Name? The Hot Seats

Where are you based? We spend about half our time in Richmond, Virginia, and the other half in our van.

Where do you typically tour or perform? Mostly up and down the East coast, but so far this year we’ve been as far west as Austin, Texas, and will be in Colorado next month. We’ve also done several tours in the UK.

What’s your most recent CD? We’re pretty excited to have a 7″ vinyl EP coming out in the next couple weeks—it’s an all old-time music album that’ll be followed by a full-length album in the fall. Our last CD is called Retreat to Camp Candy Temptation Island.

Who are your musical influences? Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers, Don Reno, Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys, Frank Zappa, The Bad Livers. And we’ve been listening to a lot of metal in the van recently. Have you heard of a band called Scorpions?

Who are some musical acts that sound like you? There are some great bands out right now who draw from the same traditions we do: The Fox Hunt, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, The Wiyos, The Two Man Gentlemen Band.

Why should I come see you at the festival? We’ve got variety (bluegrass, old time, klezmer, ragtime), we’ve got energy, we’ll make you dance, and at least one of us will be wearing a nice hat.

When will you be playing? We’ll be at the Dance Tent: Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:45 p.m.

What are you most looking forward to about playing at FloydFest? Many of our musician pals will be playing the festival as well, and it’ll be great to catch up with them. But I’m sure we’ll make a lot of new friends, too. And we’ll be playing outdoors in one of the most beautiful areas in Virginia. What’s not to look forward to?