The songs, voices, and playing styles of these two singer-songwriters have brought impressive comparisons: the rock feel of Counting Crows, melody and harmony of CSN and Indigo Girls, and arrangements that demonstrate an allegiance to the craft of songwriting. The band's recent awards and growing recognition come just as they release their new record, "any place at all." David von Beck founded Straw Dogs and the band toured the bulk of the U.S. in support of its 1998 Legends & Lies release, which he largely penned. After paring down to a duo for live shows, David turned to longtime friend and co-writer Darren Smith, from the Colorado-based touring band Stranger Neighbor.
With the lower stage volumes and cleaner sound that can be obtained by a duo, Straw Dogs has proven themselves capable of conveying their fresh pop songs in a high-output live show that matches any full-band rock performance. Two guys and two guitars, with little if anything left at the mercy of the sound engineer. This is a rock show, pop music at the source: Clear suck-you-in melody, full voice harmony, pick-in-the-strum pulse and power.
