Today I’m excited to share with you the premiere of a new song and its accompanying video from Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle. The track, titled ‘Ode To A Friend’, is making its debut today and is now available on all major platforms. This release of course is just a little a taste of what’s to come from the band’s upcoming self-titled album.
Hailing from Cincinnati, they create an experience that stands out and really keeps me hooked. For example as the weather turns cooler and we start to feel that autumn chill, I’m reminded of how their music resembles a hearty stew – perfect for these brisk mornings. And they’re serving up quite a few ingredients in that harmonic mélange.
Their sound is rich and layered, rooted deeply in the tradition of folksy Americana storytelling. Which something I’m a huge fan of, but what sets them apart, in my opinion, is the subtle yet impactful addition of a rebellious rock edge to their approach. This blend creates a distinctive flavor that I think many will appreciate, and will certainly satisfy your appetites.
What makes their music so immersive and engaging is how it can pull you into the very heart of their stories, making you feel like you’re part of the unfolding tales rather than just listening from afar. This quality transforms each song into an experience where you’re living the narrative alongside whatever is being shared.
Which is one of the reasons ‘Ode To A Friend’ hits me. As someone from the tri-state area, I’ve had my fair share of encounters with US Route 50, a road that takes on different characters depending on where you find it. While many might think of the Nevada stretch, famously dubbed the ‘loneliest road in America’, which is said that it’s a journey that requires survival skills. The Route 50 closer to home tells a different tale—one that Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle explore on this track.
Casey Campbell talks about the track by saying:
This song is based on the true story of hiking US Route 50, from Cincinnati to Washington DC. Though the story is partially fictionalized, it is based on the longing one feels while traveling any given path in life and missing those that have been left behind. An anthemic song, which is both melancholic and uplifting simultaneously.
‘Ode To A Friend’ opens with a gentle acoustic guitar, setting a warm tone to the track. I’m drawn in by the addition of mandolin, that twinkles like fireflies, and the harmonica breathes out this soulful, southern sighs. This adds a great folksy vibe that really enhances the track’s atmosphere.
Throughout the song, that warm down home inviting feeling is consistently maintained. It’s comforting and engaging at the same time. What really catches my attention is a significant shift in the percussion. At a certain point, we find it shifts from a gentle sway to a marching cadence. It’s like a metamorphosis, breathing new life into the song and giving it some brand new energy.
One of the standout elements for me is the vocal work. There are some beautifully executed harmonies that have a slightly rough-around-the-edges quality during this section with the percussion changes. You got to appreciate the genuine feeling conveyed through their unfiltered vocals. During this section, the lyrics seem to reference some all-time greats, creating a sense of music heritage and respect for their influences.
However, what really gives me the shivers are the vocals. The passion and emotion conveyed through them are jaw-dropping. As the song progresses, it we are treated with some cool and soothing vocal runs. The track once again takes a turn when the energy withdraws, and the tone shifts to something more somber and gentle. It’s a beautiful contrast to the earlier intensity, and ends off on a note, in a literal sense, where it initially kicked off.
As far as the lyrical content of the song goes, lyrically I’m struck by the sense of wanderlust and restlessness that permeates the track. It’s as if he’s both a seeker, always on the move, always searching for something that seems just out of reach. It feels like someone who invites us to join them on their quest. Which of course, goes back to what I was saying about how it feels like you’re pulled in directly to their music. And in a way it seems like route 50 is a metaphor for life itself, it stretches out before you, full of promise and uncertainty, while looking back at where you started.
But even as he wanders, he remained connected to the people and places that matter most to him. The music is a constant companion, a source of solace and strength during some difficult times. The song pays homage to the great folk musicians of the past. The references to Woody Guthrie, Arlo, Bob Dylan, Pete, and Doc, makes it feels so much just like reminder of the history and tradition that the musician in the song is a part of. It’s about the debt that he owes to those who came before him and the responsibility that he has to carry their legacy forward.
And of course he’s also thinking about those who he left behind, but even as he feels this sense of loss and separation, he is also uplifted by the beauty and wonder of the world around him. In this way, the song is one for anyone who has ever felt the call of the open road, anyone who has ever had to leave behind the familiar in order to pursue their dreams. And it lets you know, that even in the midst of change and uncertainty, there is always something to be gained, always a reason to keep moving forward.
The video opens on a campsite scene, where we see the traveler sitting by a crackling fire, preparing for the long road ahead. The cinematography in this scene is very cool, with close-up shots of the flames that seem to flicker with an energy all their own, and move with the transition in the shot as he gets up. As the traveler goes about his tasks, it’s as if he is mentally preparing himself for the challenges that lie ahead.
As the song begins in earnest, we see the traveler setting off on his journey, his feet carrying him down a long and winding path. The visuals here are rich with so many various shots as he makes his journey. We see him walking along railroad tracks and through dense forests that seem to stretch on forever.
As the journey continues, he encounters a cast of characters along the way. These interactions are brief but impactful, capturing the quick connections that we make on the road. Throughout the video, the editing which was done by Reeve Daulton is exceptional, with some nice transitions and clever visual touches that keep you invested in the story.
The band turns ‘Ode To A Friend’ into a travelogue, where every harmony is a new vista unfolding before your ears. It’s a track that brings you on that journey, like a passport to a shared adventure, stamped with the indelible ink of Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle’s amazing music.
You can pre-order the upcoming album, at the following link.
BUFFALO WABS & THE PRICE HILL HUSTLE TOUR DATES
Sat, Sep 7 – Charleston, WV – The Rite
Fri, Sep 13 – North Bend, OH – Whispering Beard Festival
Sat, Sep 14 – North Bend, OH – Whispering Beard Festival
Fri, Sep 20 – Lewisburg, WV – Healing Appalachia
Sat, Sep 21 – Lewisburg, WV – Healing Appalachia
Fri, Sep 27 – Nashville, TN – Station Inn
Sat, Sep 28 – Knoxville, TN – Laurel Theater
Sun, Oct 6 – Hesston, KS – Prairie Window Concert Series
Fri, Oct 11 – Makanda, IL – Little Grassy Get Down
Sat, Oct 12 – Owensboro, KY – ROMPtober
Fri, Oct 25 – Newport, KY – The Southgate House Revival
Fri, Nov 1 – Madison, IN – MadHop Pre-Party
Sat, Nov 2 – Madison, IN – MadHop Music Festival
Fri, Nov 8 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern
Fri, Nov 15 – Marietta, OH – The Adelphia Music Hall
Sat, Nov 16 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
Sat, Dec 21 – Kokomo, IN – The Coterie