About The Black Lillies
The Black Lillies have never backed down from a challenge: proudly independent since their formation, they are always pushing forward and evolving, letting the inspiration and music take focus. That drive has led them to become one of Americana’s biggest success stories: an internationally-renowned band of roots-rockers, armed with songs that blur the boundaries between folk, soul, red dirt country, blues and rock.
With four albums under their belts, the band has been a mainstay on radio and album sales charts, promoting each release in the blue-collar tradition: by hitting the highway, averaging 175 gigs per year. That road-warrior work ethic has become as integral to the band’s success as founder Cruz Contreras’ songwriting, taking the band from coast to coast, border to border, and even country to country. And they have racked up accolades as easily as the miles on their Sprinter, winning praise from outlets including American Songwriter, Rolling Stone, NPR, CMT, Wall Street Journal and Billboard.
The Black Lillies have enthralled audiences at festivals including Bonnaroo Music + Arts, New Orleans Jazz Fest, MerleFest, Stagecoach, CMA Fest & Fan Fair, and Pickathon. Equally at home on theatre stages and in rock clubs, they were one of the first independent bands to play the Grand Ole Opry and have since returned dozens of times – sharing that stage with big-budget bands and major-label mainstreamers. They’ve chased down success on their terms, ignoring the trends of Nashville and focusing on a sound that, as Vanity Fair notes, “continues to cross generations and musical genres – country, folk, blues and a touch of the Dead, for good measure.”
After a major lineup change in 2016 following the departure of two longterm members, bassist/vocalist Sam Quinn joined the fold. A musician with his own cult following due to his role as one half of the driving force behind indie folk darlings the everybodyfields as well as his solo work, he initially signed on to fill in for four shows … but the chemistry was undeniable, and he stayed. Soon after, guitar slinger/vocalist Dustin Schaefer, fresh off a stint with Micky and the Motorcars and a singer/songwriter in his own right, jumped into the mix. And suddenly, the group went from a band with one songwriter to a band with three – plus a drummer, longtime member Bowman Townsend, who helps with song arrangements.
After eight years, four albums, and over a thousand shows, The Black Lillies have evolved from a group of people playing Cruz’s music to a REAL BAND – a group of collaborators who spend as much time together off the road as they do on the road; where everyone contributes and weighs in on the ultimate vision; where a song could be written by any member (or multiple members); where the music takes priority over absolutely everything else. They’re building on that foundation of strong roots rock and creating something brand new. Even classic Black Lillies songs sound fresh and reimagined in their hands – with lush, layered harmonies, a funky edge, and the undeniable chemistry that radiates from the musicians on stage.
With a new configuration, new songs and the same dedication to touring, the Lillies continue to sink their roots deep into the Americana landscape. The band will head into the studio in February to begin work on their new album, due out fall 2018 on Thirty Tigers.
Videos
Comments
Explore Nearby
-
1
Saul Subsidiary II Limited Partnership
Restaurants -
2
10th Street Grill
Restaurants -
3
Lotus Tours
Attractions -
4
National Aquarium
Attractions -
5
Four Points By Sheraton Washington D.c. Downtown
Hotels
-
1
Saul Subsidiary II Limited Partnership
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW -
2
10th Street Grill
518 10th St NW -
3
Bar Louie, Washington DC
701 7th Street NW -
4
Chinese Consolidated Bnvlnt
510 I St NW -
5
Stoneys Beef N Beer
1307 L St NW -
6
Tantra Lounge at indebleu
707 G St NW -
7
Bluepoint Fish Club
1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW -
8
Bistro Bis
15 E St NW -
9
Mio
1110 Vermont Ave NW -
10
Legal Sea Foods - 7th Street
704 7th Street NW -
11
Lima Restaurant & Lounge
1401 K St NW -
12
District Chophouse & Brewery
509 7th St NW -
13
Oya Restuarant & Lounge
777 9th St NW -
14
Carmine's
425 7th St NW -
15
Dc Coast
1401 K St NW -
16
Clyde's Of Gallery Place
707 7th St NW -
17
Ceiba
701 14th St NW -
18
Charlie Palmer Steak
101 Constitution Ave NW -
19
Capital Grille
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW -
20
Rasika
633 D St NW
-
1
Lotus Tours
610 I St NW -
2
National Aquarium
1401 Constitution Ave -
3
Korea Business Center
1225 I St NW -
4
Lafayette Park
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW -
5
White House
600 Pennsylvania Ave NW -
6
Insect Zoo at National Museum of Natural History
10th St and Constitution Ave NW -
7
Farragut Square Park
Farragut Square -
8
Lafayette Park
Pennsylvania Ave and Jackson Pl, NW -
9
Franklin Square Park
14th Street & K Street NW -
10
National Portrait Gallery
8th St & F St NW -
11
National Museum of Natural History
10th St & Constitution Ave Nw -
12
Madame Tussauds
1001 F St NW -
13
Ford's Theatre
511 10th St NW -
14
National Geographic Museum
1145 17th Street, NW -
15
National Museum Of Crime & Punishment
575 7th St NW -
16
Hard Rock Cafe - Washington DC
999 E Street, NW -
17
Washington DC Dinner Cruise
Book Tours Online! -
18
Gettysburg Day Trip from Washington DC
Book Tours Online! -
19
Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour in Washington DC
Book Tours Online! -
20
DC Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW -
21
Admission to Washington DC Newseum
Book Tours Online! -
22
National Gallery of Art Small-Group Walking Tour
Book Tours Online!
-
1
Four Points By Sheraton Washington D.c. Downtown
1201 K St Nw -
2
Crowne Plaza Hamilton
1001 14th St NW -
3
Hyatt Regency Washington Dc
400 New Jersey Ave NW -
4
Westin Washington Dc
1400 M Street, NW -
5
The Liaison Capitol Hill, An Affinia Hotel
415 New Jersey Ave Nw -
6
Phoenix Park Hotel
520 N Capitol St NW -
7
Washington Court Hotel
525 New Jersey Ave Nw -
8
Hilton Garden Inn Washington Dc Downtown
815 14th St NW -
9
Renaissance Washington, Dc Downtown Hotel
999 9th St Nw -
10
Sofitel Washington Dc Lafayette Square
806 15th Street NW -
11
Bridgestreet City Center
825 Tenth Street NW -
12
Luxury Flat Downtown DC
300 Massachusetts Avenue NW -
13
Hyatt Place DC/Downtown/K Street
1522 K Street, NW -
14
W Washington D.c.
515 15th Street, NW -
15
The Hay-adams
800 16th Street NW -
16
Residence Inn By Marriott Washington, Dc Downtown
1199 Vermont Ave Nw -
17
Donovan House, A Kimpton Hotel
1155 14th St NW
© 2024 WashingtonDC.com: A City Guide by Boulevards. All Rights Reserved. Advertise with us | Contact us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map