California grown, the Burlington Family is a musical group that hails from Los Angeles, California. Like its country and blues predecessors, the Burlington Family originated in the Church. Specifically via an unlikely blend of acerbic wordplay and distortion played before disbelieving audiences during Church talent shows. The Family has since morphed into a minimalist pop folk trio whose arrival on the scene came when Ain’t no Grave, a gospel song included on their first record began receiving radio airplay on the Watusi Rodeo, former Los Angeles rock station Indie 103’s acclaimed eclectic American roots rock & alternative country show. The exposure led to a residency at Cole’s, the historic downtown bar considered by many to be the oldest bar in Los Angeles dating to the early 20th century. The Burlington Family quickly became part of Southern California’s “alt country” scene playing alongside many acclaimed Los Angeles based artists, I See Hawks in LA, honky tonk hero, Mike Stinson, and legendary rockabilly guitarist, Danny B. Harvey. Also during this time the Burlington Family was given the opportunity to make a record produced and recorded by Michael Deming, recognized for his work with Beachwood Sparks, recorded on the Sub Pop label, and the Lily’s, recorded on Sire records.
Through growth and change the Burlington Family continues to do its thing, prowling the area’s clubs, bars, art galleries, and coffee houses with its low fi simplicity while staying true to its original intent with a sound that’s simultaneously joyous and subversive. The present lineup features founding member Kevin Casey, vocals & mandolin; Randy Pearson, guitar & vocals; Matt Patterson, drums, percussion, vocals. Past family members have included Shauna Casey, Ian Wagner (Rollergirl), Rose Curtale (Phantom Chords), Patrick Cleary (the Digs, Silverphial), Cheryl Caddick (Silver Phial), Scott Halper (Silver Phial, Kind Hearts and Coronets), Jeff Davies (Brian Jonestown Massacre), and Stosh Machek (Capgun Holdup’s).