Square Thirteen is a Columbus, Ohio-based Americana band specializing in thoughtful, introspective, original music and barn-burning covers of traditional Americana tunes.
The duo came together from different perspectives, although each is firmly rooted in the traditions of Appalachia.
Craig Heath grew up in West Virginia and has a background in the soulful music of Appalachia, but he is also a well-known songwriter across genres. He penned "The Artist" which has received radio airplay across the United States, "Hillsborough Bay" which has been played on folk/acoustic radio in the US as well as Ireland, England and Australia, and "Buffalo Creek 1972", a song about the southern West Virginia mining disaster. He has written and recorded three full-length solo CDs and written over 100 songs. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and the band's primary arranger.
Jeff Branham comes from a well-known bluegrass tradition. His father, Roosevelt Branham, is one of the best-known banjo players in Ohio bluegrass history. Jeff is also an accomplished writer and rhythm guitar player. He also plays bass. A relative newcomer to professional songwriting, Jeff's "Scattered Pictures" has already received airplay and "Meigs County" and "Early Part of Autumn" were both part of Square Thirteen's 2015 release "The Great Divide".
Aaron Kocher (percussion) and others often join the duo with complimentary fiddle, bass, and more. Jeff and Craig like to refer to them as their Happy Band of Creekers. :)