Loose Digits

 Loose Digits are a Seattle area band that has been playing together since the spring of 2006. This is how the band describes their music:

While resting on the laurels of driving bluegrass, the emotions of celtic, latin, and jazz find their way in. The result, however, is nothing generic or of the fusion persuasion, but an honest ensemble of great arrangement(s) and atmosphere. Band members are  Eli West — Guitar, Vocals,Matt Herron — Fiddle, Mike Canney — Mandolin, Vocals, Jim Marsh — Bass,
Greg Maass — Dobro

Check out their  myspace page for some audio and video clips.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=112130003

True North

True North is going to be at Wintergrass 2008. A great band from the Salem, OR area. The band has released two cd’s “Pluck” and “Cobalt Miles of Sky”. Both cds feature mostly original songs. Check out some clips of this band at their website. Last year True North played at Wintergrass as part of the Sunday Gospel show. Last year they also played in Holland at the 2007 European World Bluegrass Festival

Kristen Grainger, lead vocals
Dan Wetzel, mandolin, guitar, vocals
Dale Adkins, guitar, banjo vocals
Suzanne Pearce, upright bass, vocals

Here are some reviews of the bands latest CD “Pluck”

“They [True North] are the perfect modern bluegrass band… Focusing  around the terrific lead vocals of Kristen Grainger, the band shows what can happen when great songs meet great singers… This is a band making wonderful musical choices. They are going deeper than mere instrumental wind sprints and reworked standards… This is a CD you’ll want to listen to again and again. Highly recommended.”— Kate McKenzie (Red House Records artist, perhaps best known for her appearances on  Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion radio program.)

“Kristen [Grainger]’s vocalizing exhibits the intensity of a singer with breathtaking ability comparable to Laurie Lewis… The band is emerging in the Northwest as one of the most endearing and passionate contributors to the Northwest’s acoustic folk repertoire. Their craftsmanship and focus squarely put the emphasis on original material, deliberative arrangements, graceful guitar, and gorgeous vocals.”— Joe Ross staff writer, Bluegrass Now

“The band sounds quite good, and [Kristen Grainger’s] singing is lovely.”— Laurie Lewis Grammy award-winning artist, Rounder Records

The Seldom Scene

It has been a few years since the Seldom Scene have played Wintergrass. They will be performing both on Saturday and Sunday of the 2008 festival. They have just released their first cd SCENEchronized in about 7 years on the Sugar Hill label. The Seldom Scene’s performances are always highly entertaining showcasing their great musicianship, harmonies, song choices and personalities. The band has been playing since 1971 and has even played the White House. Based out of the Washington DC area they spent many years playing every Thursday night at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA where they still play occasional shows including New Year’s Eve.

Band members are: Founding member Ben Eldridge- banjo, Dudley Connell - guitar, Lou Reid-mandolin, Fred Travers-Dobro, Ronnie Simpkins-bass.