Music
Press
The name Blueprintmusic seems to imply a bare-bones, simple style of music. And yes, the group is based around only two musicians (singer Kate Lamont and guitar/banjo player Doug Sauter), along with the recent addition of cellist Grover Parido and Matt Koher on mandolin and fiddle. That's where the simplicity ends. The band manages to draw in influences everywhere from Stravinsky to Eric Dolphy to Bjork. Instead of looking to the name as an indication of simplicity, it's more appropriate to interpret it as building the foundation of their sound themselves from the group up. - Indianapolismusic.net
"They look like a bluegrass band- there's a banjo, fiddle, dobro and other trappings- but you won't find any songs about mama or whiskey. There's no twang in Kate Lamont's soulful vocals and Doug Sauter's guitar and banjo playing is certainly the result of some Bela Fleck/Michael Hedges gene merge. His instrumentation is as complex as the most intricate jazz but far more accessible and melodic. Lamont's poetic lyrics paint stirring images in songs like "Stars for the Sun," a number that also includes dreamy multi-part harmonies and Sauter's amazing banjo work. There's an eerie feeling in the lyrics of the title cut, a tune in 6/8 that features banjo, cello and Lamont's evocative vocals. Banjo and cello? I swear, I am not making this up and yes, it's astoundingly beautiful. "Keep My Memory" features a percussive guitar in an open tuning with a tasty acoustic bass pining it down. A couple of the songs do have a more standard bluegrass arrangement, including "All My Life" about making life choices: "Logan" is a lively piece about a nice guy. I would have liked lyrics in the liner notes but it's a small complaint. Production so clean it leaps out of the stereo. Who are they? A bluegrass October Project? A jazzed up Alison Krauss and Union Station? I give up. Just go buy this CD!" - Sing Out Magazine
"Melodic orchestral music from an earthy, eclectic group, Blueprintmusic's classy, old-world sound struck chords with an attentive audience." - Nuvo Newsweekly
Discography
LP- Released 2002
LP- Ghosts and Eskimos 2004
LP- Slow Pace Quickening 2007
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Bio
Our strength is a well-crafted song.
The gifted songwriting team of Kate Lamont, vocals, and Doug Sauter, guitar and banjo, began writing together several years ago. They make elegant choices, giving their material wide appeal. Deft reflections of the human condition, Blueprintmusic songs are inspiring, heart-breaking, adventurous, peaceful.
Members of Blueprintmusic contribute to the song arrangements. They come from every genre, including jazz, classical, bluegrass, folk and rhythm and blues. While most parts are "composed", some arrangements contain improvised introductions or interludes that pull the audience into the moment.
Grover Parido, cellist extraordinaire, and Matt Koher, vangaurd mandolinist/ fiddler, joined the ensemble in 2003. Joshua Strodtman came on board during the making of Ghosts and Eskimos in 2004. Performing on guitar when Doug is playing banjo, Joshua also plays dobro, congas, djembe. Indianapolis jazz great Fred Withrow displayed his formidable bass skills on the album "Ghosts and Eskimos." Joining the "live" lineup 2007, his low-end has built a new foundation for the band and completes the ensemble.
Blueprintmusic is at home on the festival or concert stage, and can give acoustic "house concert" performances.
Blueprintmusic resides in the midwest, currently in Indianapolis, IN.
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