Inspired by the traditions in black and white of the Old South, the guitar duet-and-vocal project imagined by Mathis HAUG and Benoît NOGARET comes to grips with an enlightened repertoire mixing Blues, Folk and old time Country music. The result gives weight to the notion of Americana while breaking away from the trappings of nostalgia.
The songs of the Carter Family, Big Bill Broonzy, Doc Watson, Reverend Gary Davis, Bill Monroe or the Stanley Brothers find themselves rejuvenated by Haug and Nogaret. The duo adds to the mix a handful of personal compositions, reminding us that Southern music, largely inspired by its Native American and African heritage, owes much to its European roots.
Guitarist, singer, and producer Mathis Haug has been a mainstay of the European scene for more than two decades. He has recorded six albums under his own name for the Dixiefrog and Nueva Onda labels, as well as an EP produced in Memphis.
Guitarist Benoit Nogaret has been influenced by American popular music since he was a child. Hailing from a musical family, he was encouraged by his father to take up the guitar and rapidly became a much sought-after player, on stage and in the studio.
Fired by their common passion for the acoustic guitar and authentic American music, Mathis and Benoît started playing together for fun in their kitchen over twenty years ago.
Benoît was working as a postman at the time and spent all his free time honing his guitar skills.
As for Mathis, he was burning up the highways with his own group when he wasn’t peddling his wares as guitarist and
bandleader for the likes of legendary Moroccan vocalist Oum, Tuscarora Nation artist and activist Pura Fé, harmonica wizard J.J. Milteau, blues greats Eric Bibb and Bid Daddy Wilson, jazz diva Angie Wells, as well as French Pop singer and former First Lady Carla Bruni who hired him as sideman, composer and producer.
When they were not on tour, Mathis and Benoît often warmed up their fingers together by playing tunes borrowed from the song bags of Big Bill Broonzy, Lead Belly, Ralph Stanley, showing their extensive knowledge of Americana.
Listening to Doc Watson’s recordings, they soon realized that the old master had recorded most of their favorite songs: “Whiskey Before Breakfast,” “Nashville Blues,” “Banks of the Ohio,” “Little Sadie,” “Rock, Salt and Nails”… Delving into the works of the North Carolina maestro, they decided to celebrate their friendship with a recorded tribute to Doc.
“Performing this warm music, initiating a rich dialogue with fellow musicians in the Internet era, introducing our old master Doc Watson to a whole new generation of Southern music fans is a major source of joy and satisfaction for us.” Mathis Haug and Benoît Nogaret.
This initial collaboration in the studio, entitled Sitting on top of the world , has been hailed by many Blues, Folk and Country specialists. This success has paved the way for a radiant and spirited stage program. Their polyphonic, call-and-response approach to the guitar duet formula is a fitting celebration of American music art form.
“I heard both “Deep River Blues” and “Little Sadie” and they sound wonderful. I look forward to meeting you guys down the road in real life someday.” Chris Eldrige (guitarist and singer of Punch Brothers)
