Shovels & Rope is a group that prides itself on simplicity. Based out of Charleston, South Carolina, the folk duo, comprised of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, uses two old guitars, a tin pan alley styled drum set (comprised of parts found at a junk yard), as well as harmonicas and heaps of vocals to create a style of music the two call "sloppy tonk." Shovels & Rope spent the majority of 2011 on the road, performing in various bars and music venues, where it was able to hone its approach before opting to record its debut album, which was released in 2012.
