2012 might be known as the year that modest bands work with giant producers. From Best Coast working with Jon Brion to Steve Albini producing for both Cloud Nothings and Screaming Females, big name producers are going outside what might be a sure thing for them and working with more up-and-coming artists. This is what Rick Rubin did with The Avett Brothers on I And Love And You in 2009, and the album turned out to be a breakthrough.

For the follow-up, due this spring, The Avett Brothers have once again turned to Rubin to turn the knobs, and tell Rolling Stone that they are just about complete with recording. The album will feature many of the harmony-driven, Americana tunes that are very much in style right now, but also offer at least one song that will be a major departure, featuring “an aggressive riff, and the instruments are very Nineties rock – what you could call grunge.”

We’ll keep you posted when this album gets a release date, and check out the rest of the interview here.