blurbs | biography |read about each lily blurb Since 2009, Americana trio The Boxcar Lilies have been wowing audiences with their standout marriage of superb songwriting and spine-tingling, innovative harmonies. They are quickly making a name for themselves as they bring their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to
venues across the Northeast, including The Iron Horse Music Hall, Club Passim, and Philadelphia's Tin Angel, and opening for legendary songwriters like Bill Staines and Lucy Kaplansky. They were recently selected to perform an official showcase at the 2012 International Folk Alliance Conference.
longer blurb Since 2009, Americana trio The Boxcar Lilies have been wowing audiences with their
standout marriage of superb songwriting and spine-tingling, innovative harmonies.
Based in Western Massachusetts, The Lilies are Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall,
and Katie Clarke. Each an accomplished performer in her own right, they married their
love (read: obsession) for great songwriting and three-part harmonies and in 2011, joined
forces with esteemed producer Dave Chalfant (Erin McKeown, The Nields) to record
their debut CD Heartwood. Tracks from the record have been played on radio stations both in the U.S. and abroad, including Gene Shay's The Folk Show (WXPN, Philadelphia), WRSI (Northampton, MA), and on Rich Warren's Midnight Special(WFMT, Chicago/Syndicated) when it was named one of "Rich's Picks". Accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, concert ukulele, and washboard,
the Lilies are quickly making a name for themselves as they bring their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to
venues across the Northeast, including The Iron Horse Music Hall, Club Passim, and Philadelphia's
Tin Angel, and opening for legendary songwriters Bill Staines and Lucy Kaplansky. They were recently selected to perform an official showcase at the 2012 International Folk Alliance Conference. biography Since 2009, Americana trio The Boxcar Lilies have been wowing audiences with their standout marriage of superb songwriting and spine-tingling, innovative harmonies. Accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, concert ukulele, and washboard,
The Lilies are quickly making a name for themselves as they bring their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to
venues across the Northeast, including The Iron Horse Music Hall, Club Passim, and Philadelphia's Tin Angel, and opening for legendary songwriters like Bill Staines and Lucy Kaplansky. They were recently selected to perform an official showcase at the 2012 International Folk Alliance Conference.
Based in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, The Boxcar Lilies are Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall, and Katie Clarke. Each an accomplished singer-songwriter in her own right, the three met through a local musician’s cooperative and discovered a shared passion for three-part harmony. They began playing together informally and in the summer of 2009, Goodspeed invited Marshall and Clarke to join her for the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist showcase. They knew then that they had something special and decided to make it official.
Over a few beers and a plate of nachos at a local tavern, The Boxcar Lilies were wed. Yes it was a shotgun wedding. They married their love (read: obsession) for great songwriting and sweet harmonies and set out to arrange originals and some of their favorite cover songs by the likes of Fred Eaglesmith, Neil Young, and Gillian Welch.
They recorded their debut CD Heartwood the following summer with esteemed producer and engineer Dave Chalfant (Erin McKeown, The Nields). Comprised of nine originals and a stellar version of Neil Young’s “Old Man”, the collection pays homage to a range of traditional genres including folk, bluegrass, and country, but it has a decidedly contemporary feel. The hallmark of the record is The Boxcar Lilies’ lush harmonies. Their singing voices, like their writing voices, are distinct and exceptional, but combine to make a delicious whole – a sound that is sometimes delicate, sometimes gritty, but always uniquely warm and welcoming.
Backing Jenny (guitar, concert ukulele), Stephanie (guitar, percussion), and Katie (guitar, banjo), are an impressive group of musicians, including Dave Chalfant on guitar and bass, Jim Henry (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tracy Grammer) on Dobro, guitar, and mandolin, and Eric Lee (The Strangelings) on fiddle.
Tracks from the record have been played on radio stations both in the U.S. and abroad, including Gene Shay's The Folk Show (WXPN, Philadelphia), WRSI (Northampton, MA), and on Rich Warren's Midnight Special(WFMT, Chicago/Syndicated) when it was named one of "Rich's Picks".
Zak Jason of The Cape Cod Times said, "From the chugging bliss of “Green River Blues” to the dizzying banjo work of “Feels Like Home,” the Boxcar Lilies pack the album with reflective lyrics, masterful instrumentation and infectious harmonizing, their trademark quality."
Valley Advocate, January 4, 2012 Matthew Dube interviews the Boxcar Lilies in his weekly music column: Sweet Boxcar Harmonies
Zak Jason, Cape Cod Times, May 19, 2011
At times their harmonizing fills you with warmth. At other times it bruises with heartache. But something stays consistent throughout each song by modern folk trio the Boxcar Lilies: crafty songwriting.
Members Stephanie Marshall, Katie Clarke and Jenny Goodspeed formed the Boxcar Lilies in Western Massachusetts in 2009 and began by performing nuanced covers of their favorites Fred Eaglesmith, Neil Young and Gillian Welch. After honing their sound, they recorded their debut album, “Heartwood” (released in January), an equally mournful and soaring collection of original folk songs and an eerie cover of Neil Young's “Old Man.” From the chugging bliss of “Green River Blues” to the dizzying banjo work of “Feels Like Home,” the Boxcar Lilies pack the album with reflective lyrics, masterful instrumentation and infectious harmonizing, their trademark quality.
Most acts with such delicate recorded material run the risk of falling flat. But for the past two years the trio has sold out shows throughout New England and the East Coast by bringing energy, improvisation and charming presence to the stage each night. Anyone with an ear for folk or luscious harmonies will enjoy these women at the Cotuit Center for the Arts.
Sheryl Hunter, The Recorder (Greenfield, MA), March 31, 2011
There is nothing like great three part harmonies to send a shiver up your spine and create goose bumps on your skin. It is one of the loveliest musical sounds you can hear and when we think of great harmonies in the contemporary roots music world, we think of bands like The Wailin' Jennys or Red Molly. We can now add The Boxcar Lilies to that list.
The trio has an appealing, rootsy take on music. But even more than their musicianship or strong songwriting, it's the band's stunning harmonies that is at the heart of its appeal.
Justin Abelson, The Recorder (Greenfield, MA)
I was caught a little off-guard by how much I like “Heartwood,” the debut disc by the Boxcar Lilies. It includes original songs and a cover of Neil Young’s “Old Man” that makes the song their own. The musical connection these women have shines through. The album is powered by turns at lead vocals, harmonies and the terrific backing musicians, many from the valley. The singing and picking on “Heartwood” conjures up the country life, with back roads, love found and lost; stuff that is familiar to plenty of the area’s residents. It sounds like the Boxcar Lilies have been writing, playing and singing this kind of music for a long time. Let’s hope that this is just the first of many more albums to come from this special group.
Richard Cuccaro, Acoustic Live (NYC), December 2011
The Boxcar Lilies are singer/songwriters Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall and Katie Clarke. For some, the arrival of three attractive harmonizing women is going to seem like the second coming of Red Molly. However, the husky alto of Katie Clarke lends a different flavor to the overall harmony blend. All three songwriters contribute material and there’s only one cover on the CD, but what a great one it is, Neil Young’s “Old Man,” and what a great job they do with it. If they so choose, there are a lot of other covers out there that folks will pay good money to hear them sing. Rest assured, I’ll be listening.
The Advertiser (UK) – May 20, 2011
The Boxcar Lilies (what a wonderful name) are singer/writers Stephanie Marshall, Katie Clarke, and Jenny Goodspeed from Massachusetts. They formed in 2009 and in a short space of time have gained many, many fans for their beautiful lead vocals, stunning harmonies and writing talents. The debut album, “Heartwood”, features nine original songs plus a telling version of Neil Young’s “Old Man”. The sound reminds me greatly of the Carter Family but brought up to date and with the help of
Dave Chalfant (guitar, bass), Jim Henry (Dobro, guitar, mandolin) and Eric Lee (fiddle) the trio offer a delicious blend of folk, bluegrass and country or, to use the current terminology, Americana.
Sheryl Hunter, The Recorder (Greenfield, MA), January 20, 2011
Fans of roots music will delight in this 10-song collection, which has traces of folk, country and bluegrass. Each woman gets to showcase her individual talents with her own compositions, but it's when their three voices blend that the Lilies really soar.
Darius Rips, Oliver DiPlace, September 14, 2011
The Boxcar Lilies are the trio of Jenny Goodspeed, Katie Clarke, and Stephanie Marshall. Each plays an instrument, (isn’t Katie Clarke the perfect name for a banjo player?), and they take turns on lead vocals, with the other two providing great support singing backup. Heartwood is their debut album, and they were more than ready. The album is a marvel of consistency, a solid work of contemporary folk that allows each of their voices to be heard, but shows why they are together. Jenny Goodspeed takes the lead on her song Leaving You. The song is an acoustic country waltz, and it leads you to expect a heartbroken break up song. But then the chorus arrives, and the song turns into a marvelously over the top brush off song. The Boxcar Lilies can show their serious side too, but I love the playfulness and good humor of this one.
The Beat Surrender, October 20, 2011
Formed in 2009 the trio of Jenny Goodspeed (guitar, ukulele), Stephanie Marshall (guitar, percussion) and Katie Clarke (guitar, banjo) are collectively The Boxcar Lilies – their debut album Heartwood is a fine collection of country-folk with some decidedly sweet harmonies. They walk a straight path through the genre with a spring in their step and all three contribute to nine original numbers on the album, there’s a fine cover of Shakey’s wonderful Old Man too.
Some fan reactions to recent performances... "The Boxcar Lilies blew the roof off this evening. PHENOMENAL!"
"You ladies made heads spin this evening. I am going to be taking some serious pressure from folks anxious for your return. Sooner rather than later! Please!"
"You ladies were amazing tonight. You harmonize so beautifully and it was a pleasure to meet all of you."
"It's always fun discovering new musicians. Your performance on Gene Shay's show was one of those moments for me. You ladies were great."
"Just listening to you on WXPN. Love the music! Great way to start my work night!"
"You were great on WXPN. The buzz around you just keeps getting louder."
"Y'all were awesome! I was so glad I was able to be there while you were performing. It was a great day to sit and listen to your lovely music. I love your energy and your voices are so nice together!"
"Loved your beautiful Passim set! Boxcar Lilies of all hair hues: your harmonies are heavenly! Particularly swooned over "Our Mother the Moon." Awe-inspiring... Thanks!"
"[This was] the first time I got to see the Boxcar Lilies but it won't be the last."
venues
of note • The Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA)
• The Iron Horse Music Hall (Northampton, MA)
• Club Passim (Cambridge, MA)
• Cafe Veritas (Rochester, NY)
• Moore Music Concerts (Rockville, MD)
• The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center
(Middletown, CT)
• Hooker-Dunham Theater ( Brattleboro, VT)
• Cotuit Center for the Arts (Cotuit, MA)
• St. James Coffeehouse (Greenfield, MA)
• Elmer's Big Names in a Small Room Series (Ashfield, MA)
• Cat in the Cradle Coffee House (Topsfield, MA) showcases and festivals • 2012 International Folk Alliance Conference Official Showcase Artist
• 2011 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Official Quad Showcase Artist
• Green River Festival (Greenfield, MA)
• First Night Northampton (MA)
• WRSI Earth Day Festival (Northampton, MA)
• Franklin County Fair (Greenfield, MA)
• Hilltown Spring Festival (Cummington, MA) radio & tv appearances • The Folk Show with Gene Shay, WXPN-FM (Philadelphia, PA)
• Valley Homegrown, Greenfield Community Television, MA
• Acoustic Café, WMUA-FM Amherst, MA
• U-H Radio Bluegrass, WWUH-FM, West Hartford, CT
• Mass Appeal, WWLP Television, Springfield, MA
• Coffee House Series, Montague Community Television, MA upcoming shows(Click below) The Boxcar Lilies Tour Calendar
Vermont Public Radio (VT)
WRUR (Rochester, NY)
WITH (Ithaca, NY)
WCVF (Fredonia, NY)
WMUC (Silver Spring, MD)
WSCL (Salisbury, MD)
WMHB (Waterville, ME)
WGCS (Goshen, IN)
WRKF (Baton Rouge, LA)
WNEC (Henniker, NH)
WSLR (Sarasota, FL)
WORT (Madison, WI)
Kansas Public Radio (KS)
KUNR (Reno, NV)
CKUT (Montreal, Canada)
Inner FM (Australia)
Plenty Valley (Australia)
Forest FM (UK)
FAB-AM (UK)
Radio Solskin (Denmark)
pur-country.de (Germany)
Radio NOF (Netherlands)
