The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/19/01 Section: Variety

Jump, Little Children, whose influences include well-known artists like R.E.M., James Taylor and U2, doesn't hesitate from challenging itself with musical experimentation. The band is currently touring the eastern seaboard to promote its latest album, "V [Click to enlarge]

A drumbeat rises from out of silent depths, guiding thoughtful guitar rhythms, melding with smooth sounds of a cello and a bass, and, finally, performing a graceful dance with the sounds of a melodic mandolin.

Combine this musical mélange with intense vocals, and you have the eclectic musical stylings of Jump, Little Children, the South Carolina band that derives its name from a song by North Carolina blues artists Sonny Terry and Brownie Mcghee.

After forming almost nine years ago, the band has since risen to significant fame.

The five have been working and touring together for so long that their relationship now transcends music.

JUMP, LITTLE CHILDREN When and Where: Saturday night at 10 at the Georgia Theatre Tickets: $15 advance For more information, call 549-9918

"Nowadays, the driving force (behind the band) is to be together," multi-instrumentalist Matthew Bivins said. "We are best friends. We can't underestimate this."

Mixing sounds as idiosyncratic as Irish folk, rock 'n' roll, hip-hop and blues, Jump, Little Children is a band that does not shy away from the challenge of experimenting with music.

"We always give up trying to exactly describe (our music)," Bivins said. "It's love, sex and just a drop of Louisiana hot sauce."

Deriving influences from such diverse artists as Tom Waits, R.E.M., U2, Jeff Buckly, Radiohead, J.S. Bach, AC/DC and James Taylor, Jump, Little Children has acquired an extensive following. 

Attracting fans from all age groups, the band's unique style incorporates not only the proverbial rock instruments, such as the electric guitar and drums, but also draws sounds from an upright bass, a cello, an accordion, a harmonica, a tin whistle and a mandolin.

"Every fan over the age of 30 thinks they're the oldest fan," Bivins said. "They're not."

After a four-month delay due to internal issues within its production label Atlantic Records, Jump, Little Children released its highly anticipated album "Vertigo" Sept. 25, receiving rave reviews. It is now touring the eastern seaboard to promote the album.

The band acknowledges that "Vertigo" differs greatly form its previous album, "Magazine."

"Vertigo is a much more intimate album," Bivins said. "(It's) a bit moodier and more subtle than our last album. Lyrically, we made a vow after Magazine to write more honest music, and Vertigo is the result of that."

Even though this past year has been a tough one for the band, they are content with their accomplishments thus far.

"We have a long way to go," Bivins said. "But, we are happy with what we've accomplished."

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