Buffalo Clover

After gaining a reputation as one of Nashville’s most eclectic bands, Buffalo Clover has recently settled into a steadier groove which has been a welcome infusion into the Music City bloodstream. Hailing from a farming town lodged deep in the Midwest, front-lady Margo Price grew up in a tiny town where music didn’t thrive. But music runs in her family and in her veins, and her restless soul soon led her to Nashville in the early aughts. There she met guitarist Jeremy Ivey, and the two soon became a couple as well as co-writers. In late 2008, they met bassist Matt Gardner, whose guitar chops were so good, he switched instruments, adding bassist Jason White. Drummer Dillon Napier joined in late 2010, and the final ingredient was keyboardist Amaia Aguire, who came from Spain to Nashville, and eventually married Jason. Ever since their formation nearly a decade ago, Buffalo Clover has attracted a variety of talent. Price has worked on three different projects with Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, including BC’s own latest endeavor, Test Your Love, which features Howard on BGVs. Pianist Micah Hulscher, who plays with rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson among others, recorded on Buffalo Clover’s last two records, and sometimes joins the band for live performances. They’ve also shared the stage with The Flaming Lips, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Wild Feathers, St. Paul and the Broken Bones and legendary sax player Bobby Keys, proving their southern soul style can match up with anyone. In the simplest terms, Buffalo Clover are vintage rock ‘n’ rollers, but the South tends to creep in. This brand of southern soul bears a striking resemblance to their idols, the Rolling Stones and The Band. Taking a cue from Bob Dylan with a lyrical poeticism inspired by the troubled times, and Janis Joplin with her rough-hewn-but-honest, bottom-of-the-heart soulful lilt, Buffalo Clover emulate their musical paragons in a style of their own. Never playing the same show twice speaks for the band’s genuineness and translates into a loyal local fan base. The band has toured Europe in both 2011 and 2013, including performances on the BBC and festivals in Spain. Out of their inborn wanderlust, and the encouragement of friends and fans there, they plan to return in 2014.