Milwaukee Record is proud to present Public Domain. The music video series features musicians adapting some of the world’s best-known songs in ways they’ve never been heard before. Watch the entire series here.
The 2020 season of Public Domain starts off in grand fashion with none other than Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. In the days leading up to the new year, the Stevens Point-based bluegrass mainstay was in Milwaukee to play a pair of shows with Greensky Bluegrass at Riverside Theater. Before one of those performances, HHG took the stage at the historic venue to breathe new life into an equally historic piece of music.
“Old Man, Can Your Dog Catch A Rabbit” has been a part of the American folk tradition for more than a century. Through the years, the song has kicked around music circles and has been picked up from time to time to be dusted off and expanded upon. Perhaps the most popular rendition of the song is Lead Belly’s “Old Man” adaptation, which the legendary musician recorded as a children’s song in the 1940s. While Horseshoes & Hand Grenades’ version shares some lyrics with Lead Belly’s take (and many others performed over the past few generations), the band admits they “flipped it on its head” and “shook it around,” while also being careful to respect the integrity of the source material.
The video was directed and edited by Cheston Van Huss. Samantha Kirchoff, Ellie Jackson, and Van Huss shot the video. Aaron Olson recorded the song. Andrew Lincoln handled lighting. Travis Whitty produced the opening sequence. Public Domain is sponsored by Colectivo Coffee Roasters, Lakefront Brewery, and Transfer Pizzeria Café. Special thanks to Pabst Theater Group.