Shady Groove

David Wax Museum

If you haven’t yet heard of David Wax Museum, take the time to find out. These guys are the real deal.  The duo put on a high-energy, raucous show at Johnny Brenda’s in Philly last friday.  The packed crowd was very appreciative as the band rolled through a great set of music.

Their sound is wonderfully interesting, fusing mexican folk music and entertaining, hopeful lyrics. Upon first sight and sound, it is instantly evident that they set themselves apart, most notably because they play cool Mexican instruments. A donkey jawbone makes several appearances and provides an oddly pleasing rattling sound. That’s right. A donkey jawbone, more specifically called a quijada.  If thats not cool, I don’t know what is….

David studied Latin American history and literature and spent a lot of time in Mexico’s La Huasteca region. After graduating he traveled once again south of the border and quickly became immersed in the music.

“As a foreigner, I quickly discovered that music is the great connector,” Wax said. “In Mexico, folk [music] is such a communal experience – it’s very joyful, very inclusive, and very inspiring.”

Its not surprising that he then set his sights on being proficient on the Mexican jarana and mastered three forms of Mexican sons (sounds): son jarocho (think, “La Bamba,”), the made-for-dancing son huasteco, and the fiddle-driven son calentano.  David Wax (guitar, jarana, vocals) and his musical partner Suz Slezak (fiddle, quijada, vocals) take this novel musical genre, dubbed Mexo-Americana and create an exciting, entertaining experience that should not be passed up.

Catch the Museum if you can.