B-Side Guys

Raw velocity and narrative tension collide in Mason Via’s “There Goes Another One,” a high-octane bluegrass thriller that transforms an outlaw’s desperate flight into five minutes of breathless musical pursuit. Co-written with Christian Ward (known for Billy Strings’ “Red Daisy”), the track showcases Via’s ability to merge traditional mountain music storytelling with the relentless drive of modern newgrass.

Recorded in a single vocal take, Via’s performance carries the urgency of his protagonist’s predicament. His voice, described by FloydFest as “sweet as dandelion wine,” takes on an edge of desperation as he narrates the anti-hero’s journey from engine trouble to ghostly observer at his own funeral. The lyrics paint a vivid noir landscape: “Dark clouds rising up in front of me / Got to make a deal by the county line” sets up a fatal encounter that ends with the narrator “Standing round the grave saying there goes another one.”

The instrumental backing from Via’s band Hot Trail Mix demonstrates their deep roots in the Galax tradition of high-intensity bluegrass. The arrangement maintains a relentless forward momentum that mirrors the narrative’s car chase opening, with each instrument taking precisely placed breaks that build dramatic tension rather than merely showcase technical prowess. The “mean riff” that inspired the song serves as a recurring motif, cutting through the mix like police sirens on a dark highway.

Via’s upbringing in the rich musical culture of North Carolina and Virginia fiddlers’ conventions shines through in the track’s technical execution, but it’s the contemporary energy that makes it explosive. The production captures every nuance of the ensemble’s “take no prisoners” approach, treating traditional bluegrass instrumentation with an intensity that borders on punk rock attitude.

“There Goes Another One” proves that outlaw ballads still have plenty of gas in the tank when powered by the right combination of narrative craft and instrumental fire. It’s a testament to Via’s ability to honor his Appalachian roots while pushing the boundaries of what modern bluegrass can achieve.