The Cactus Blossoms

The Cactus Blossoms
The Cactus Blossoms performing in Maquoketa, IA in 2018
The Cactus Blossoms performing in Maquoketa, IA in 2018
Background information
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Genres
Years active2011–present
LabelsWalkie Talkie Records
MembersJack Torrey
Page Burkum
Websitehttp://www.thecactusblossoms.com/

The Cactus Blossoms is an American alternative country and indie folk band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1] The band is composed of brothers Jack Torrey (vocals, guitar, bass) and Page Burkum (vocals, guitar) with a touring act including Phillip Hicks (bass), Jake Hanson (guitar), and Jeremy Hanson (drums).[2]

The band's musical styling of "the sounds and approaches of early country and rock n' roll" was inspired by traditional American folk music and "hillbilly" music and is "reminiscent of 60s Nashville and Los Angeles as heard in artists like Roy Orbison, The Byrds, Duane Eddy, and the Everly Brothers."[1]

The band's third studio album, One Day, was released on Walkie Talkie Records on February 11, 2022.[3]

History

The Cactus Blossoms performing at First Avenue in Minneapolis in 2017

Brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum began playing music at ages 18 and 23, respectively,[4] but didn't form the Cactus Blossoms duo until they were both in their 30s.[5] The band began playing local shows in Minneapolis in 2010 and self produced and released a self-titled debut album in 2011.[6] Their popularity secured them a residency at St. Paul's Turf Club where they self-produced their first live album titled Live at the Turf Club.[6]

After several tours supporting other artists, JD McPherson proposed working together, and produced their first studio album.[7] In 2015 the band signed with Red House Records,[8] which released their debut studio album, You're Dreaming, on January 22, 2016. The album reached #23 on the Americana Billboard chart and was met with favorable reviews with American Songwriter describing it as "honest, unvarnished, completely engaging style that is clearly retro but in no way musty."[9]

In 2017, the band appeared in the revival season of David Lynch's television series Twin Peaks, performing the song "Mississippi".[10] The song is also featured on the soundtrack album, Twin Peaks: Music from the Limited Event Series.

In 2017 the band was invited by Dan Auerbach to his Nashville studio to write some songs together.[11] Two of the songs, "Got a Lotta Love" and "Blue as the Ocean" appeared on their studio album Easy Way which released March 1, 2019. Departing Red House Records, the album was released on the band's own Walkie Talkie Records label.[2]

After taking a forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band began recording their third studio album in an at-home studio.[12] On December 3, 2021 the band announced their third studio album One Day would release on February 11, 2022.[3]

Members

  • Jack Torrey (guitar, bass, vocals)
  • Page Burkum (guitar, vocals)
  • Phillip Hicks (bass)
  • Jake Hanson (guitar)
  • Jeremy Hanson (drums)

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions[13]
US US
Indie 		US Americana/Folk US Heatseekers US Tastemaker
The Cactus Blossoms
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Self-released
 — — — — —
You're Dreaming
  • Released: January 22, 2016
  • Label: Red House Records
 — — 23 — —
Easy Way
  • Released: March 1, 2019
  • Label: Walkie Talkie
 — 21 — 9 16
One Day
  • Released: February 11, 2022
  • Label: Walkie Talkie
 — — — — —
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

Live albums

  • Live at the Turf Club (2013)

Singles

  • "Happy Man" (2020)

References

  1. ^ a b Blickenstaff, Jacob. "On the Road with The Cactus Blossoms". Mother Jones. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  2. ^ a b The Cactus Blossoms - Full Performance (Live on KEXP), August 8, 2019, retrieved February 14, 2022
  3. ^ a b "Review: The Cactus Blossoms Share a Brighter "Day"". American Songwriter. February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  4. ^ "Cactus Blossoms' Jack Torrey Discusses the Band and Twin Peaks". KVSC 88.1 FM. July 21, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "The Cactus Blossoms Go From A Fictional Bar To The Studio With Dan Auerbach". NPR.org. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "The Cactus Blossoms Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Ferguson, Neil (January 22, 2016). "The Cactus Blossoms Talk New Album, Brotherly Harmonies, And JD McPherson (INTERVIEW)". glidemagazine.com. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "The Cactus Blossoms Sign with Red House! -". Red House Records. August 14, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "The Cactus Blossoms: You're Dreaming". American Songwriter. January 21, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  10. ^ Hilton, Robin (June 8, 2017). "The Cactus Blossoms Share New Video For 'Mississippi,' Featured On 'Twin Peaks'". NPR. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Freeman, Jon (February 13, 2019). "Hear the Cactus Blossoms' Aching New Song 'Got a Lotta Love'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Liebig, Lorie (December 3, 2021). "The Cactus Blossoms Announce New Album, Share New Single 'Hey Baby'". The Boot. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  13. ^ "The Cactus Blossoms". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2022.