The Cactus Blossoms at The Bowery Ballroom, by Mike Cobb

Modern Vintage aptly describes the sound of The Cactus Blossoms, an indie band based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota who wear their hearts on their sleeves. Led by brothers Jack Torry and Page Burkham, both siblings play guitar and sing tightly knit harmonies that range from the tenderness of The Everly Brothers to the powerful crescendos of Roy Orbison. They’re backed by other brother Tyler on lead guitar, cousin Philip Hicks on bass, and Jeremy Hanson on drums. The band’s third studio album, One Day, was released on Walkie Talkie Records on February 11, 2022. 

Though the group has been active since 2011, it was only in the last three years that brother Tyler came onboard. Their first album was produced by Americana rocker J.D.McPherson, and they have co-written with Black Keys singer-songwriter-guitarist Dan Auerbach. “We worked with Dan in Nashville and used a few of those tunes on our record,” Page says. 

The group charmed an attractive, hip, young crowd at the Bowery Ballroom Wednesday, March 30. It helps that the band itself is handsome and draws a good looking audience. The show was nearly sold out, and the mostly maskless crowd was entranced by the band’s lush, retro sound. Inspired by country and early rock and roll, The Cactus Blossoms swing in an understated way. Tory and Burkham play vintage Guilds and Fender Jazzmasters giving off a classic vibe. Hanson plays drums with a light touch, at times employing mallets for dramatic effect rather than crash or thrash. Cousin Hicks thunks his Hofner violin shaped Beatle bass sounding more upright than electric, and Tyler achieves throbbing tremolo textures and pedal steel like swells that cast a 1950’s dreamlike gauze over everything. The net effect is akin to being transported to a wholesome vision of Americana where you might find yourself standing next to Buddy Holly in the audience. 

Their new video for the single “Hey Baby” shows brothers Jack and Page playing over a slideshow of American national parks and captures the group’s vintage twang. “Everybody” is their other recent video and features fellow Americana artist (and former Rilo Kiley singer) Jenny Lewis. Tunes like “Desperado” could have been hits in the early 60s and should be now. Their success in the Americana charts and nearly 20k followers on Facebook show the band doing quite well. They’ve also appeared on David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and recently performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  

Perhaps most interesting is how the group simultaneously sounds retro yet fresh, most notably on their track “Boomerang” which pulls at heartstrings bitter, sweet and tender. With a George Harrison-like lead line, the band builds the bridge from past to present and shows how artists like Buddy Holly and The Everlys were so fundamental to the roots of rock and roll. 

About their uncanny, seamless harmonies, Page says “We started singing together when I was about 25 and Jack was 20. To us, it’s not as big a deal as it is to others.” “We dig old country duets like Oasis and the Bee Gees,” Jack jokes. “When I first heard the Louvin Brothers, it was exciting. It’s been fun to learn from tradition, but we also like new groups like Radiohead.” When asked about their plans for the future, Jack says, “We’ll just keep on growing and changing however the wind blows us.” 

For more information on the band, see their website: www.thecactusblossoms.com