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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 appeals to audiences of all ages. 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. Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs have been touring full-time for seven years, playing notable festivals such as Bourbon and Beyond, Under the Big Sky, Grand Targhee Bluegrass, Blue Ox, and Red Ants Pants. They have received attention from media outlets such as Saving Country Music, who listed the Bird Dogs in the top 16 performances of 2021, alongside the company of musicians such as Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell and Dwight Yoakam. They were featured on the Emmy award-winning television series 11th and Grant, and had their original song "Lonely Tracks" featured in a documentary called My Country No More, which aired on PBS Independent Lens. The Bird Dogs seem to pick up fans wherever they go, and they are beginning to spread to all four corners of the US. Their most recent album, Coyote, was released June 2nd, 2023. The Bird Dogs returned the Panoramic House in Stinson Beach where their previous album Through the Smoke was recorded. Coyote is a nod to all of the past albums the Bird Dogs have released while also exploring new ideas and highlighting their strengths as a whole. Every song packs a punch through huge choruses, soaring solos, and driving bass lines, all while telling meaningful tales of life and lessons learned. Through the Smoke, was recorded in February 2021. This album is one of personal transformation. The concept of letting things go, processing past and current situations, and moving forward was 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, Matt Demarais on vocals/banjo, Ethan Demarais on bass, Brian Kassay on vocals/fiddle, and Josh Moore on vocals/guitar. PRESS QUOTES
*** "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) *** "...this is a group that's having more fun than may be legal." - No Depression *** “ 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) *** "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) *** "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 *** "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 *** MEDIAPlease click on the link below to access photos, poster templates, and stage plot.
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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 through 2021 Bozeman Choice Award- 1st Place best bluegrass band 2015 Emerging artist contest winners- Red Ants Pants music festival FESTIVALS 2023 MerleFest, Wilkesboro NC Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Bristol TN Chinook Festival, Naches WA American Music Festival, Chicago IL Palisade Bluegrass Bash, Palisade CO 2022 Bourbon and Beyond, Louisville KY AMERICANAFEST, Nashville TN Cayamo Journey Through Song Cruise, Miami FL Blue Ox Music Festival, Eau Claire WI Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival, Palisade CO Rhythms on the Rio, Del Norte CO Sawtooth Valley Gathering, Stanley Idaho River City Roots Festival, Missoula MT Summerfest, Sandpoint ID 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 |