THE BOXCAR LILIES

The Boxcar Lilies have quickly made a name for themselves with their signature mix of folk, country, and bluegrass-tinged Americana music featuring spine-tingling, innovative harmonies and top-notch songwriting. Accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, concert ukulele, bass, and washboard, they have brought their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to venues up and down the Eastern seaboard.

Based in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, The Boxcar Lilies are Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall, and Katie Clarke - three singer-songwriters that met and discovered a shared passion for three-part harmony. At the time they met in 2009, Clarke was playing bluegrass and traditional country, Marshall was recording contemporary country and rock songs in Nashville, and Goodspeed was writing in the vein of 70s era singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell. It didn’t take long for them to realize that their varied interests and influences added up to something special.

That summer, Goodspeed invited Marshall and Clarke to join her for the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist showcase which sealed the deal. Afterwards, over a few beers at a local tavern, The Boxcar Lilies were wed. They married their love for great songwriting and sweet harmonies and set out to arrange originals and cover some of their favorite songs by the likes of Fred Eaglesmith, Neil Young, and Gillian Welch.

In 2010, they recorded their debut CD Heartwood . In 2013, they returned to the studio to record their follow-up studio album . They finished the album just as the ground was beginning to thaw and maple sugaring season was in full swing, so it seemed only fitting to choose the song Sugar Shack as the title track.

On Sugar Shack The Boxcar Lilies continue their contemporary take on a range of traditional genres including folk, bluegrass, country, and gospel. Their singing voices, like their writing voices are distinct and exceptional, but combine to make a delicious whole - a sound that is sometimes gritty, sometimes delicate, but always warm and welcoming.

Some might consider forty-something an unconventional age to embark on journeys as touring musicians, a time when many artists choose to start staying closer to home. Marshall who’s a mom and owns a contracting business with her husband admits, “It definitely can be a challenge balancing music and family, but it’s worth it. The three of us stumbled onto something that doesn’t come along every day.”

“Now and then, when exhaustion sets in, I think, man I wish we found each other 10 years ago,” added Goodspeed, laughing, “But the flip side is that we never take anything for granted. We just enjoy every moment we get to make music together.”

Bristol’s Stone Coffee House is an affordable, family-oriented, handicap-accessible musical venue. Doors open at 6:45PM and the show starts at 7:30PM. Tickets are available at the door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets are $15.00 per person; student’s are half price; children 5 and under are free. For ticket information or to purchase tickets in advance, please call 253-4813 or 253-7288.

The First Congregational Church is located at 300 High Street (corner of High and Bradford Streets) in Bristol, RI.