Music of the Mountains: S'moregrass (Brian Blaser and Georgie Hahn)

Guitarist Brian Blaser jokes that five years ago, he didn’t even know how to spell the word “bluegrass.” His music tastes focused primarily on alternative and electric rock, playing in a group that performed songs from artists like the Allman Brothers, Phish, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam.

One night, at a local bluegrass pick, Blaser met a young banjo player, Sean McFarland, and the two discussed their live performances. The two talked about McFarland sitting in for a gig from Blaser’s band, and while Blaser felt unsure if a banjo would fit in that particular band, he invited McFarland to the gig.

Within the week, Blaser’s band broke up due to internal forces unknown to him. Instead of telling McFarland that the band no longer existed, Blaser assembled a new group of people. From this collection of musicians came the foundations of Smörgåsgrass. To this day, Blaser and McFarland agree to disagree on who asked who about McFarland jumping in.

The name came from the band’s original bass player, Franziska Zenhäusern, who often brought in a smörgåsbord of food during practices. Not only does the band name apply for that personal reason, but it has also become representative of the band’s ever-changing and always flexible lineup. Blaser, McFarland, and harmonica (or “mouth fiddle”) player Alex Medler have been consistent members since its foundation.

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