Green Mountain Bluegrass And Roots Artist Interview: Rachel Baiman (10 String Symphony)

Earlier this week we took a look at 3 different artists talking about all things Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots. Well, we now again talk to an artist performing at the festival next week for a quickfire of interview questions pertaining to the festival, the artists playing, the atmosphere and the community surrounding it all.

Here is our catch up with Rachel Baiman from 10 String Symphony. They perform on Saturday at 12:05 PM on the main stage. Read on.

RLR: I feel like it’s fairly obvious that a huge goal of GMBR is this community centric, locally sourced mentality. From putting local Vermont artists on stages next to nationally touring juggernauts to the food trucks to the sound folks to (of course) local beer. In terms of your own band’s mentality how important is fostering that sense of community where you come from and being able to bring it to Manchester for the festival?

RB: As indie touring musicians, community is our lifeblood! Many of the artists playing at GMBR are friends that we’ve turned to for housing on the road, for gig contacts, for friendship and encouragement, and for musical inspiration. Without community, doing what we do would be impossible. I’m thrilled to see the amazing lineup that GMBR has curated and the way that they are implementing it into the local community of Vermont.

RLR: In that same vein, who are you most excited to connect with at Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots? Some old friends from the road you haven’t seen in a bit? Someone you can’t wait to pick around the campground with?

RB: Gosh- SO many folks. Mandolin Orange are great friends. Both Christian and I (Rachel), have both done recording projects with Andrew, Josh, and Emily, and Andrew is always looking for a jam. We ran into them recently at the Winnipeg Folk festival and had a great trailer jam. Mipso are great friends with whom we will be sharing some shows this fall.

Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle are good Nashville pals with whom we’ve both collaborated, I got to play strings on Molly’s upcoming album and Christian plays with both artists live frequently. I could go on! Eli West will be playing a Seattle show with us in September, the Goodbye Girls and Lonely Heartstring Band are all close friends– it basically feels like a reunion!

RLR: How about the dream collaboration that you hope takes shape on a stage during GMBR?

RB: Let’s hear Eli West, Alison de Groot and Molly Tuttle and Rayna Gellert jam an old time tune!

RLR: There will be a plethora of brews, food and vendors on site…so, what is your favorite Vermont thing to eat or drink…or wear or burn or etc, etc, etc?

RB: I spent many christmases in Vermont because my mom has family there. I always associate it with amazing cheese and crackers, and most of all maple syrup. I’ll be on the lookout for some pancakes.

RLR: For the next two questions I am going to steal a page from some other artist’s book. First: Langhorne Slim recently did a Twitter blast where he would just post “best song ever”…which is of course completely subjective (as music and art are) and kind of ludicrous to proclaim. Nevertheless, looking at this line up and culling from their catalogue of tunes: what is the best song ever that you think we might hear during the weekend?

RB: I’ve always been a huge fan of Mandolin Orange’s “Blue Ruin”, and I also love Mipso’s “My Burden With Me” and “ People Change”.

RLR: Getting away from festy-centric questions I am going to steal a question Joe Pug asks folks on The Working Songwriter. If you have the perfect day to write, what does that day look like? Time of day, the place you are writing, what are you drinking or eating?

RB: For me it’s spontaneity, it doesn’t matter where or when, but rather that the inspiration strikes. I’ve written in the car, in the middle of the night, early morning, whenever. It helps to have a willing and enthusiastic collaborator, even if that collaborator is yourself giving positive affirmation haha.

RLR: Where are you before the festival…and where can folks catch you on the road following GMBR?

RB: We will be around the Northeast! You can catch us at:

Rockwood Music Hall New York, NY Aug 15 Club Passim Cambridge, MA Aug 16

Caffe Lena Saratoga Springs, NY Aug 19th