A year and a half ago, Michelle Lynskey of bluegrass-come-classical band the Miskey Mountain Boys sat down with the News to discuss their then-forthcoming performance at Boulevard Music. The same band is performing at the same venue on Saturday, but to shake things up this time the News spoke to mandolin virtuoso Evan Marshall about what they have in store for Culver…
When did you start playing and performing?
The Miskey Mountain Boys formed in 2014. John and Michelle and I had worked in a show at Disneyland called Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. After a 21-year run, the show closed in January 2014. The show featured bluegrass music interspersed with comedy elements; over dinner after the final show, the three of us talked about keeping the music going. We started jamming informally, and after a few months we decided we were ready to present concerts. Over the years, we added more people: First, Alex Finazzo on guitar, then Debbie Kollgaard on cello, and finally Andy Rau on five-string banjo to complete our current six-piece lineup.
Describe your sound/style?
I like to call what we do Cellograss; until a few years ago, it was pretty rare to play bluegrass with a cellist in the band. Michelle has coined a term which describes the band even better: Classgrazz! It all starts with bluegrass, with elements of classical music and traditional jazz mixed in.
What are your career highlights so far?
For the past few years, we have been featured performers at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. FOTA hosts one of the most highly regarded concert series in Southern California, and the audiences have been great. We were proud to be regular performers for Bob Stane at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. Bob retired recently after a long and distinguished career as Southern California’s premier listening room impresario. We were honored to play often at the CGB.
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
Miskey Before Breakfast is available for downloading or streaming from all the major outlets. A live album, Miskey No Chaser, is nearing completion.
Have you performed at Boulevard Music before? Any memories?
This concert coming up will be our fourth or fifth appearance at Boulevard Music. Individually my association with Boulevard Music and Gary Mandell goes back over 30 years. In November 1992, Gary hosted a concert for which I was the headliner as a solo performer. Second on the bill was an 11-year-old mandolinist named Chris Thile. Gary told me that evening that he thought Chris had a shot at a big career.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
Groovin’ tunes, hot licks, virtuoso bass-slapping, swingin’ vocals, and some laughs!
What else do you have coming up?
Plans to tour are on hold for the time being, so we’ll be playing for local crowds at park concerts and listening rooms. Come on down to Boulevard Music, y’all! It’s time to re-discover one of the original social media: Live music!
The Miskey Mountain Boys performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 3 at Boulevard Music. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more information about the show.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys, and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
There’s a full program of music at the Cinema Bar this week, as usual. The Hot Club of Los Angeles plays every Monday, and Wednesdays are singer/songwriter and open mic night. Other artists performing this week include the Potential Suitors, Coyote Moon, Adam Smith, Garrick Rawlings, and Charles Pollock. Go to thecinemabar.com for more info.
