The Horsenecks
photo credit : Tristan Paiige
The Horsenecks - based in Astoria, Oregon are Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern. They are two multi-instrumentalists and harmony singers who have come together from traditional music backgrounds and found a sound that weaves through layers of influence that include early Appalachian stringband music, classic country, bluegrass and original folk.
Gabrielle's fiddle style is the result of being raised in the Old Time music hotbed of Portland, OR and being exposed to the fiddle traditions of the Southeast US through years of traveling to festivals and learning from some of the greatest players in the genre. She gained notoriety as a clawhammer banjo player through her work with the Macrae Sisters, and formed the Horsenecks with Barry after the two met at a music festival in 2012.
Barry’s banjo and guitar playing range from thrilling and high-octane to moody and captivating, and his versatility shines whether flatpicking, playing clawhammer, or driving three-finger banjo. Barry has been a luminary in his home town of Liverpool’s music scene for over 20 years, playing lead guitar with cult heroes Tramp Attack, banjo with Liverpool's popular bluegrass party band The Loose Moose Stringband, and with multiple groups in the UK’s bluegrass and old time scene.
Both songwriters bring together their background in traditional music and modern influences across many genres to create a catalog of songs that speak to their place in the evolving story of traditional music.
Now booking concerts and festivals in the US and Canada
“…beautiful old-time roots… The Horsenecks remain true to the tradition while making it sound fresh and vibrant.”
- Folk Alley
“moving songs with dynamic instrumentals… continuing to hone a brand of revamped traditionalism…”
— No Depression
“Cowboy ballads and fiddle tunes in Old-Time string band tradition… there’s an awful lot to admire in the writing, singing and playing…”