, so very sweet to listen to...and to watch!!

[@JesseMason]

i. love. this.

[@badandy880]

Oh my sweet fuck! This blew my mind. Unbelievable.

[@mollyrabinowitz8120]

this is the best

[@nathano87]

Syncopate much? Love your sound

[@hillt0py0deler]

@radicoolfool, it looks like the old Zoom H2 audio recorder with the foam windscreen cover on it. Look closely and you'll see that there is no mic cable.

[@HarryDiplock]

Get out. Great little gem of an EP

[@NCflyfisher1]

Oh, I've heard plenty of clawhammer banjo before now. I've just never heard anyone create the kind of effect he does.

[@brlyderder4095]

Right on man, except poor Jerry is gone and nothins gonna bring him back

[@maulaff15]

this made my night great...thanxs DX

[@banjoaficionadosn.dadventc2568]

Mesmerizing. Thank you. What have you been up to lately? Move onto another instrument? another style? Can anyone recommend anything similar? I have one for you: Zac Fortin.

[@peterrees6346]

I still wonder what happened to you. A single incredible album and then silence.

[@peterrees6346]

He’s alive and playing…. Or at least he was a year or so back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/opXKeZZrnt6nhdU

[@georgeboomsmamusic]

Beut sounding banjo that!

[@rasputinsghost]

woo!!!

[@NCflyfisher1]

Is it just me, or does his style make it sound like multiple instruments are being played?

[@xagnutazuregos9312]

Why say anything at all? I mean we all know how good you are from all the music YOU'VE put out. I think "Unwavering Prejudiced Hick" is an awesome song and all, but... See how easy it is to cast unfounded aspersions toward somebody you don't even know? Why tread on someone else's obvious talent? Is it the beard? The shirt? His age? Are you jealous you can't do that? I hear a person with an incredible grasp on an instrument most never even try to play for fear of sounding like you. Kudos Rob!

[@robinshelton2132]

ROB STENSON!!!

[@KyleBernard0]

Ohmahgoodness. Where did you learn to play this way? How would you recommend someone who has been on and off learning for a few years to start on this path???

[@blickwickle]

yep, although only on the later B-parts of soldier's joy as far as I know

[@norwoodjazz]

Book of Cinders: 12:30 “Is minig a bha claidheamh math an droch thruaill.”

[@ireland776]

Dea-radhrac an Ghàidhlig a fheiceáil scríofa ar KZbin :)

[@nedohamilli]

normally i would switch off after 3 minutes of hillbilly stuff ,but this guy is moving beyond the edges of normal ,what a musician .

[@AN-jz3px]

edmund hamill Funny. Hillbillies are the original composers of where he learned this music.

[@dankinsler1930]

I wonder if he does gigs? It would be cool to listen to him live.

[@MipeDinkums]

Awesome. You should sing more.

[@TOxholm]

is he occasionally picking up with his pointer finger?

[@jonnyf]

Best!

[@chas5131]

Virtuoso

[@craigmitchell8892]

over time this has become one of my favourite things to listen to, so much so recently ive been exploring the world of clawhammer banjo and started learning on a banjolele I got on ebay. Would looove to have this on Vinyl. Can anyone recommend similar things? I'm struggling to find specifically solo clawhammer banjo (it doesnt reach my heart as much in the band context)

[@stevensteven8714]

Don't know if it's any help but particular favourites of mine are Morgan Sexton, Matt Kinman and Clifton Hicks. All can be found on KZbin. I also subscribe to Clifton on Patreon and have done for about three years now. For a few bucks a month I get loads of tabs and instructional videos. Hope this helps.

[@jordanputt]

Adam Hurt, specifically his album Earth Tones

[@m0mauri]

That moment when he follows the plane with a solo

[@Muscuito]

Great

[@thehighrisequartet4351]

DAMN.

[@lionofbuddha]

WOW great video! Very inspirational. What type of bano are your playing? Thank you for posting this video!

[@TOxholm]

haha, as far as YOU know, huh? I think that's a fairly solid source to put my faith in. Around what time does soldier's joy start? I notice that it isn't in any of the track names on the iTunes download. This stuff is really amazing. Thank you.

[@scottsedam3563]

Is he still playing anywhere? Such a talent.

[@rsaathoff]

any CDs of this marvelous player?

[@waynecampbell75]

the best

[@TheFossie12]

The Rob, the dawg, the birds the sitar, the voice, removed my earplug to see if that chopper was in my head or over my house.......outstanding:)

[@jmrocker]

will we ever be able to get a physical copy of this?

[@dobrodave123]

6:50 Vulf, unhand that animal !

[@SpamFaceJr]

I wanna know too! Let me know if you find out please :)

[@adamzimmerman3356]

Where can I buy your album. Thanks