Bottom Dwellers - Fireside (2022)

The Bottom Dwellers are a four-piece Americana band from Woodland, California. Formed in 2003, the band’s original Bakersfield-style twang and sweet harmonic ballads have landed them on the bill with acts such as the Grammy-nominated Billy Joe Shaver, Dale Watson, and the Derailers. Playing and writing together for more than 19 years, the Bottom Dwellers have a musical connection and “band sound” that is only achieved through the test of time.

Growing weary of the pandemic lockdown of 2020–2021, the Bottom Dwellers decided to resume their weekly rehearsals after receiving their vaccinations. These rehearsals took place outside, and only when the air quality would permit it. Northern California was inundated with smoke from record-setting wildfires during much of this time.

In the fall and winter months, the band huddled around a fire pit (at a respectable social distance) to keep warm while they played. With music venues shut down, there wasn’t much to do but write, so that’s what they did. Fireside is a collection of songs written during this time. It takes its name from both the inferno that engulfed much of their home state, as well as the source of heat that made these rehearsals possible.