On The Verge

Mumford & Sons

London, U.K.
Nu-Folk String Band
www.mumfordandsons.com

When London’s Mumford & Sons made its U.S. television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman this past February, the four members appeared slightly nervous as they reached the chorus of their single, “Little Lion Man.” The original version includes an emphatic expletive in the refrain and the band had spent the day practicing with an audience-friendly substitution. “It was so hard,” laughs bassist Ted Dwane. “That word is unfortunately used about 12 times.” Mumford & Sons came together in 2007 within London’s burgeoning nu-folk scene (Laura Marling, Noah and The Whale). “We’d played together in various combinations, so we knew each other musically,” says Dwane. The string-heavy band— Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett and Dwane—has no drummer, resulting in a rich, rootsy sound. (“We all have to give a little bit more to make up for the lack of percussion,” Dwane says.) The group recorded a handful of EPs in 2008 before releasing its full-length debut, Sigh No More (Glassnote), last October. The album has a sharply defined, thematic sound—think: the kind of impassioned campfire sing-alongs that would take place in a John Steinbeck novel. After the band finished their cuss-free performance on The Late Show, Letterman joked “they’re going to take the money they make for being on our show tonight and hire a drummer.” Not necessary, Dave.