One of the fastest rising groups on the Austin music scene, the Lost Pines took less than two years to go from busking on the street corners of South Congress to finishing runner up in the bluegrass category of the Austin Chronicle’s Annual Readers’ Poll. Taking their cues from such contemporary songwriters as Gillian Welch and Tim O’Brien, they use the rich canon of traditional music as a launch pad, melding the themes of unrequited love, economic hardship, and wanderlust with the contemporary realities of city life. With a knack for balancing old with new, fiery picking with soulful vocals and respect for tradition with an eye towards the future, the Lost Pines create music that is both timely and timeless.
The group formed in early 2007 when songwriters Christian Ward and Talia Bryce met and began swapping songs around campfires and barbecues in the backyards of Austin. They were soon joined by Northwestern University School of Music graduate Marc Lionetti on lead guitar and released their first album, “Middle of the Morning,” in the spring of 2008. The record received a string of praise from critics and fans alike and led Doug Freeman of the Austin Chronicle to call the band’s music “Austin bluegrass done right.” Riding the buzz from their new album, the band quickly went from playing street corners to appearances on FOX news, KUT, KGSR, KOOP and sets at the Mulberry Mountain Harvest Festival, the Austin String Band Festival, RiceGrass and were official showcase presenters at the 2008 Folk Alliance Conference. They began playing regularly at the Cactus Café, Antone’s, Threadgills, the Saxon Pub, and other top venues in Austin, sharing the stage with everyone from the Austin Lounge Lizards to Alan Munde to the Grammy Award Winning Carolina Chocolate Drops. In the meantime, the band strengthened its attack by adding Austin standouts Alex Rueb on mandolin, Kyle Clayton on bass and Eddie Dickerson on fiddle.
In January 2011, the Lost Pines teamed up with Grammy Award winning producer Lloyd Maines (Dixie Chicks) to record their 2nd album “Sweet Honey” at the Zone Studio in Dripping Springs, TX. It was released on April 2nd, 2011 and instantly recieved critical acclaim from No Depression, Twangville, the Austin Chronicle as well as other music publications and Folk and Bluegrass DJs across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.
In April 2014, the Lost Pines helped found Farmgrass Fest, annual bluegrass festival in Niederwald, TX that supports local farmers and their health.
Ten years into their career, the Lost Pines have carved out their own niche in the Texas bluegrass scene. With their astonishing musical maturity and an arsenal of well-crafted songs, the Lost Pines have taken their place among the giants of the Austin music scene, and ensure they will continue to treat audiences to their brand of traditional music for years to come.
The Lost Pines play the best live Bluegrass and Texas Country Music in and around Austin, TX. Check out their show schedule or book them for your wedding or event today!