By William Michael Smith

(LSM March/April 2011/vol. 4 – Issue 2)

Austin roots-music favorites the Gourds have just signed a deal with prestigious folk label Vanguard Records for their next project, the follow-up to 2009’s Haymaker! The band is set to record the album with former Bob Dylan and current Levon Helm guitarist Larry Campbell in March at Helm’s studio in Woodstock, N.Y. Kevin Russell said he expects the majority of the album to be recorded live, with minimal overdubbing: “We’re all agreed we’re going for a very organic feel on this one.” Campbell produced Helm’s last two Grammy-nominated albums, Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt.