The Bix Mix Boys

The Lethbridge Folk Club had a superb turnout for a superb show by Edmonton based bluegrass band The Bix Mix Boys, Oct. 13.

I only caught the last half hour of the show, but they were playing authentic bluegrass music. There was some intense mandolin playing, some quick picked banjo and fleet fingered fiddle playing, excellent guitar playing with Jim Storey’s electric bass holding everything together. Fiddle player Tony Michael was a real ham throughout the show, cracking jokes with guitarist Logan Sarchfield.

Mandolinist Terry Nadashi picked up a fiddle to trade a few fine fiddle licks with Michael. Michael has played fiddle with a plethora of musicians including k.d Lang, Ian Tyson and the Bellamy Brothers, to name just a few. He beamed through his walrus moustache.

Frontman Darcy Whiteside told stories and sang lead on most of the songs though Sarchfield and Nadasi also sang lead on a few. But all three of them sang stunning vocal harmonies, which Michael would also add to on occasion.

They sang a few traditional bluegrass numbers, though Whiteside sang several outstanding originals about Canada and Alberta.

His “Ballad of Bill Miner,” was a highlight as was “Alberta,” which he wrote about his grandfather moving to Carstairs from England, which had everyone cheering mid-way through the song at the line “I wasn’t born here, but I’ll die here. Alberta is my blood and it’s my home. ”

They wound things down with a cover of the Good Brothers’ “Fox on The Run.”

But were called back for a mind boggling encore of “The Auctioneer,” which Whiteside said was the first song he learned on banjo at age five. Meanwhile Tony Michael did a hillbilly jig throughout the song. He got to strut his stuff with an instrumental about trains, which encouraged him to create a variety of animal songs on the fiddle during several solo spots.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor - L.A. Beat - The Lethbridge Alberta Beat

Bluegrass quartet hosts an old-fashioned, uh, podcast
Mike Angus

Bluegrass players are well-known for their adherence to old timey tradition, and Edmonton bluegrass quartet the Bix Mix Boys is no different, save for a modern twist. When approached to host a regular bluegrass jam at the ARTery, the group decided to team up with Big Rock Brewery to produce a monthly podcast called the Big Rock Bluegrass Hour. In the spirit of radio shows from the golden age of bluegrass—complete with scripts, jokes and recipes from home—banjo player/vocalist Darcy Whiteside explains the band's evolution and realization of the Bluegrass Hour.

"Ben Sures called me up and wanted us to do a monthly bluegrass show at the ARTery. We were driving back from a bluegrass festival at two o'clock in the morning, and we were talking about what we wanted to do with this. We started talking about the bluegrass radio shows of the '30s and '40s, so we drafted up a script, we contacted Big Rock to see if they'd sponsor us, and they did, which was shocking. We ended up writing a theme song for Big Rock, Jim [Storey, upright bass] started doing Recipe of the Month using Big Rock beer and we added the podcast, too, to keep it in that same vein and spirit."

Along with Logan Sarchfield on guitar and Terry Nadasdi on mandolin, the boys of Bix Mix enjoy the opportunity to honour all aspects of traditional acoustic music as well as their place in Edmonton's cozy bluegrass scene.

"[Playing bluegrass] is definitely like keeping one foot in the past and honouring that genre," he explains. "It's a relatively new music form, compared to country. But for bluegrass players, it is an obsession, and it's a pretty small scene, so you get these opportunities to talk with each other and the history of your banjo, Bill Munroe or Flatt & Scruggs ... everyone has a strong respect for the music."

Such tight circles in the music scene are what helped the Bix Mix Boys record their debut self-titled album, as the band was able to recruit the experience of producer Eric Uglum and recorded it all at Scott Franchuk's Riverdale Recorders studio.

"Eric is a phenomenal mandolin-guitar-songwriter from California we met at a festival and ... we met Scott Franchuk through [folk rock band] the George Bushes," Whiteside notes. "We like Scott's strong sense of recording acoustic music, which can be difficult if you don't have a drummer."
No strangers to technology, the Bix Mix Boys understand the pros and cons of the digital age, especially when it comes to honouring the orthodoxy of bluegrass's more purist advocates.

"You can do a lot with technology," Whiteside admits with a laugh. "There are good shortcuts and bad shortcuts. You can always improve the production quality, but there's a line—and I think Scott's really good with that—to know when the point is that you say 'stop' and get out of over-production."

With the busy summer festival season just around the corner, playing regularly is what keeps the ball rolling for the band. "The Bluegrass Radio show keeps our chops up," Whiteside says. "There's nothing like playing in front of a crowd to tighten you up." V
- VUE Weekly - Edmonton

Donald Teplyske

The Bix Mix Boys presented a strong and noble interpretation of bluegrass as they played for well-over an hour. The concert set allowed the band the time to blend their various influences into a hearty and pleasing sound. This was partly due no doubt to the band’s ability to perform additional songs familiar to the audience in addition to their strong, original material. “My Old Kentucky Home” touched on the roots of bluegrass, while the standard “Harvest Time” was recognized by many.

“Georgia on a Fast Train,” “Travelin’ Tear Drop Blues,” “I Just Saw A Face,” “Did She Mention My Name,” and “Chug-a-Lug” were just some of the tunes presented that the audience seemed to appreciate. Fred Eaglesmith’s “I Shot Your Dog” was another opportunity for the band to display their less-serious side.

But, the Bix Mix Boys also performed a number of intriguing and satisfying originals. “Your Love,” “God’s Greatest Gift,” Ballad of Bill Miner,” and “Quarter Section of Heaven” were all stunning examples of fresh, Alberta bluegrass. “Who Said You Could Have the Truck” appeared to touch a couple nerves!

No matter who was singing - Logan Sarchfield, Darcy Whiteside, or Terry Nadasdi - the vocals were enjoyable. Terry’s voice is entirely unique. Although it contains elements of singers from across the pond- Jon Langford and Pat McGarvey, being but two names that come to mind- I’ve heard nothing like this in an Alberta bluegrass band. And that is a compliment.

Holding down the bottom end was the always amiable Jim Storey.

Darcy handled the bulk of the m.c. chores for the band, never an easy task and one that has sunk more than a few burgeoning professionals. But, his natural and relaxed manner- and deadpan humour- endeared him and his comrades to the Waskasoo audience. “Burning Her Memories” featured Darcy’s most intense
lead vocal as well as nifty flatpicking from Logan and neat mando trills from Terry. The depth of this song, written for and about Darcy’s wife, resonated with the audience.

It was a fine evening of music, light-hearted banter, and food. If you weren’t there, you missed a real good time. Look for all three bands to be appearing at various events around the area and province
- Waskasoo Bluegrass Club

Bluegrass bash with The Bix Mix Boys

11/26/08
BY MARK WEBER
Red Deer Express

Bluegrass fans can relish superb entertainment plus a Christmas dinner at an upcoming fundraising December concert.

Presented by the Waskasoo Bluegrass Music Society, The Bix Mix Boys of Edmonton perform Dec. 2 at the Elks Lodge.

Local groups Caroline Creek and The Barnyard Bluegrass Band are also set to play.

Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with the bands following at 7 p.m.

The Bix Mix Boys started with a group of friends who hooked up via the Edmonton music community.

Jim Storey (upright bass) and Darcy Whiteside (banjo) became well acquainted while playing with bluegrass band Maple Creek.

Guitarist Logan Sarchfield and Terry Nadasdi later signed on and the guys released their self-titled debut disc earlier this year.

Tunes capture plenty of those warm, old-fashioned sensibilities the guys have become known for, but there’s still something fresh, modern and invigorating about their style.

“We very much wanted to create an Alberta project,” explains Whiteside during a recent interview.

“We also wanted to create a sound that has ties to the past but also to the province.”

It was also critical to steer away from ‘over-production’ that tempting option that unfortunately can drain the life right out of a collection of songs.

A band’s unique character can also be diluted if a bunch of studio musicians are brought in – another thing the guys resolutely avoided.

“The goal is if you listen to the disc and then hear us live, you aren’t asking if these are two different groups.”

Ultimately, the project shines with joyful and authentic vitality.

Check out lively tunes such as Your Love fuelled by its tight, exceptional harmonies or the light-hearted charms of Hit the Road.

Their reflective side surfaces beautifully on the gentle tune Burning Her Memories.

Things really fire along with the instrumental Radishes and Gooseberries – another showcase of the singular skills of these guys and how well they ultimately fit together.

As to influences, the guys have just a few including Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Stanley Brothers, Reno and Smiley, Doc Watson, Kentucky Colonels, Muleskinner, The Dreadful Snakes, Lonesome River Band, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and Rhonda Vincent and the Rage.

For The Bix Mix Boys, it’s all about connecting with audiences and passing on a bit of their passion for bluegrass tunes. Whiteside recalls one day jamming with the guys at a farmers’ market, and a woman came up to chat and was immediately impressed with the mandolin.

“That was cool,” chuckles Whiteside at the memory. It was another chance to discuss the inherent charms of bluegrass we well.

Tickets are available from the Red Deer Book Exchange, Parkland Mall service desk, 53rd Street Music and the Key Hole.

Next up for the Waskasoo Bluegrass Music Society is a show by Hungry Hill Feb. 13 and Grasstowne in March. - The Red Deer Express