Tag: 5+5

BGS 5+5: Folk Bitch Trio

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Folk Bitch Trio
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Latest Album: Now Would Be A Good Time (out July 25, 2025)

(Editor’s Note: Answers have been supplied by Gracie Sinclair.)

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

A memory that will forever glow in my mind is one from our first ever show. We were 18, 18, and 17, and it was at the Merri Creek Tavern in Northcote, Naarm / Melbourne on the 17th of December. We now consider it the FBT Birthday.

The tavern has a tiny back room that fits about 50 people, with a little red curtained stage that is as wide as the narrow room. We all had good amounts of stage experience under our belts by that time doing other things, but it was all of our first times performing anything that we had written. The adrenaline, vulnerability, and one pint in my 17-year-old whip frame held us all up in the air. I knew secretly in my heart that we were on to something special then. Even if no one else in the room had liked it. It’s also now still the set of my stage performance dreams where I am running around looking for Jeanie and Heide, late to start our set…

What rituals do you have, either in the studio or before a show?

We have the ritual of locking in. What this intangible act is changes depending on the situation, but it means that when we go in to sing together we are aligned. This can look like having a special sing backstage, or watching a movie on the couch together at night. But we don’t really compromise on being a unit before we do anything.

What has been the best advice you’ve received in your career so far?

I had a very influential teacher when I went to a performing arts school for my last two years of school, who one day in the middle of a lesson said to our class – and at the time she was mainly talking to classical pianists and violinists, etc. Rather impromptu she said: “Don’t do music if you think you can do anything else. Don’t do it if you think you want to or could become a teacher or a doctor or a lawyer. Do it if and because it’s the only thing you can do.”

That has always stuck with me. I feel like she was speaking about the matter of the heart. (Would I, deep down, be secretly disappointed later in life if I hadn’t chosen working in music performance avenue?) But also she was speaking about playing to your strengths.

The further that we get into this career the more I resonate with this thought. Music performance, music writing, and the ability to creatively collaborate are all strengths that we have, but also the ability to be away from home for long times, be performers on stage and in front of the camera, run the show and run the business. All the aspects of being in a band that you wouldn’t expect, we also excel at.

I’m an excellent bartender, but I have the rare seed in me which loves to be on stage and bring everyone together. So that is the card I will play.

Does pineapple really belong on pizza?

I think Jeanie and Heide disagree with me on this one. Yes. Apologies to Italy. It’s a perfect abomination. Thank you Canada for that one, it’s very popular in Australia. People will outwardly rag on it and then you’ll see them having a slice later. I prefer it without onion. Think of a really nicely done one, with proper ham instead of shredded. It’s good!!

What’s one question you wish interviewers would stop asking you?

We get asked about our name. A lot. We get it. We love it. We are glad it seems to influence our reputation preceding us. I think sometimes the humour of it evades people, but most people get it. It was a joke that stuck because it’s simply the truth, but we are all three interesting musicians who have a lot to say about our craft and its annoying when we get less time to talk on that.

Photo Credit: Copper Taylor-Bogaars

BGS 5+5: The Wildmans

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: The Wildmans
Hometown: Floyd, Virginia
Latest Album: Longtime Friend (out July 11, 2025)

Which elements of nature do you spend the most time with and how do those impact your work?

Growing up in the rich and vibrant region of the Appalachian mountains, nature has always been extremely influential to everything we do. Hearing the frogs sing in the evening or when the cicadas come out and fill the air with their hypnotic mantra every few years. Nature perseveres out here and if you want to live in it you are always battling one element or another. We don’t have AC, so in the summer all of our instruments are inundated with humidity, of course bringing them outside adds to this which we do often too. Dehumidifiers help. But it’s that soft humid atmosphere that makes the forest so lush and dense out here. I think it has always taught us a lot too living in such a rural area. And I would say the musical culture of these mountains and this region of America is possibly the most impactful aspect in our work today.

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

Every year as kids we got to attend the local music festival in our home town, Floydfest. We discovered so much music throughout those years and specifically it was an experience we shared at Jon Lohman’s workshop porch stage when this band The Boston Boys, along with Danny Knicely and Nate Leath, invited us up to play a couple tunes on stage. It was our first time being on stage in front of a real audience and it’s one of those quintessential moments in our lives that is significant to where we are and what we are pursuing today. I think that the relaxed and inviting atmosphere that both the musicians and the audience gave to us in that moment is something that we take with us into every show we play now.

What is a genre, album, artist, musician, or song that you adore that would surprise people?

Ever since Mk.gee dropped Two Star & The Dream Police in the beginning of 2024, it has stayed on rotation. Whether in the tour van, headphones, or home stereo. I also have a serious soft spot for 90s R&B like SWV and Soul For Real. And D’angelo always. – Aila

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

This is such a great question and immediately it makes me think of this scene of Leon Russell playing “Jambalaya on the Bayou” in 1972 filmed by Les Blank for his film, A Poem Is A Naked Person. This is the dream pairing right here, Leon is onstage with a plate of what appears to be half-eaten ribs sitting in front of him on his piano, full of soul and groove singing this old Hank Williams song. I mean did he wipe his hands before starting the song? It’s rock and roll, it’s Leon Russell with southern bbq. – Eli

What would a perfect day as an artist and creator look like to you?

Waking up in the morning and having a hot beverage of some sort. Tea or coffee. This is a good time to write freely, reflect. Even sing a new song. Then going outside to sit in the sun for a half hour before making a really good breakfast. We are serious about breakfast as a band, sometimes all other meals can feel like a failure while on tour, especially with dietary restrictions and what not. But we always make sure breakfast is accomplished and done right.

After breakfast, we might play some music by ourselves or with each other. Giving time and space into the day for creativity and practice. Exercise is also really important to us, this would come next as we are easing into the afternoon. Into the evening we love to have friends over to share music and food, cooking together or grilling out. Good food, good people, and good music make the world go round. All of these things are what make up a “perfect day as an artist” to us. General simplicity and grounding.

Photo Credit: Magnolia Ellenburg

BGS 5+5: You, Me, Everybody

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: You, Me, Everybody
Hometown: Ngaruawahia, Waikato, New Zealand
Latest Album: Southern Sky (January 2021)
Latest Single: “Heart of Stone” (June 3, 2025)
Rejected Band Names: Captain banjo & the Bluegrassketeers

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

I remember playing a gig on Valentine’s Day way back in 2013 at Matterhorn in Wellington. There was a huge crowd there and at some point, towards the back of the room, there was a major kerfuffle. Medical staff were on the scene, but the band just kept on playing, having no idea what was actually going on. At the end of the show it was revealed to us that somebody had actually gone into labour, giving birth just outside the venue. I believe that my music had a hand in creating life and am disappointed that the baby was not named in my honour. – Rob, bass

Which elements of nature do you spend the most time with and how do they impact your work?

I have been ocean swimming for about six years now, after decades of not being a swimmer at all. My wife and I each have a swim buddy and we go year-round. The blast of cold water has been a welcome grounding for us both as we lost our son a few years ago. I made it through with water and music: the cold Pacific ocean for clarity and sanity, the band for the transcendent moments of joy that only music can bring. – Nat, banjo

What’s the most difficult creative transformation you’ve ever undertaken?

Playing music from such a young age has meant I have gone through many musical changes. The hardest change in my music career has been going from spending all my time playing music through my teen years to working a full-time job. Transforming my mindset to find balance has been tricky and still is, but music will always be a very big part of my life. – Sam, mandolin

What is a genre, album, artist, musician, or song that you adore that would surprise people?

I am a big-time house music appreciator, so as a bluegrass musician and fan, I think people are surprised to find this out. The two genres don’t really share any instruments in common, but if you strip them back they do have similarities, which is why I think it really resonates with me. Who knows, maybe I will try adding some Roland drum machines to the next YME next bluegrass hit! – Laurence, guitar, vocals

If you didn’t work in music, what would you do instead?

I’m a teacher, Rob’s a teacher. We all have jobs outside of music. For a long time I thought that meant that I couldn’t call myself a musician, but I’ve long ago stopped making excuses about this. So many musicians need other jobs to pay their bills. I taught drama and I’ve found more and more that the creative processes I’ve undertaken with my students now really plays into my writing process and the collaboration we do as a band. We work really hard to try everyone’s suggestions before saying no to something – you don’t know it won’t work until it actually doesn’t. All of my skills tend to come out in everything I undertake. – Kim, guitar, vocals

Photo Credit: Ebony Lamb

BGS 5+5: My Brother’s Keeper

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: My Brother’s Keeper
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Latest Album: Wartime Cartoons
Personal Nicknames (or rejected band names): Most of the band goes by our given names. Titus, Joshua, Adam, and Benj(amin), but our bass player “Wyatt” has been holding strong to the nickname “Sawmill” and has a “Sawmill” vanity license plate on his Ford Focus to prove it.

Answers provided by Benj Luckhaupt. 

Which artist has influenced you the most – and how?

I’m sure any artist would say “it’s hard to choose” and I’m going to say the same. Brian Wilson, Chris Thile, Alison Krauss, Tony Rice are all so formative to us, but as a songwriter I would say Bruce Springsteen has inspired me above all. His melodies are insanely catchy, his lyrics are gritty and literary. I appreciate his ability to be both subtle and straightforward, sometimes in the same sentence. He tells you the facts and then makes you think about the implications. Bruce also covers such a wide range of the human experience. His music is a great blueprint for the “song first” approach and I really try to incorporate that into my writing, even in the bluegrass medium. I want to write simple songs that make you think. There’s also such a variance in sound (think between Nebraska and Born in the USA) and yet it all works. I could nerd out about this forever.

What other art forms – literature, film, dance, painting, etc. – inform your music?

Definitely film and literature. We look to film often to inspire our visuals. We have a music video that is very Wes Anderson-esque, and the visuals for the album cover of Wartime Cartoons were inspired by the starkness of show Severance. There are certainly a few songs inspired by movies. A song called “The Banshees” on our last album was inspired by the landscape and darkness of a movie called The Banshees of Inisherin.

Literature, song and poetry are all so closely related. Leonard Cohen was a great author outside of songs. Spending a lot of time in books has had major influence on my writing, directly and indirectly. I love to start my day with a book about religion or history and end my day with a book about music or musicians. Sometimes I try to do an audiobook in between. Just taking in all those beautiful words is such a wonderful way to increase your vocabulary and worldview.

Titus and Wyatt are both photographers, and I think that art form opens up creative pathways as well, and of course contributes to the visuals of the band.

What has been the best advice you’ve received in your career so far?

This kid told me to think about what I’m thankful for and write about that. That was great advice. He was like 5 or 6 years old and I do think about thankfulness every time I write. Out of the mouth of babes.

What is a genre, album, artist, musician, or song that you adore that would surprise people?

Most people are pretty surprised when they find out that we love hip-hop and mainstream pop. They’re even more surprised when we tell them that our music is inspired by those genres. I’ve even had people say things to me like, “I like all music except for that rap crap” and I’m always like, “Oh, really? Because I love it!” Some people are even surprised when they hear how much we love The Beach Boys.

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

I’d like to sit down with Tony Rice and eat whatever fish he just caught and fried up. I’m sure we wouldn’t talk much, but we’d probably listen to Miles Davis and I’m sure I would learn a lot.

All Photos: Tasha Moehlman

BGS 5+5: The Last Revel

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Last Revel
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Latest Album: Gone For Good (out July 18, 2025)

Which elements of nature do you spend the most time with and how do those impact your work?

I grew up fly fishing, hunting, and camping in my home state of Wisconsin. Those experiences have turned into passions of mine in my adult life and are about the only other thing in my life that I feel a hyper-focused mental clarity like I do when I’m performing onstage. I cherish them both equally and I wholeheartedly feel that one informs the other. I began writing “Go On,” a song on our forthcoming record, while on a solo mule deer hunt near my current home of Livingston, Montana. The verses seemed to pop up fully formed. I still have a voice memo on my phone of me humming lines from the song while hiking down a mountain in the dark. For me, there is a clear path between being deeply immersed in an outdoor experience and being able to hear ideas and inspiration from my subconscious mind. I feel lucky to now live in a state like Montana where the opportunities for great outdoor experiences are endless. – Ryan Acker

What has been the best advice you’ve received in your career so far?

The best advice I ever received was kind of in passing on a long drive between a few tough shows on tour in the early days. We were all talking about how hard some shows can be, especially when there’s very few people there. It can be difficult to put your whole heart into it and when you do, it can feel exhausting. So we were all talking about it. Vinnie’s family owned a restaurant when he was young and his mom used to say, “You win people over one plate of pasta at a time.” I have thought about this phrase on a regular basis for years to stay inspired about the shows and the songs regardless of turnout or enthusiasm from the crowd. It helps to remember that at least one person there is enjoying our version of pasta. And it helps me stay passionate about what we are sharing rather than worrying about how it will be received. – Lee Henke

If you didn’t work in music, what would you do instead?

If I didn’t work in music, I think I would be an excavator. I think in order to move dirt, dig holes, and grade slopes all day everyday you would almost have to achieve a Buddha-level zen to sustain your well being. It would also give me time to focus on something simple and seemingly endless, which can be soothing for my brain. There is also something mystical about making something beautiful out of dirt. We always talk about the magic of making something out of nothing in the band so I guess that’s maybe why I think I would be a good excavator in another life. Or maybe retirement. – Lee Henke

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

Italian tavern food with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in the corner.

There is a little tiny village called Compello Monti at the end of the road, way up in the mountains on the border of Italy and Switzerland. It is just at the edge of the tree line and built around a waterfall that drops through the middle of several blocks of stacked buildings, because of that everything is covered in dew. It is a place that is shrouded in moss and held together by benevolent ghosts. In the center of the town there is a little tavern that will serve you a five-course dinner in striking Italian fashion – that is to say, simple, robust, and perfect – with libations to match for an extraordinarily modest price. I recall having the most incredible antipasti, followed by a simple plate of linguine al pomodoro, and porchetta, the last time I was there. I would love to enjoy that meal with a great heaping portion of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds playing in the corner mostly for themselves, serving up deep, dark, lovely sorrow for us all to enjoy. – Vinnie Donatelle

What rituals do you have, either in the studio or before a show?

There is often a lot of time to kill backstage and at a certain point I started randomly making up nonsensical and sometimes libidinous songs to kill the time, have fun, and try to get my guys laughing. Ryan pointed out recently that when I do that I get all the yips out and tend to play better sets. Since then I’ve tried doing that before anything important, like interviews or studio time, and it actually does seem to make a world of difference. – Vinnie Donatelle

Photo Credit: Christopher Murphy

BGS 5+5: Adam Chaffins

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Adam Chaffins
Hometown: Louisa, Kentucky
Latest Album: Trailer Trash EP (released May 16, 2025)
Personal Nicknames: “Chaffins”

Genre is dead (long live genre!), but how would you describe the genres and styles your music inhabits?

I’ve considered myself a multi-genre artist from the beginning. While I feel confident identifying as a country artist, that label doesn’t capture the full range of my influences. Growing up, I listened to country alongside Top 40 hits and classic rock – those styles shaped my ear just as much. In high school, I discovered bluegrass and jazz, and during college I really dove deep into those genres and honed my craft within them.

All of those influences have filtered into my writing today and I think that’s especially clear on this new EP. Music, like culture, is becoming increasingly interconnected and multi-dimensional. It’s exciting to see more country artists exploring new spaces and I want to make music that is part of that evolution.

Which artist has influenced you the most – and how?

Speaking of multi-genre artists, Willie Nelson is a great place to start. He’s part of the foundation of country songwriting – hell, songwriting in general. His music draws from so many different influences and we wouldn’t have the classic Willie Nelson records without that breadth.

It’s tough to single out just one artist as my biggest influence, but more often than not, when I’m writing a line or delivering a phrase, I catch myself asking, “What would Willie do?” His sound has never felt forced or put on – it’s authentic because he’s lived every word of it. Beyond the music, his lessons in patience and positivity have been a huge influence on me and have played a big part in keeping me grounded and continuing to make music.

Which elements of nature do you spend the most time with and how do those impact your work?

I love the outdoors – it’s essential for my creativity. Whether I’m kayaking on the lake, hiking with my dog, or cycling down country backroads, being outside helps me reset. When I’m feeling bogged down by the ‘business’ side of music, stuck on a lyric, or just need a break from a piece I’m learning, nature gives me the space to clear my mind. It’s like a creative reset button – being in the elements helps me return with energy and perspective.

What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?

Some of my earliest memories are of wanting to be a musician – or at least be around musicians. I had toy guitars and drum sets and would just bang away, trying to get the sounds in my head out long before I had any idea what I was doing.

One moment that really stands out happened before I could even read or write. A local DJ I was obsessed with was doing a promo at a car lot and my mom took me to meet him. I thought he was the gatekeeper to all of music. I remember scribbling on sticky notes – what I explained were the instruments and band members I wanted for my future group. He smiled, folded the notes, and tucked them into his shirt pocket with a wink, just before going back on the air.

Looking back, that moment felt like an early manifestation. Even then, I knew music was where I wanted to be – I just didn’t have the words for it yet.

If you didn’t work in music, what would you do instead?

I love to cook. When the world shut down during COVID and there were no shows to play, I got a big offset smoker trailer and started smoking whole chickens outside a locally owned grocery store. Honestly, I probably earned fans faster with barbecue than I ever have with music…

That said – it’s tough work. Tending fires inside a steel pit during a Tennessee summer isn’t for the faint of heart. But then again, neither is rolling around the country in a van playing songs for strangers. I guess one just happened to be the dream I had first. I still cook and smoke meat whenever I can and, if I weren’t making music, I could absolutely see myself doing that full-time.

Photo Credit: Natia Cinco

BGS 5+5: Thompson the Fox

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Thompson the Fox
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Latest Album: The Fox In Tiger’s Clothing, vol.1: FOX

Which artist has influenced you the most – and how?

Takero Sekijima. I first encountered his music about 15 years ago, back when I was playing marimba and aiming to become a classical performer. At the time, I was unsure whether to continue pursuing that path. Until then, I had mostly performed solo, but his music taught me how powerful it can be to create music with others. After discovering his work, I came to believe that simple, warm music has the ability to speak directly to the heart. – Rie Koyama, xylophone

Earl Scruggs. When I started playing banjo at age 11, I was blown away by Foggy Mountain Jamboree by Flatt & Scruggs. I couldn’t read English at the time, but I began studying banjo on my own using Earl’s instruction book that my parents bought for me. He’s the most creative figure in the history of the banjo and he has always been the player I respect the most. – Takumi Kodera, banjo

Dennis Crouch. His bass lines are precise and never excessive, and the tone he creates with gut strings is truly unique. – Akihide Teshima, bass

Paul Motian. As a drummer, his playing opened my eyes to the idea that rhythm can have a three-dimensional structure – almost like cubism in sound. He also composed many brilliant pieces and constantly explored new musical possibilities through innovative work in trios and combos. – Tomohito Yoshijima, drums

What’s the toughest time you ever had writing a song?

There was a time when a tune I came up with seemed to call for many different characters or voices and I felt that Thompson the Fox alone didn’t have enough sound to fully express it. That was a real challenge. On our new album, we layered toy piano and percussion to expand the sound. For live shows, we do our best to recreate that lively atmosphere by ourselves. – RK

My goal in composing and arranging is to make the most of each member’s abilities through the ensemble. Writing for a band like ours – with its unusual and unprecedented instrumentation – is always challenging, but deeply rewarding. Since there’s no model to follow, I try to understand each instrument’s unique qualities as well as each member’s playing style. – TK

For me, every tune needs a story – like a short piece of fiction. The hardest part is crafting a story that’s compelling on its own, then figuring out how to express it through music in a way that evokes that narrative. Communicating that idea clearly to the other members is also part of the challenge. – TY

Genre is dead (long live genre!), but how would you describe the genres and styles your music inhabits?

I’ve always approached music freely, without confining myself to specific genres. It’s all about expressing myself authentically. – AT

Rie comes from a background of classical and contemporary music, Tomohito from jazz, and Akihide and I from bluegrass. We’re a band made up of four people with completely different musical backgrounds. We’ve been searching for the common ground between us and expanding on that as we create music. As a result, I believe we naturally developed a unique sound that’s difficult to categorize into any specific genre. – TK

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

Grilled samma (Pacific saury) with Bones Jugs. – RK

On a cold winter day, sipping hot sake and enjoying oden at a cozy izakaya while listening to Amos Milburn. – TK

Yakitori with modern jazz. – AT

Spicy food so hot it makes you sweat, paired with Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew. – TY

What would a perfect day as an artist and creator look like to you?

A day with no urgent deadlines. I’d practice the xylophone, take a nap, go for a run, drink some beer, eat fish, read a sci-fi book in the bath, and go to bed. – RK

A day when I can play the banjo not to prepare for anything, but purely out of interest and curiosity. – TK

A day when I can play without mistakes and enjoy a drink afterward. – AT

A day when I can spend as long as I want trying to beat an insanely difficult video game. – TY

Photo Credit: Koichi Wakui

BGS 5+5: Blue Cactus

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Blue Cactus
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Latest Album: Believer
Personal Nicknames: Steph and Mar

If you had to write a mission statement for your career, what would it be?

“Slow and steady, always be on the rise.” I used to think I wanted to “make it” and I worked so hard at that, that it almost broke me, literally. I had stressed myself to the point that my mental stress had begun to manifest physically as various chronic health issues. I want to be a successful musician, which means for me that I am constantly making the music I want to create and not restricting myself to any specific rules or genre limitations. Once you “make it” there’s really only one place to go from there and so many artists have shared that their least happiest times were when their career was at its peak. I want to always be climbing, up and up, constantly evolving and learning new things about myself and abilities. – Steph

What other art forms – literature, film, dance, painting, etc. – inform your music?

I’m a perpetual hobbyist at heart and am always dabbling in some form of visual art – from film photography and cyanotype to linocut print-making and botanical dyeing – I find that having these other forms of art keeps me curious and inspired, which in turn feeds my inner-songwriter. When I look at my calendar, so much of my life feels planned out and I savor the mystery and surprise of what the film will reveal when it’s developed or how one print will vary from another when I lift the paper. It’s become essential for me to make art for myself that is separate from the business of making music and it’s taught me to embrace the happy accidents of art and re-framed my relationship with perfectionism. – Steph

Genre is dead (long live genre!), but how would you describe the genres and styles your music inhabits?

We have a deep love and respect for country and folk music, which is a sort of foundation for the music we make. There’s a bit of psychedelia and art rock swirling around, too, which seems to move us toward alt-country and cosmic country. We aspire to create songs that are strong enough to exist in varied genres, they just happen to be delivered in our vernacular. – Mario

If you didn’t work in music, what would you do instead?

Working in music has meant that I’ve also needed some other work to help pay the bills and I’ve been very fortunate to have been an instructor at a local outdoor nature program near our home in Chapel Hill, working with kids. I grew up in a very rural part of Catawba County, in the foothills of North Carolina, and was always out playing in the woods, building forts, and climbing trees. This work has kept me grounded and saved me from burnout. I suppose I’d just keep doing more of it if I changed career paths. – Steph

Since food and music go so well together, what is your dream pairing of a meal and a musician?

I’m thinking comfort food: meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans paired with Roy Orbison. In particular, the album Crying. – Mario

Photo Credit: Steph Stewart

GC 5+5: Southern Avenue

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Southern Avenue
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Latest Album: Family
Personal Nicknames (or rejected band names): We don’t remember any rejected band names, but being from Memphis we definitely call everybody “mane.”

Answers have been provided by Tierinii Jackson, Southern Avenue lead vocalist and songwriter.

What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?

It wasn’t one moment, it was the absence of one. I never imagined not being a singer and a songwriter. I grew up singing in church with my sisters and family and even when I ran away from all of that, the music stayed with me. Beale Street gave me my second education. That’s where I chose to be a full-time musician, even if the world didn’t choose it for me.

What is a genre, album, artist, musician, or song that you adore that would surprise people?

I love musical theater. It’s drama, it’s storytelling, it’s emotion on 10. I used to want to be on Broadway. Sometimes I still do. The song “Flying” on our new album is just about that. My mom actually turned the plane around mid-air so I wouldn’t fly to New York to make my dream come true. I do believe that it all connects and I have plenty of time to still do something special in that world.

What’s one question you wish interviewers would stop asking you?

People always ask how we met and how the band started. It’s everywhere online already. We just hope to get asked about new things now, go a little deeper. But it’s all good, no hard feelings at all. We love it when we have an interview where the person in front of us already has an understanding of who is in front of them.

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

When we toured with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and John Mellencamp, it was already unbelievable. But then we found ourselves on stage at FarmAid, after two weeks on the road with them for the Outlaw Tour. I remember standing there thinking, “Am I dreaming?” It was one of those moments where everything just hits you, how far we’ve come, and how real it all is.

Genre is dead (long live genre!), but how would you describe the genres and styles your music inhabits?

We like to describe our music real simple. It’s Memphis music. That’s what raised us. We’re a mix of where we come from, how we grew up, and everything we dreamed of becoming. It all comes together in the sound.

Photo Credit: Rory Doyle

BGS 5+5: DownRiver Collective

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: DownRiver Collective
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Latest Release: “Come On Back” (single)
Personal Nicknames (or rejected band names): The Upstream Association

Which artist has influenced you the most – and how?

Well, this one is pretty easy for me, as it’s the artist I’m named after, Alison Krauss. One of my earliest memories is of my dad and I driving around town with her album, Live, on repeat. I was only about 4 or so at the time, but you best believe I sang every single word at the top of my lungs. The wild thing is, I still can’t rid myself of that album. It still plays through at least 4 times a week on my commute to and from work. That album, that voice, changed the course of my life. It was through singing along to Alison that I nurtured my love for singing. I found myself at an early age trying to mimic every bend, run, and glottal.

Through the course of my life, I found myself listening to other artists and genres, but somehow it always came back to Alison. I never saw myself singing bluegrass music, but it was in college when I broke out my Alison Krauss repertoire that I fell in love with the genre all over again. And I couldn’t be fully transparent about my adoration of Alison Krauss without mentioning the fact that she’s an absolute boss. Seeing a woman pave her own way for a younger generation of ladies in a male-dominated genre is so inspiring to me. – Ali Vance, lead singer

What has been the best advice you’ve received in your career so far?

I feel like some of the most meaningful advice that I’ve gotten from artists that I look up to has been pretty simple. I was told to always, first and foremost, be yourself. People are able to connect with songs more easily if there’s authenticity behind it. Another impactful piece of advice I got was to not ever compare yourself one-to-one with the artists that you look up to. Everybody has their own path and career arc to follow, and it’s always going to be different for everybody. I feel like these two things really go hand in hand. – Rico Wallenda, mandolin

What is a genre, album, artist, musician, or song that you adore that would surprise people?

This would come as a surprise to absolutely no one who has spent any time around me, but I absolutely adore pop divas. Right now, the ladies that are in regular rotation are Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, and Chappell Roan. I know it’s a little cliché, but there is something to it. On the one hand, it’s all about the vocalists. Any time a vocalist is as good as any of those ladies, I just find it so compelling and moving. I’ve also been really into Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Whitney Houston– the list goes on. It’s just so awe-inspiring to listen to gifted singers like that.

On the other hand, the pop stars I listed all have a believablity factor that you can’t ignore when you listen to the music. That authenticity draws me to many different genres and artists, but it’s especially compelling with some of these current pop stars. Bailey [Warren, fiddle] and I often talk about these singers when we’re on the road, drowning the rest of the van in Olivia Rodrigo albums (Bailey’s favorite) and Ariana Grande records. – Jonny Therrien, guitar, Dobro

Does pineapple really belong on pizza?

Here’s the deal: Yes. I think we need to broaden our scope, expand our horizons. Food is just so good. And it isn’t nobody hurting anyone or damaging anything by putting a delicious fruit on their pizza. I think we live in a world where we can celebrate pizza as a pillar of food heritage and be thankful for all it has given to us while we push the boundaries of our pizza pleasures and discover new food frontiers. I love a classic pizza as much as anyone, I even order plain cheese pizza from Domino’s as an adult (did that last week). I also love a nice Hawaiian pie. There are multitudes in between, and here’s the good news: It’s all good. So let’s put this thing to rest once, at least for us right now. Pineapple does belong on pizza. Life is too short, and pizza is too good to be choosy. These are some things that I live by. – JT

What’s the toughest time you ever had writing a song?

We’ve spent a lot of time over the last few years figuring out how we write best together. We’re a big ensemble and getting that many creatives to be on the same page about anything can be tough. What used to be sort of a tricky thing to figure out has turned into each of us individually knowing our strengths and weaknesses better while chipping away at what it is that makes us sound like us. Mixing all our influences can be hard because sometimes those influences and the reflexes they’ve instilled into each of us individually can be at odds with one another.

The specific song that comes to mind is one that we recorded in January for our next album. The song was originally inspired by a sassy Alison Krauss number, which was a tune we had fallen in love with covering. Our earliest iterations of the song were marked by herky-jerky feels, strangely placed jazz chords, and lyrics that didn’t really convey the feeling we were after. At several different points, we were convinced the song was nearly finished except for maybe a lyrical tweak here and there. Finally, when we were in pre-production with Caleb Edwards and Eli Broxham, who co-produced our album, we explored a lot options: we re-arranged the structure, wrote new verses, found homes for the spicy chords, and settled on a rhythmic feel that matched the song’s sentiment perfectly. It felt like we had done the impossible: we pleased each of our artistic instincts in a song that we all had loved and hated at different times. In our show, we talk about this song as being the one that we had to write three times before it was good enough for the record.

That’s not even the end of the song’s story! I was talking to [John] Gray, our banjo player, last week and told him I dug what he did on the intro kick to the tune. Gray told me, “Yeah, I asked Caleb about the very last phrase of it, and he said he liked it, but had doubts about the other parts. The last phrase was the only part of the kick that I had doubts about, I was sure about everything else. So that’s when I knew that the whole intro was right.” – JT

Photo Credit: Tippy // Emily Cowherd