Huntsville, Alabama, is home to many different, diverse activities, many of which you might expect but some you may not. I had the pleasure of visiting Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment to see The Sternwheelers in concert.
Who are the Sternwheelers?
The Sternwheelers are a four-person band out of Nashville that plays Irish-American music. They make sure to exaggerate that their music is hyphenated, meaning that they do not play just Irish or just American music. Their work takes inspiration from both cultures.
Many of The Sternwheeler’s songs are original songs written and arranged by Patrick Martin. The group also heavily reimagines old Irish classics. Adjusting the arrangements and lyrics to fit a more modern tone.
Who is in the Sternwheelers?
Patrick Martin:
Patrick Martin is the lead singer/songwriter of the band. Additionally, he plays the bouzouki, a long-necked instrument from the lute family. Patrick’s smoky vocal tones added dimension and excitement to the performance, and his personality shined through in his interactions with his bandmates and the audience.
Sean Cunningham:
Sean Cunningham is the band’s flutist. His level of commitment and talent is impressive, especially when you consider the breath control that is needed to perform some of their songs as the single flutist on the stage. He also provided a very small number of backup vocals. He also has fantastic stage presence, making sure to pause to joke with the audience about things like Red Bull.
Josh Jernigan:
Josh Jernigan is the band’s percussionist. He specializes in a unique instrument called the bodhran. The bodhrán is a unique frame drum with a goatskin head that is played with one mallet, called a tipper. Josh also provided most of the backup vocals and performed one song where he sang lead. Compared to his counterpart Patrick’s voice, his tone is much more clear and sweet. Josh also has very memorable interactions with the audience and his fellow bandmates, keeping the audience interested and engaged.
Sarah Bystrom:
Sarah Bystrom is the final member of the band. She rounded out the sound with the addition of her fiddle, which really helped the band to have a more dynamic and ‘full’ sound. She is a very talented musician who really brought a lot to the performance.
The Performance
The performance was really nice. As Patrick described, most of their music was centered around ‘whiskey, sailing, and the sea.’ Their songs were typically slightly more ballad-leaning, telling a tale, some with more somber tones, others more upbeat.
By a landslide, my favorite song that they performed was called ‘Wet the Goat,’ which was a far more upbeat, jovial song. It felt like a song that you could dance to all the way through, whereas some of their other pieces only felt like ‘dancing music’ in parts. If I had any notes about their set, it would have been to add more songs like that one.
Overall, the band performed for a little over an hour, and there were no songs that were notably weaker than the others. Their stage presence was good, all of the members of the band seemed to be perfectly at home on the stage (though Josh did joke that the other band members were making him nervous). Overall, the performance was very enjoyable and well worth what I paid for the ticket.
The Other Key Players:
You can’t have something like this without a good deal of people working behind the scenes to arrange everything, and keep everything running smoothly.
Irish Drum Center:
The entire performance was hosted by the Irish Drum Center. The Irish Drum Center is based out of Lowe Mill, and the owner, Andy Kruspe, provides lessons in the bodhrán as well as many other percussion instruments. The lessons take place in his studio in Lowe Mill and are open to people of all ages and experience levels.
I feel like it needs to be said that Andy with the Irish Drum Center is a lovely guy. I worked with him personally for a bit, to arrange my attendance to the performance, and he really goes above and beyond with what he does. Though I have not taken any lessons from him, just judging from what I know, I think that he would likely be a fantastic, patient teacher.
Tangled String Studios:
Tangled String Studios provided the venue for the performance, as the attendance had outgrown their last venue. Tangled Strings Studios is a custom-made acoustic guitar shop and concert venue. They did a fantastic job as hosts; the room was filled with attendees but not suffocating or overly full.
The lighting and acoustics were fantastic; everything could be easily and clearly heard, with nothing being too overpowering, and the atmosphere was perfectly fitting for the visiting band.
What you Need to Know:
How to find the concerts – The entire thing wasn’t super well advertised, and by the time I found out about it, it was already sold out. If you are interested in attending some of these smaller, Irish-American/Folk-y performances, it is best to get in touch with Andy Kruspe beforehand to be put on the emailing list, so you can be notified of upcoming performances.
Lowe Mill – The concerts, at least to this point, have been located in Lowe Mill, which means that there is plenty to look at and discover while you are waiting.
Seating – there didn’t seem to be a ‘bad seat’ in the entire venue, but seating is not assigned, so arrive early if you are looking to get into certain seats. Seating
can also get a little ‘funny’ in that sometimes open seats will be available between people who are already in groups. If your party doesn’t fit in the available space, just ask the people sitting around the open seat – it can be moved!
Things to Look Forward To:
The next artists that the Irish Drum Center will be hosting in Tangled Strings Studio are The Consequences. The Consequences are another American-based band that performs Irish Traditional Music.
The performance will take place on Friday, May 17th at 7pm. Tickets will be $21.50 each before sales tax. Additional information can be found here.
The Consequences will also be hosting a workshop in the Irish Drum Center’s studio in Lowe Mill. More information on that can be found here.
Overall: The Sternwheelers at Lowe Mill Concert
Overall, I really did have a nice time being able to explore a new genre of music in a nice venue. It was a really fun evening, and well worth what I paid for the ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Are The Sternwheelers?
The Sternwheelers are a Nashville-based band blending Irish and American music, led by Patrick Martin. They infuse traditional tunes with modern flair.
Where Can I Find Information About Lowe Mill Concerts?
Information about upcoming concerts at Lowe Mill, like The Sternwheelers performance, can be obtained by contacting Andy Kruspe at the Irish Drum Center.
What Can I Expect From Attending a Concert at Tangled String Studios?
Tangled String Studios, known for its excellent acoustics, hosts intimate concerts like The Sternwheelers’. Expect a cozy atmosphere and clear, captivating performances.
