Music Trails with Mark Lafond

Meet the Grammy- award winning progressive bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters! Two of the founding members Andy Hall, and Chris "Panda" Pandolfi talk about the upcoming release of their 13th album A Tribute to Flatt and Scruggs as well as their Grammy- nominated 2022 album Into the Fray. We discuss the importance of touring, the advantages of having their own Americana Vibes recording label, as well as what makes for a great cover song.

Meet the talented, emerging new country cross- over artist Jessie Haines. Jessie shares her unconventional journey from growing up in New Jersey, having the 9-5 job, spouse, and a home in the suburbs to selling everything, traveling and living alone in a vintage airstream and landing in a new home in Nashville. Jessie talks about her soon to be released debut album The Phoenix which is a deeply personal chronicle of her experience.

New Orleans has its fair share of musical ambassadors; but few are more rooted in the Crescent City than John “Papa” Gros. Born and raised in the city, Papa Gros melds funk, rock, jazz, and blues to deliver a sound that is both innovative and unmistakably New Orleans. Papa launched his career as a solo performer in the early 1990s, quickly gaining attention from marquee artists such as George Porter Jr. and Snooks Eaglin, both of whom brought him on board as a supporting musician. In this episode of Music Trails Papa shares how and when his musical journey started, the influence that many of New Orleans's most icon artists have  had on him, leading the successful Papa Grows Funk band' to finding his way back to writing, playing and recording music that best represents who he is as an artist maintaining his deep New Orleans's roots.

On this episode of Music Trails we meet British Columbia native, and current Nashville TN resident Raquel Cole. Raquel shares her journey of growing up in Vernon British Columbia and the origins of her love of music at a very young age. Raquel talks about her recent appearance on the Stampede City Sessions series (Canadian version of Austin City limits), as well as her two recent released singles and music videos. Raquel gives us insight into song writing and her love of collaborating with other song writers. Listeners will get an update on all things The Woods (Nashville based band she is a member of) related.

On this episode of Music Trails we meet the talented singer, song writer, music festival promoter Opal Agafia. Opal’s trail is embedded in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas where she developed a love of music at a young age but lacked the self -confidence and a plan to share with others. While finishing high school and starting college she discovered she and her mom shared an interest, and talent in writing which resulted in a song writing collaboration. With original songs in hand Opal developed a receptive audience which of course has grown over the years with the release of multiple recordings and touring with her accomplished band. Opal is also a successful music festival  promoter and talks about her upcoming Ozark Soul Music Festival  which shares the name of her brand of music. 

On this episode of Music Trails we meet Sasha Dubyk. Sasha shares her journey from growing up in Philadelphia in a music family, learning piano from her pianist and music teacher dad touring and performing internationally with her Dad’s Klezmer band, majoring in Dance/Theater, and performing in numerous music theatre productions. She finds her way to Berklee College of Music in Boston where she earns a degree in music therapy and meets her Damn Tall Buildings  band mates. Sasha talks about learning to do things she may have previously not even thought about such as learning to play the upright bass, and songwriting. Sasha talks about her teaching at the Crown Heights Music school in Brooklyn that she and fellow  band mate and very soon husband to be Max Capistran (Season 1 Episode 9) operate together as well as an update on all things  Damn Tall Buildings related. I hope you enjoy

On this episode of Music Trails you'll be introduced  to Christine Havrilla. Christine originally from Philadelphia, is a musician, performer, singer songwriter who’s musical career has spanned the last 20 years, including 13 albums, 3 EPs and playing a variety of venues, stages large, small, music festivals, to living rooms.  When seeing Christine live it might be as a solo act, a duo with long time collaborator Coleen Clark, or with her full band Christine Havrilla and the Gypsy Fuzz. Which ever version or venue your guaranteed to get her best each and every night. Christine will talk about her new EP and single California Nights, her current, and future projects, as well as her personal journey that has shaped her artistry.

On this episode of Music Trails we meet one of Nashville’s best and well know Honky Tonk musicians David Graham. David shares his story which starts with realizing at a very young age, after first hearing Elvis’s Heat Break Hotel he knew all he wanted was to be was a "Rock Star".  David will give us his insight into life in Nashville, from the changing demographics, to the local music scene. David’s blue collar, hard working live performances are memorable ranging from his residency at Layla's Honky Tonk in Nashville, to national and international audiences.

In this episode of Music Trails we meet Grammy nominated Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Singer, Songwriter Bruce Molsky. Bruce talks about his upcoming participation in the Folk Alliance International, as well as his partial tour schedule for 2023. Bruce shares his musical journey  from being introduced to music at an early age, to picking up the fiddle and banjo while an engineering student at Cornell, his day in the mountains of North Carolina with the great fiddle player Tommy Jarrell, to his collaboration with musicians from all over the world playing a  variety of genres but staying close to his Old Time Music roots. Hear Bruce play live a Music Trails first. 

Music Trails a podcast dedicated to independent music artists their music, stories, and the people behind the scenes that support them. I chose the name Music Trails because just like no two walking, hiking or biking trails are alike the same holds true when it comes to the trails and journeys of our guests. In Season Three we return to interviewing  guests representing a variety of music genres, and interests. If you love music, enjoy being introduced to new artists that you might not other wise know about and enjoy learning about the independent music business this podcast may be for you. New episodes are currently in production, I encourage you to subscribe today and you will be notified when new episodes are released. Your host is Mark Lafond https://www.musictrails.info