With two Australians, THE GREENCARDS are probably the least likely Austin-formed/Nashville-based band you’ve ever heard. The critically acclaimed band’s love and respect for Americana, bluegrass, jazz and country brought them together in 2003 and--now signed to Sugar Hill Records--the trio released their fourth album FASCINATION April 21 and tour extensively throughout 2009. They’ve already toured for six weeks with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, earned the Americana Music Award in 2006 for “Emerging Artist of the Year” and in 2008 and 2010 landed a Grammy nominations (“Best Country Instrumental Performance” for Viridian and Fascination). Their urge to challenge themselves, to test the limits of any established genre, guided The Greencards--singer/bassist Carol Young and multiple string-instrument master Kym Warner from Australia on their first three albums.

Fascination is the band’s most daring accomplishment to date. Meticulously crafted arrangements serve as springboards for exhilarating improvisations. Acoustic textures and Carol Young’s moving vocals shimmer in the light of Jay Joyce’s innovative production. “We’d heard all these great records that Jay had made with Patty Griffin, John Hiatt and so many artists we love,” Young says. “But how would he utilize the fiddle, cello, mandolin, bouzouki, and bass–the core of the band–without putting layers and electronic sounds on it? We were very pleasantly surprised at how he just wanted us to play the songs and let our instruments speak for themselves.”

“Fascination takes on bluegrass, folk and country and something more stylish, deconstructed alt-rock and pop played on acoustic instruments”. - Nashville Scene