CONTENTS
TOMORROW'S BLUEGR ASS STARS
FESTIVAL GUIDE
playing electric bass in various bands so when our original bass player left the group, Ethan changed roles and started learning and playing upright bass. I had met Brian, our fiddle player, a year or two earlier in a jam session so I called him up and invited him to come practice with us. He sings and writes songs for us as well as playing fiddle, harmonica, and mandolin. For the first 2 ½ years we were a foursome until we decided to add on a lead guitarist. Josh Moore was the obvious choice, as he was a dear friend of mine and had started becoming good friends with the band at that point. Josh not only brings lead guitar to the group, but he is also a talented singer and songwriter.” The band’s name comes from Schiffer’s nickname being Laney Lou, and from Ethan’s dog Waylon who is a black Labrador. “He is the least likely bird dog out there,” Schiffer said, “but we thought he would be a good mascot for the band, especially with his love of a stuffed duck toy at the time! Our logo, drawn by Matt, is Waylon with a set of wings on his back.” Schiffer noted that the music industry is a bit lopsided gender-wise, but she doesn’t let it dominate the aesthetic.
“I notice it from time to time on festival lineups, but in general we are all just doing what we love, whether male or female. I think our sound stands out vocally because of our four-part harmony. “The female voice adds flexibility in what high harmonies we can reach. I look up to so many female folk singers, I am just happy to be up there singing my heart out and playing for people who enjoy our sound!”
THE BLUEGRASS STANDARD
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