NEAF ’13 Feature Artist: Waiting for Neil

September 23, 2013 Brian Carroll

The kind folks in the 5 piece Waiting for Neil filled us in on whats up with them, playing the NEAF this year and why they make music…check it on out!

1) First and foremost, who are you, what do you do? That is, what band are you in or are you

a solo artist, what have you guys been up to leading up to the festival, anything exciting we

should all know about? Your chance for shameless self promotion…go!

The band Waiting for Neil was formed just over a year ago, by five members of a large family folk singing group (http://www.newtonfamilysingers.org/) who yearned to start playing more adult-themed songs – those timeless murder ballads, stories of jilted lovers, shipwrecks, infidelity and pursuit of eternal glory that comprise the core of traditional American roots music. So we took our banjos, fiddles, mandolins, guitars, ukuleles, hands, feet, etc. and added 3 and 4 part harmonies to some of our favorite traditional tunes. Got to admit that we are no preservationists, though, as we often kick-up the tempos and play with the rhythms. In addition, we perform original songs and tunes that, while staying generally true to the genre, allow us to sing about current themes and events that move our spirits.

Over the past 8 months we’ve played out frequently in bars, restaurants and outdoor festivals, and we’re particularly excited to be joining the crowd performing at NEAF this month.

2) Why is creating music important to you? Why do you pick up your instrument and write

songs? Why do you play that dive bar on a Thursday night? What keeps you going?

Younger musicians often wonder whether there can really be life after music. Well, the members of Waiting for Neil have found music after life. With a total of 8 kids at home and heavy-duty day jobs past and present, Andy, Monique, Greg, Stephanie and (. . . wait for it . . . ) Neil are have come together to discover and share the depth and excitement that comes from making music that bursts with life.

The band is online at http://www.waitingforneil.com/p/band.html and playing the festival on Saturday at 4:10 on the Brattle stage!