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Gimme one good reason: The Brothers Gillespie to play Canton Labor Day

The Brothers Gillespie will perform in Canton Sept. 1. Donated photo

Since their formation in 2018, The Brothers Gillespie have become one of the must-see rock acts emerging from Western North Carolina and greater Southern Appalachia. A sonic blend of Americana, indie and folk stylings, the quintet remains steadfast, inspired and, more importantly, hungry for what’s just beyond the horizon of their intent.

“Creatively and sonically, we’re better than we’ve ever been,” said guitarist Aaron Gillespie. “When we first started out, like all bands, there’s a period of becoming, where you kind of figure out your sound and your style and who you are.”

With its last album, “American Pastoral” (2022), TBG offered up a 19-song opus about the state of this country, the “Where are we?” and “Where to from here?” sentiment floating the minds of many looking around and trying to see the forest for the trees. And it was during this recording where the group started to truly find its musical identity.

“Since then, we’ve been sharpening it with every new song and every new piece of material,” Gillespie said. “We have a pretty good sense of who we are now and what works for us, both creatively and directionally.”

Now, some seven years into the bountiful endeavor, TBG — which includes lead singer Davis Gillespie, drummer Clay Gillespie, guitarist Chance Kuehn and bassist JR Williams — remain as determined as ever to push further and farther out of Southern Appalachia.

“In terms of intent and passion — it’s all still there. It’s a more mature understanding of the landscape of being a working band in this current era, but it’s there,” Aaron said. “We’re hungry, but our palate is more refined. We know what’s good for us and will nourish us. We needed a couple years on the road cutting our teeth and learning the rules of the game to truly get to a point where our approach is refined.”

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And it’s that live realm that remains the bread and butter for TBG. Known for wild-n-out, whirlwind performances — whether it be under the neon lights at some East Tennessee dive bar or simply a hometown throw-down in their native Waynesville — that sacred space of plugging in and rocking out resides at the core of why the band does what it does.

“It’s why we do it at all. We love playing music at any capacity,” Kuehn noted. “A fisherman is out there all day catching fish because deep down that brings them joy. We’re out there catching fish and they sound good. The live world is incredibly frustrating at times, but so is fishing.”

For Kuehn and his bandmates, it’s all about hitting the stage and proving their worth through original arrangements, all of which funneled through this keen rock-n-roll lens of attitude and authenticity.

“Over time, it just gets sweeter. As the songs age, and the artist, [too], each song gives new meaning and adaptation,” Kuehn said. “It’s an honor to get to share the stage with so many of my friends over the years and to do what we love in front of amazing people that support us. That will never get old, dated or something not worth doing.”

When it comes to their home of Western North Carolina, TBG finds itself consistently in awe of these ancient mountains and the unique folks who inhabit the high peaks and low valleys of this region.

“Growing up here and living here has shaped who we are, so it’s inherent in our music. As much as we experiment and take influence from a pretty wide variety of music, [WNC] is still just there in the back or in some cases very obviously at the forefront,” Clay said. “The people and places here are who these songs are about. And I think that is palpable. It resonates with not just people from Waynesville or Haywood County, but all 23 counties this side of the state.”

When asked about the role of the singer-songwriter in the modern era, one of incessant white noise and constant digital distraction, Davis finds the role as important as ever. That respect for the craft is always at the forefront whenever he sits down with a guitar and begins to chip away at a new melody echoing through his heart and soul.

“I’ve definitely found, as I’ve gotten older, that I want to be more thoughtful and careful about what I say. Mainly, I want to make sure I put good things out into the world and that it’s authentic,” Davis said. “[And] that’s probably the biggest responsibility of being the singer-songwriter, essentially speaking for the band as a whole, and being the voice that everyone is hearing. I want to make sure our message and our image comes across as authentic and genuine.”

And it’s that genuine sense of self that rises to the top of each melody conjured and captured, shared and sung by The Brothers Gillespie.

“These are real experiences I’ve had — and we’ve had — and these are our actual thoughts and feelings and perspectives and interpretations of the world,” Davis said. “And I think if you can capture that, and convey it in the least amount of words possible, do it with a catchy melody and make it pretty, that’s the goal — that’s songwriting, that’s music.”

Want to go?

The 117th Canton Labor Day Festival will take place Aug. 31-Sept. 1 at Sorrells Street Park in downtown.

• Sunday, Aug. 31: musical acts include Outlaw Whiskey (1 p.m.), Tricia Ann Band (2:30 p.m.) , Commodore Fox Band (4 p.m.), Dirty Grass Soul (5:45 p.m.) and Craig Morgan (7:30 p.m.)

• Monday, Sept. 1: Bailey Mountain Cloggers (noon), Xander Wells (12:45 p.m.), Steve Jordan (2 p.m.), The Brothers Gillespie (3:45 p.m.), Nick & Brew (5:30 p.m.) and Balsam Range (7 p.m.).

Tickets are $15 for a two-day pass or $10 for a one-day. To note, chairs are required for music events, as there will be no standing allowed. As well, the Labor Day Parade will run from 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1, in downtown.

For more information, a full schedule of activities and/or to purchase tickets, visit cantonlaborday.com.

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