The Elderblossoms originated as a ragtag crew of Utah friends uniting in the deep woods of Clifftop, West Virginia to stay up all night and play old time music. The Western-based group shares a deep appreciation for the traditional music, but also brings a fresh approach to harmony and groove that allowed their sound to forge a new path through the forests of Clifftop and all the way back home to Salt Lake City.

Hot Chocolate & Accolades is a prolific debut album of 19 tracks recorded in a snowy cabin tucked away yards from the ski slopes of Brighton, Utah. The members hauled gear via snowmobile into one cozy room and picked tunes from dusk until dawn until the roaring laughter faded to quiet yawns. This is a document of what Utah’s old time scene sounds like as much as it is a testament to five dear friends sharing in life together.

The Elderblossoms—Grayson Wickel (fiddle), Melissa Chilinski (banjo), Ben Weiss (mandolin), Nathan Royal (guitar), and David Baker (bass)—explore an unusual dichotomous blend of high octane, raging shred and also sentimental, misty-eyed gentleness. Featured throughout is the daring incorporation of jazz harmonies, group vocals, Travis picking, slap bass, and influences firmly outside of the fiddle world. The group recognizes that they live outside of the known fiddle centers of the world and so they have embraced the unique sounds that make the group Utahn.

Among the traditional standards are two original tunes. “Ash on the Bridge” was written by David Baker and became a staple of the annual Trashmoon Collective desert hang in 2023 and “Back in the Van Again” is a Ben Weiss original that is the epitome of an earworm. Peppered throughout the album are three vignettes that distill the essence of that snowy cabin: “hot”, “chocolate”, “and accolades.” These are three reminders of the deep joy and excitement the Elderblossoms share amongst themselves. Lastly, don’t skip “Old Time at Night,” a postlude that is sure to leave you wanting more.

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Catalog #: WMR2404