LANEY LOU AND THE BIRD DOGS
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                                      BIOGRAPHY
Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs are an energetic Americana band from Bozeman, Montana, that infuses four-part harmonies, engaging songwriting, and rock-n-roll drive into a modern approach to traditional folk music. Coming from varied musical backgrounds, the five-person ensemble creates a sound unique to them, but one that finds common ground by adding the energy of Montana’s big sky country into their music. The Bird Dogs weave stories through their songs that are reflective, joyous, longing, or meant to share a journey with the listener. Through it all, the band is able to convey heartfelt honesty, getting the audience to immerse themselves in the moment by dancing, singing and laughing along.

The Bird Dogs have been taking their infectious sound on the road since 2013, supporting acts such as The Travelin' McCourys, The Steeldrivers, The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Jeff Austin Band, Amy Helm, Leftover Salmon, Town Mountain, and many more.

The most recent album from Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, Through the Smoke, was recorded in February of 2021 at The Panoramic House in Stinson Beach, CA. This album is one of personal transformation. The concept of letting things go, processing past and current situations, and moving forward has been ever present in 2020-2021, as the world went through trials beyond words. Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs found a way to represent their journey through hardship, while also celebrating the silver linings and breakthrough moments in their lives. Through the Smoke brings energy to the darkness, and proves that resilience can get us through the hardest of times. 

The Bird Dogs released a live self-titled studio album in 2016, recorded at Basecamp Studio in Bozeman. Their follow-up album, titled The Vigilante Session, was recorded live at a forest service cabin in the Ruby mountains. In 2019 Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs recorded their first full-length studio album, Sweet Little Lies, at Prairie Sun Records in Cotati CA. Their live album, Live at the Filling Station, was recorded in 2019 at the Filling Station in Bozeman MT and released in 2020. 

Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs consists of Lena (Laney) Schiffer on vocals/guitar/percussion, Matt Demarais on vocals/banjo, Ethan Demarais on bass, Brian Kassay on fiddle/mandolin/harmonica, and Josh Moore on vocals/guitar.

PRESS QUOTES
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"Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs bring a blazing exuberance to bluegrass while still honoring its traditions, and put together a set to remember. Don't be surprised if this outfit starts making more and more noise nationally in the coming months."
- Kyle Coroneos, Saving Country Music
(read full article here)
​
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“Through the Smoke’ is no historical set piece of traditional bluegrass. There are plenty of deliberate pop and rock influences here, as well as folky Americana. Moore’s, Kassay’s, and Demarais’ harmonies with and without Schiffer’s are a perfect combination. Schiffer’s voice is impressively versatile and sometimes veers toward Linda Ronstadt or Emmylou Harris territory (‘Reeling,’ ‘Count on You’), never restricted to high lonesome harmonies...Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs have successfully blended their own hybrid of Americana, and ‘Through the Smoke’ further expands their extensive repertoire with a collection of heartfelt, boozy, reflective, and barnstorming songs.”
-Americana UK

(read full article here)

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"Their raw energy and authentic feel comes from the marvelous singing of vocalist Schiffer and lots of old-timey instrumental breaks infused with blues, country, and folk nuances."
-Mariss McTucker, Montana State of the Arts and Lively Times

(read full article here)
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"Their music is the pure, rollicking, breakneck type that conjures visions of packed barrooms, plenty of whiskey, uninhibited dancing, and lots of sweat."
-Melissa Mylchreest, Missoula Independent
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"Kassay's sawing fiddle soars over Matt Demarais's banjo and vocals and Ethan Demarais's driving bass. Singer/guitarist Lena Schiffer's voice is both refined and sharp as a knife, and gives the band a sound of rustic mastery."
-Keegan Grady, MSU Exponent
***



Promotional Material

Promotional Material
Please click on the link above to access photos, poster templates, and stage plot. 
ACCOLADES
2019- Featured on Emmy award-winning PBS series 11th and Grant
CLICK HERE​

2019- Featured on Emmy award-winning series The Montana Sessions
2019- Original song, "Lonely Tracks", featured on documentary My Country No More, and aired on PBS series Independent Lens
2017,2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Bozeman Choice Award- 1st Place best bluegrass band
2015 Emerging artist contest winners- Red Ants Pants music festival


FESTIVALS
2021
Under the Big Sky Festival, Whitefish MT
Red Ants Pants Music Festival, White Sulphur Springs MT
Summer's End Music Festival, Hailey ID
Bob Marshall Music Festival, Seeley Lake MT
River City Ruckus Festival, Great Falls MT
FarmJam, Colville WA
2019
Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Alta WY
Northwest String Summit, North Plains OR
Palisade Bluegrass Festival, Palisade CO
Chinook Festival, Naches WA
Bob Marshall Festival, Seeley MT
Hermit Festival, Boise ID
Descend on Bend, La Pine OR
Sun River Stomp, Great Falls MT
Big Sky Big Grass, Big Sky MT
Juniper Jam, Enterprise OR​

2018
Montana Folk Festival, Butte MT
Magic City Blues Festival, Billings MT
Sweet Pea Festival, Bozeman MT
Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Alta WY
Bridgetown Bluegrass Festival, Portland OR
Big Sky Big Grass, Big Sky MT
Sundown Kick Around, Livingston MT
River City Roots Festival, Missoula MT
Evanston Bluegrass Festival, Evanston WY
Beartrap Summer Festival, Casper WY
Sivercloud Campout, Haugan MT
Sun River Stomp, Great Falls MT
Bluegrass in the Park, Great Falls MT
​Descend on Bend, La Pine OR
Bozeman Bluegrass Festival, Bozeman MT
Lincoln Arts Festival, Lincoln MT​
2017
Groovin' On, Big Sky MT
Pine Creek Music Festival, Livingston MT
Beartooth Basecamp Festival, Red Lodge MT
Pinedale Soundcheck Series, Pinedale WY
Summer Celebration, Fort Benton MT
Montana BBQ Festival, Absarokee MT
Bluegrass in the Park, Great Falls MT
2016
Red Ants Pants Music Festival, White Sulphur Springs MT
Headwaters Country Jam, Three Forks MT
Bozeman Bluegrass Festival, Bozeman MT
Wildfest, Great Falls MT
Juniper Jam, Enterprise OR
​Montana BBQ Festival, Absarokee MT
2015
Red Ants Pants Festival, White Sulphur Springs MT
Bozeman Bluegrass Festival, Bozeman MT



Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs

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