In late 2016, Wyoming’s alt-folk band Whippoorwill expanded to a trio (original members Staci Foster and Alysia Kraft welcomed Tobias Bank on drums), weaving together guitar, banjo, harmonica, percussion, and three-part harmonies to create tough but pretty songs.
Melding the two-step shuffle of Austin, Texas with bandleader Rich Russell’s fondness for Gram Parsons, The Lonesome Heroes call their blend of indie rock and country “cosmic American music.”
Here’s a live performance of their new single, released in June 2017.
Husband and wife duo David Wax and Suz Slezak form the core of the band David Wax Museum. Known for their energetic performances and tongue in cheek lyrics, David Wax Museum calls their musical blend Mexo-Americana. On their 2015 album Guesthouse, the band moved into uncharted musical territory, tackling parenthood, marriage, and the challenges of life on the road.
Photo By Brian Harrington of BHP Imaging from the Wyoming Independent Music Initiative by the Wyoming Arts Council
We’ve all heard of Southern Gothic. In Dauphin, Jason Burge keeps the South in his voice and brings the Gothic out West, where he teams up with Northerner Ray Mitchell for gruff songs with sweet harmonies and singing guitar leads.
Here's a tune from their album Prodigal Songs for the End of Days.
Roots-rockers The Black Lillies' write and perform songs that blur the boundaries between folk, soul, red dirt country, blues and jazz. Here's a tune off of their latest album Hard To Please, showcasing their 2016 band lineup.