Forlorn Strangers
Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
"Forlorn Strangers is a folk/Americana quartet (preforming as a quintet) from Nashville, TN. They began their set with a song that featured some mighty strong hand clapping and that really woke me up—made me pay attention. I liked the fact that the lead vocals were shared among the band from song to song. Their choice of instruments banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, upright bass, and vocals really gave Forlorn Strangers a sweet southern sound." - One Fan at a Time
"Cool spring days are the best, and the sweet Americana harmonies from Forlorn Strangers can only make today better. Every band member is a guitarist/vocalist/lyricist; songwriting doesn’t get much more pure than that." - No Country for New Nashville
"Forlorn Strangers are a quartet from Nashville who have killer harmonies and play a range of instruments from the guitar, violin, [bass], and harmonica." - This is It Philly
"Forlorn Strangers is made up of Ben, Chris, Jesse, Hannah and Abigail. Hailing from different states around the country, they are united by their love for Americana music and their passion for songwriting. They are a heavy, harmony based, Americana influenced group that brings positive vibes to every show they play. Their first CD “While The Grass Grows” was released in September and they have since been touring the east coast. The writing and recording process is something special to them as they all contribute and get to watch a song come to life." - Lightning 100
“The Blush Of The Cheeks Can Come From The Drink And Love's Blood Pumping” - Daytrotter Sessions
“Ripe in raw Americana, tunes including “Fiddle, Boy” and “Jolene” seem made for an audience full of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion attendees.” - Tricities News
“Now for the best of discoveries that were made this past week, ...Forlorn Strangers” - Paste Magazine
"For me though, a particular highlight of the festival was Forlorn Strangers, the Nashville-based Americana quintet that absolutely killed it on Saturday afternoon. The musicians switch back and forth between instruments, bringing in banjo, fiddle, harmonica, and mandolin to supplement the guitar and upright bass. The band plays seamlessly together, and watching them perform makes audience members like me want to dance and laugh. There was something about their music, about the way that they shimmied on stage and stomped — there was something about it that could have filled me with joy and tears at the same time. That feeling was, in short, the experience of existing." - Little Utopia Magazine
“On the edge of bluegrass and folk, Forlorn Strangers are taking a hike in the right direction. The group has managed to capture soul in each and every one of their songs, and keep us smiling while doing so. The band has beautiful harmonies that seem to flow effortlessly as the music plays on. While Forlorn Strangers has not taken over the world yet, they have most certainly won us over here at Music Helm.” - Music Helm
"old-timey-Americana" - New Times Broward
"They create inspiring, original music that is a welcome departure from the norm." - Florida Today
"They’re gifted with a riveting sound as loose as a string in the wind.
The Nashville-based string band managed to carve a niche for themselves within an ever-growing and crowded community of string bands. Forlorn Strangers formed in 2012. Three years later and as illustrated on their new album, “American Magic Tricks,” the band’s four-part harmonies chime with crispness. Cobbled like a pie that cools on the windowsill, Forlorn Strangers aren’t so strange after all." - TriCities Things to Do
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Forlorn Strangers is a Nashville, TN Americana quintet hailing from the great states of Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania & Minnesota.
The band is comprised of four songwriters with individual sounds & styles that blend into one cohesive voice. Their music is rooted in family harmonies & flavored with guitars, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, & foot stomping percussion.
The band was established in 2011 with Chris Banke (guitar, vocals), Benjamin Lusk (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Hannah Leigh (mandolin, percussion, vocals), through a writer's group in South Florida. Songwriting sessions evolved into a committed group, and the three moved to a farm in Waco, TX, for a creative sabbatical. Continuing to grow, they transplanted to Nashville, TN in 2013, and Hannah's sister, Abigail Dempsey (fiddle, guitar, percussion, vocals) joined the band soon thereafter.
In May 2013, Forlorn Strangers released their debut EP, While the Grass Grows. It contains six dynamic tracks: from foot stomping hooks, train songs, and gospel choruses to yodeling ballads and introspective, thoughtful lyrics. It was recorded, mixed, and mastered in Nashville, TN by Jesse Thompson (upright bass), who joined the band in 2014 for their spring east coast tour. They covered thousands of miles gaining new fans and reviews, playing to rowdy bars and quiet coffee shops. Momentum from tour carried their return to Nashville where they are receiving heavy radio play on Lightning 100, Nashville's independent radio station, and booking many regional shows.
Forlorn Strangers, as a completed quintet, are returning to the studio this June to record their second EP. The projected release is late summer with a national tour booked for the fall.
Band Members
Links
