Musical events can count on all kinds of instrumental combinations, but it is a good bet that most people have not experienced the main instrumental mix it offers Little mazarn: Banjo and Sierra Musical.
The band has the singer -songwriter Lindsey Verrill in Banjo, Jeff Johnston in Saw and other assorted instruments and Carolina Chuffe (who also performs separately under his own moniker, Hemlock.) The group will perform two shows at Western Massachusetts: on June 27, in books namable in Turners Falleros and on June 28 in North Adams.
Verrill, who graduated in Jazz Bass, said that when he decided to start this music project, he chose Banjo because he could not imagine the band while playing Bass.
“It seemed too hard, especially with a low right. And after years of transporting this thing, I just wanted to play a small instrument. My bass is so great and heavy,” he said with a laugh.
As for Johnston, who interpreted mainly (also playing other instruments), Verrill said that the vibration it brings to the project is irreplaceable.
“Jeff is a well -known Serra player. He has been playing in the Sierra for 40 years,” he said. “And he is in a pile of bands, but he is always like a side boy. But since our band was generally a duo, he adds a lot of atmosphere and being expressive and leaving, and not just being a side boy.”
Although he studied jazz at college, Verrill does not feel that he influences his music so much.
“Studying jazz at college was just the regional opportunity that was allowed. I thought that the most interesting and creative music I could study was jazz,” he said. “So I don’t know if I am influenced. I mean, I love jazz, but I don’t feel super connected to my collegiate experience,” he said, laughing.
But when asked about Johnston’s approach to his parts, Verrill rethinking, and said that maybe Jazz reported the improvisational appearance of the band’s music.
“I guess this is one of the things that could influence jazz music: we make a lot of improvisation. Obviously we improvise when we play live, but we also improvise the studio,” he said. “Jeff only has his small toolbox of his small instruments, and he always seems to know what to improvise.”
The new album of the group, “Mustang Island”, is significantly part of the sound of his previous works. This change resulted from Verrill playing on Will Johnson’s Will 2023 “Non Ordinary Crown” album. Verrill decided that it would be interesting to bring some of the elements of this album to the sound of Little Mazarn.
“It usually sounds folk, but when we wore the battery from Will’s album (Roberto Sanchez), he added a lot,” he said. “He totally rocked, and his aesthetics is so epic. He certainly changed the sound of music significantly.”
When asked about the challenges of being a small act of indie music in the current and competitive music landscape, Verrill said that playing music as a race could be extremely frustrating, but he also expressed hope.
“It’s very hard because according to our society, being a musician is not a real job. It’s frustrating for me because I left my job last year to make full -time music and, frankly, they don’t sell me,” he said. “I really don’t know the answer, but I think you just play and share your music; if you share your music, the people who are intended to find -they will find it.”
Then he laughed and went directly to music fans.
“But the fans, I just want you to enjoy the music. But I would like everyone to make an effort to go out and do something in their community. And if my programs make it pass for you, that’s impressive,” he said. “But go out and get to know your neighbors and enjoy life. This world is hard and crazy, but being together is what will keep us. So, support the arts and go to shows.”