BIO:

Fog Holler is a bluegrass band with an edge. What gives them that edge is a topic of hot debate. For some, it’s musicianship - these bluegrass cats shred. For others, it’s the songwriting, traditional in style but topical in substance. Sometimes, they undeniably snare people with the squad factor - folks see 4 grown adults in matching monochrome, and they get curious. The secret, according to Fog Holler, is simply that they write and play bluegrass in 2024, with similar intention but very different context from the genre’s originators. Inspired by a range of influences from The Stanley Brothers to Buck Owens to Meshuggah, Fog Holler breathes fresh life into well worn forms like the murder ballad and the power waltz. Described by two-time Grammy Award Winner Cathy Fink as “The next generation of the many shades of grass”, Fog Holler’s captivating tunes and coordinated outfits are quickly enthralling longtime bluegrass fans and newcomers alike. Fog Holler has spread the joy of the high lonesome sound in the U.S., Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, and Ireland, and shared stages with The Brothers Comatose, The Del McCoury Band, Jerry Douglas & The Earls of Leicester, Della Mae, The Po’ Ramblin Boys, The Watkins Family Hour, Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands, and more.

Performance Resume Highlights :

Merlefest — Wilksboro, NC — ‘25

Berkeley Bluegrass Festival at Freight & Salvage — Berkeley, CA — ‘25, ‘24, ‘22, ‘20, ‘18

High Mountain Hay Fever — Westcliffe, CO  — ‘25, ‘24

Wintergrass Showcase — Bellevue, WA — ‘25, ‘24, ‘23

Big Ponderoo — Sisters, OR — ‘24

Bridgetown Bluegrass Festival — Portland, OR — ‘24, ‘22

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival — Oak Hill, NY  — ‘23

Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival — Rotterdam, Netherlands  — ‘23

Westport Bluegrass and Folk Festival — Westport, Ireland — ‘23

IBMA Bluegrass Ramble — Raleigh, NC  — ‘22

Descend on Bend — Bend, OR — ‘22

Bluegrass Day at Green Music Center — Rohnert Park, CA — ‘21

Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival — Las Vegas, NV — ‘21

CBA’s Fathers Day Festival — Grass Valley, CA — ‘19

PRESS:

“Their twists and turns had me smiling for their entire set. I have now seen them several times… and I continue to love them and their approach to their art with one foot in the past and one in the future… a band like no other in the world of bluegrass.” — Ken Irwin, Rounder Records (Founder)

“I love Fog Holler. They aren’t afraid to tear it up bluegrass style, or make their own kind of old time music with clawhammer banjo and bowed bass. The next generation of the many shades of grass is here and I hope you give them a good listen! You’ll love it.” — Cathy Fink, GRAMMY Award Winner

“I have watched this band grow, mature, and deepen since the time, some years ago, when I was stopped in my tracks at the Berkeley Farmers' Market by two guys singing with a banjo and guitar. I liked them then, and I love them now.”  — Laurie Lewis, GRAMMY Award Winner

“…one of the most exciting bluegrass bands from the west coast of the US…” — Ciara Moynihan, Mayo Live

“To say that Fog Holler is mysterious is apropos, and ambiguous explanations work fine for banjoist Casey Holmberg, guitarist Tommy Schulz, and bass fiddler Noa Laniakea, but their love of Bluegrass and traditional American music is no mystery. Promoting themselves as 'a spectral band that channel the spirits of bluegrass past and future' has brought Fog Holler to the forefront of the San Francisco Bay scene and beyond.” — Bluegrass Standard

“Fog Holler has created a wonderful EP of original Bay Area acoustic music. The five originals, including two instrumentals, allow each member to shine but still retain a sound that is uniquely their own. They strike a nice balance between bluegrass, ragtime and folk and use the somewhat unusual trio of bass, guitar and banjo to their advantage. “The Poison Voice” and “Under the Light of the Moon” are particularly strong as a hard driving bluegrass tune and a lovely instrumental waltz that features beautiful bowed bass.” — Jacob Groopman, Front Country

STREAMING:

Spotify Bandcamp

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook Instagram Youtube TikTok

VIDEO:

PHOTOS:

All photos by Kianna Mott-Smith

Discography