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Singer-songwriter Peyton Tochterman delivers eclectic pop rock tunes through a broad Americana pastiche. On his new self-titled disc his ever-evolving supergroup High Society features a cast of Charlottesville’s best players from a wide range of genres, including trumpet ace John D’earth, mandolin upstart Andy Thacker, fiddler Anne Marie Calhoun (Jethro Tull), accordionist Matty Metcalfe and Sons of Bill guitarist Sam Wilson. It makes for a dynamic stew that manages to harmoniously converge into a front porch jubilee around Tochterman’s soulful country growl.
Lyrically, Tochterman seems to always see the rainbow at the end of a dark tunnel. His content battles between dismal realities—societal vanity (Mama’s Genes”), commercial sprawl (“Battlefield Business Park”) and personal loss (“Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still”)—and unwavering optimism, which comes through in the sunny bounce of “All the Love” and the bluegrass charge of “What a Life.” Much like the group’s instrumentation, it’s a lesson in opposing forces making a sweet combination.

PEYTON TOCHTERMAN AND HIGH SOCIETY is creating new standards, new sounds, and new music for the modern times. With mandolin, drums and percussion, acoustic guitar and vocals, electric guitar, accordion, bass, and trumpet, HS is pushing the boundaries of acoustic music through an unusual combination of instruments and cutting edge social commentary. As Rhythm and Root’s Charlene Tipton notes: “The collective talents of High Society added a level of heart-pumping energy and superb musicianship to Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion that left fans literally panting for more! Their infectious and tasteful blend instruments emptied seats and had everyone up and dancing from the first note to the last!”

“Culling its members from the hidden gems in a bustling music scene, Peyton Tochterman And High Society tastefully combines focused song-writing with unusual instrumentation and stunning musicianship. The result is something uniquely satisfying, yet oddly familiar,” writes recording engineer Jack Gray.

This recording is energetic, original, and most assuredly uncompromised by the cookie cutter mentality that plagues much of today’s music.

1 All The Love
2 Mamma’s Genes
3 Battlefield Business Park
4 Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still
5 Peanut Butter and Jelly
6 The Ether’s Sea
7 Lonesome Rain
8 Done Given Up
9 New Thacker Rag
10 What A Life
11 Sweet Nothings
12 Sweet Rose
13 Celebration
14 Endless Aloha

Tochterman gathered some of Charlottesville’s best musicians, including trumpet player John D’earth, mandolin champ Andy Thacker, guitarist Sam Wilson and multi-instrumentalist Matty Metcalfe, to form Peyton Tochterman and High Society.

So what kind of sound comes out when you throw these talented musicians together? “People can’t usually place it,” says Tochterman. “It’s a strange acoustic world.” We can’t argue. Tochterman says he’s influenced by everything from angsty ’80s rockers The Replacements to bluegrass songwriter Norman Blake. Maybe if you mix up those ingredients and channel them through High Society’s trumpet, mandolin and accordion instrumentation, you’ll end up with the group’s sound.

Not to be mistaken for the famous Bing Crosby musical, Peyton Tochterman’s High Society will celebrate their new album with a CD release show at Paramount Theater on October 12.

It’s best, though, to hear it for yourself, which you’ll have the perfect chance to do on Friday, October 12 when Tochterman and High Society celebrate the release of their new CD with a show at the Paramount Theater. It’ll be one of the first times that the Paramount has featured local music, and we hope this is a sign of things to come. Sure, the theater is a great place to see Jeff Tweedy or Ryan Adams, but opening its doors to local acts earns the venue lots of Feedback brownie points.

And as if Tochterman’s line-up wasn’t already packed with enough goodness, Richmond drummer Brian Jones (who recently wowed us with his guitar quartet at the Tea Bazaar) will make the trip down I-64 to play drums for the Paramount gig.

Oh, and did we mention that recently returned songstress Shannon Worrell is slotted to open the show? This is one of those not-to-miss nights, for sure.

If you’re still not convinced, listen to Tochterman play live on the radio this week. He’ll be on 91.1 WJTU at 11am on October 10, on 106.1 The Corner at 1pm on October 11 and on 91.9 WNRN at 8am on October 12. -John Ruscher, C-ville Weekly