About Us

With the debut album in tow, Martin reassembled the band back home in North Carolina, recruiting Durham guitarist David Bernay (Holler) and bassist Jones Smith (Woodwork Road Show, Possum Creek) to create a string band trio that could tradeequally in thick hooks and sharp lyricism. In September 2009, Southern Cultures, an arts quarterly published by the Center for the Study of the American South, chose the track "Natural Ghost" for inclusion in their annual music issue.

After spending 2009 developing a loyal local following, the Tigers added bassist Seth Barden (the Brand New Life, Black Swamp Bootleggers) on upright in the Spring of 2010 (Smith having left to pursue a full time gig with Wilmington's Big Al Hall and the Marching Rams). And, when Bernay moved to Texas in July of 2010, Martin reached out to multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Andrew Marlin (Mandolin Orange). In August of 2010, the Tigers released "Like a Bridge That's a-Tumblin' Down," a recording of Bernay's final show with the group at the Local 506 in Chapel Hill.

That October, the Tigers released their second album, entitled The Last Night of the Revels. Recorded at Chapel Hill's infamous Rubber Room studio, Revels offered more polished sonics and deeper arrangements. The album also featured many of the most talented folk musicians as special guests, including Megafaun's Phil Cook, Mandolin Orange's Emily Frantz, Big Fat Gap's Bobby Britt and Chris Roszell, and Max Indian's James Wallace. Last Night of the Revels received praise from both local and national music press, including No Depression, The Independent, Twangville, Songs: Illinois, YES! Weekly, Triangle Music Blog, and AltCountryForum.

The Tigers are currently at work on their third record scheduled for a 2012/13 release.