Bluegrass Winter Heater (Milwaukee, WI)

On January 29th, Anodyne brings 3 of the hottest string bands in the upper Midwest under one roof for the first time: The MilBillies, Good Morning Bedlam and High & Rising. This is one show of 2022 that you will NOT want to miss—an event curated to highlight the intensity that defines the region’s take on bluegrassicana. Like a piece of ice on a hot stove, this music rides on its own melting. And on this Saturday night, you’ll be close enough to feel the flames.

7pm door / 8pm show
$10 in advance / $15 day of show

_____ The MilBIllies (Milwaukee, WI) _____
Established in late 2018, The MilBillies hit the ground running, bringing their unique synthesis of traditional and progressive bluegrass to venues and festivals throughout the upper Midwest and beyond. They have crafted a genuinely thrilling live show, taking “high-energy” musicianship to another level while enthralling the crowd with intoxicating melodies and lyrical subject matter any troubadour would tip their hat to.

All of this has garnered a WAMI nomination for New Artist of the Year, an IBMA Official Showcase, a loyal following, and glowing reviews—Bluegrass Unlimited says The MilBillies sound “straddles the line between the traditional and progressive schools of bluegrass along with hints of blues, punk and country,” while Milwaukee Record lauds their “punk-tinged barroom bluegrass.” But whether you hear “animated urban style grass” (Bluegrass Today) or simply “an explosion of banjos, guitars and storytelling” (Shepherd Express), you’re sure to leave a MilBillies show with a better understanding of what all the fuss is about.

_____ Good Morning Bedlam (Minneapolis, MN) _____
Good Morning Bedlam has become an innovative force in the midwest folk scene. Their shows are known for their contagious energy, with members careening about the stage, jumping and dancing with a wild playfulness. With tight soaring three part harmonies, and thumping kick-drum, they captivate their audience night after night with no intention of slowing down. Every song is a unique twist on what is generally dubbed as folk music. “We want to surprise our audience from song to song. Rather than creating our music to fit a genre, we allow it to be an outpouring of our own stories and unique sound,” says Isaak, frontman of GMB. Just when you think you have Good Morning Bedlam pegged, they take you in another direction. You will be treated to a haunting waltz, whistling, jazz scatting, and the euphoria of the violin melodies. When it comes to their lyrical storytelling, Isaak says, “We’re desperate to connect to people through the common human experiences that we write about and the exuberance of our live show. People have a lot of choices of how they’ll kick-back, so we intend to deliver a show where they can be free—to share in whatever they need to—joy, grief, anger, gratefulness, or bedlam!”

Good Morning Bedlam released their sophomore album, Like Kings, in July of 2018. In June of 2019, GMB ended their first full touring year of two-hundred-plus shows by winning first place at the John Hartford Memorial Festival Band Competition.

_____ High & Rising (Groovesville, WI) _____
Out of the north midwest and the banks of the mighty Mississippi River grew this “Groovy Grass” band of music makers. High & Rising most often plays as a trio, with a unique combination of instruments that bring a fresh groovy sound to the Bluegrass & Folk American scene.

The trio, led by Laura Farley (upright bass/vocals) and supported by Jym Farley (acoustic guitar) and Ben Rohde (percussion) have quickly made a name for themselves through their prolific songwriting and performances along-side many notable musicians in the upper midwest music scene.

High & Rising recently released their critically-acclaimed debut album HOWL, featuring Adam Greuel & Davey Lynch of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Chris Castino of The Big Wu, Ernest Brusubardis IV & Ryan Ogburn of Chicken Wire Empire, Augie Dougherty of Armchair Boogie, Craig Baumann of The People Brothers Band, Rick Krueuziger of The Pat Watters Band, Leo Albertoni of Old Soul Society, and Kenny Leiser of Joseph Huber.