About
As a songwriter Adam Traum wraps his catchy hooks with infectious grooves. His songs have a consistent verve, which reflects his belief in music as an essential element of the human experience. The material Adam writes evokes images of an Americana landscape spinning tales of love, heartbreak, beauty and the occasional observational diatribe. When he performs live Adam brings his sunny disposition and genuine love of playing music to the stage. His tasteful instrumental chops and relaxed but powerful voice are a great compliment to his well-crafted songs.
The rootstock of Traum's music germinated in the fertile ground of the Catskill Mountains. He was raised in a musical family in Woodstock, New York, with a front row seat to music history. His passion for music was enhanced by going to many festivals and shows in his formative years. As an aspiring guitarist Traum was always welcome to pick along at jam sessions with family friends, many of whom happened to be musical luminaries.
Traum regularly raided his father's record collection listening to the masters of electric blues, country and folk in addition to regular doses of rock albums he got at the local record store. He would spend hours playing along and figuring out his favorite riffs. Thanks to the time spent exploring these musical avenues, he became a well-rounded musician able to nimbly shift between genres.
After tenures in several rock bands as a young musician, Traum found the truth, beauty and honesty in the roots music he was raised around. One year at MerleFest in North Carolina, he had a musical epiphany after seeing Tony Rice play guitar. No gimmicks, no effects: just wood and steel! It was music made by people, for people. The authenticity of that performance is the benchmark he continually strives for whether playing acoustic or electric music.
In addition to being a busy performer, Adam is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and active music educator with several popular videos on Homespun Music Instruction. his band Wolf Run is releasing their full debut album after multiple singles. Wolf Run has a more electrified sound while still holding fast to his musical sensibilities. Go to wolfrun.net to hear songs from their upcoming release.
Recent news from Adam Traum
As the weather gets warmer and spring has sprung, so have the gigs. Adam has started playing with Radio Bobcat, a great local rock band based in Napa, He is also gigging with his bands The Straw Wattles and Wolf Run, and doing more lessons for Homespun Music Instruction.
Wolf Run has their complete release in the pipeline and will be available online very soon!
Finally, in memoriam the blues world has lost two giants. Roy Book Binder a long-time friend and Mentor to Adam Traum. We also lost John Hammond, Jr. Both men were Homespun artists and masters of acoustic blues with their own unique voices. Although Adam only met John Hammond, Jr. on a few occasions he remembers him as a wonderful artist and kind person.
His rememberance for Roy Book Binder he wrote from the Homespun homepage:
"I first met Roy Book Binder while I was attending Med-O-Lark Camp in Washington, Maine, when I was around 12 years-old. He pulled up in an RV with a black and white logo of his mustache, glasses and fedora hat on the side of his camper shell. Underneath it read “Travelin’ Man.” I was immediately drawn to him as a guitar player, singer and entertainer. I started talking to him and he expressed his fondness for my father, Happy Traum.
Over the years I saw Roy at gigs and festivals where seeing him was like visiting with a family member. It was truly a thrill to eventually play on his stage at MerleFest while accompanying Happy. I will fondly remember hanging out and laughing together back stage, at artist hospitality tents, and dining together on festival food. Over the years he gave me professional advice as I changed careers from being a photojournalist to being a full-time musician.
Roy was a well-loved, one-of-a kind artist, and person. His stories were always on point, and his unique picking style will never be replicated. The Homespun family sends our condolences to his wife, Nancy, his family, and Roy's many friends around the world."
Song of the Week
Adam Traum on KPIG: One of America's Most Popular Independent Radio Stations
Wolf Run Duo Covers "Miss Ohio"
