. Catalog Number: DBS019lp Color: Black Format: LP UPC: 600609903292 Up Around The Sun is a new project from DIY/punk legend Tim Kerr (Big Boys, Poison 13) and Austin clawhammer banjoist Jerry Hagins. Born out of old-time music sessions in Texas, it's a collaboration that defies expectations, blending the sounds of Ireland and the Texas Hill Country. The result is so memorable that an American radio disc jockey dubbed it "Windham Hillbilly." Tim Kerr has long been recognized as a pivotal figure in the music world. Critics credit the bands he has been part of with influencing everything from punk-funk to grunge and garage rock--genres that have shaped the U.S. indie music scene as we know it. Throughout his career, Kerr has shared stages with legendary acts such as Grace Jones, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Fugazi, Black Flag, Afrika Bambaataa, and X, to name a few. In 2007, Kerr was invited to start a music session at the newly opened Rio Rita Cocktail Bar in Austin. Shifting away from electric guitar, he began playing Irish tunes on a button accordion. With Austin's strong old-time music scene, it didn't take long for the session to gain attention. Jerry Hagins, a well-known clawhammer banjo player in Austin's folk music community, became a regular attendee. Up Around The Sun officially began in 2012 when Kerr asked Hagins to record some banjo tunes so he could study the clawhammer technique. Kerr later added guitar tracks to those recordings, creating a unique accompaniment style. This marked the start of their collaboration. Since then, Up Around The Sun has released three recordings, with their latest album, Water Valley, continuing to showcase their distinctive sound. The band gravitates toward nontraditional venues, playing in house shows and art galleries. They've also made a significant impact internationally, with frequent tours in Japan that highlight their dynamic and unconventional approach to music.