Mother Banjo

Featuring Ellen Stanley on banjo and vocals, Mother Banjo is a critically acclaimed songwriter who combines the haunting sounds of traditional folk and gospel with contemporary alt-country and Americana.  Called an "outstanding poet" (Inside Bluegrass), the New England-raised, Minnesota-based musician was selected as a Midwest Finalist in the prestigious Mountain Stage NewSong Contest. Her album The Sad and Found was named the #10 local album of 2009 by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and was featured nationally on SiriusXM Radio.

Following up on her recent success, Mother Banjo has released her new CD Stray Songs, an EP of songs about sinning, cheating and the ways we stray from those we love. An intimate affair, it was recorded in just two days at the home studio of acclaimed acoustic/pop artist Kevin Steinman. Mother Banjo produced the CD, bringing in her regular Minneapolis band--Dan Gaarder (guitar, vocals), Jon Olson (electric bass), Jim Parker (mandolin)--that adds a nice Americana energy to songs like "Lying Down with Sinners" and "The Line." Kevin Steinman and Ben Cook-Feltz also contribute some beautiful vocal and piano parts, while John Hermanson (Storyhill, The Hopefuls) sings on "New," a heartfelt duet about wanting to start again. Haunting and soulful, Stray Songs confirms that Mother Banjo is a songwriter coming into her own and shows why she is fast winning the praise of such artists as Josh Ritter and John Gorka.

In support of Stray Songs, Mother Banjo will play solo and band dates across the country. She is currently working with The Brass Kings' Steve Kaul to record a full-length gospel album with her band called The Devil Hasn't Won, due out later this year.