Every week we like to catch up with bands who are making moves getting sweet gigs on our site. Last week we got in touch with The Black Lillies, with front man Cruz Contreras. Since coming together these Americana fiddlers have traveled and picked their way around the country including playing Bonnaroo, The Grand Ole Opry and The Americana Music Festival.What’s it like being a band in Knoxville? Is it a better city for bands or is it more difficult to make waves?
Knoxville has been the perfect environment for a band like The Black Lillies. This city is the "heart" of Appalachian music, but it also has a very diverse music scene. Jazz to bluegrass, country, punk, hard rock - you name it - East Tennesseans love music! It seems like everybody has their own venue or festival or band. The local scene is a bit of an island in regards to the "music industry" which really makes it a paradise, to be honest. I love that there are so few emulators here; instead everyone focuses on creating their own thing! You can make waves from anywhere nowadays, it just might take a little longer for them to get noticed when they're originating from an island.
What has been your favorite gig to date?
Favorite gig to date? Well...there's been some we're REAL proud of, we love travelling out west, Colorado, the Northwest Pickathon is a premiere festival, as is Bristol Rhythm and Roots back home, Four Corners Folk Fest, Bonnaroo....festivals rock. There is one gig that stands alone though: our debut this past year at The Grand Ole Opry - nerve racking and mind blowing all at once. It's the sort of thing you can tell your grandkid about and they'll just nod their head because they know you got to be part of something real special. (I'm not a grandpa...for the record.)
I saw that you were selected to play the Americana Music Festival. How’d it go?
The Americana Music Festival was great. This was our second year there, and we were selected via Sonicbids both times. This year, we played The Station Inn on Friday night, one of the finest bluegrass joints in the land, incidentally right after playing the Opry for the second time. Not a bad night in Nashville!
What advice would you give artists who are trying to break into the Americana scene?
Make your own path. Create, write, dig deep, and be dedicated. There's been Americana music long before there was a label for it. Don't consciously break into any scene...make your own.
What’s up next for The Black Lillies in 2012?
First, hoping to get out of the Lincoln Tunnel. Drank a coffee over an hour ago and we're stuck in rush hour. (Doing this interview from a so-called smart phone-and I'm definitely nauseous!). So better keep it brief. Going to play as many gigs as possible, rock peoples faces off, record a new album, make a new video, and enjoy this crazy ride!
