Black Prairie is a six-piece string band from Portland, Oregon. The band formed in early 2007. Their first album, Feast of the Hunter's Moon, was released on April 6, 2010, on the Sugar Hill label.

History

The band began when The Decemberists' Chris Funk (dobro) and Nate Query (bass) had some time off from touring and decided to put together a side project. Other members of the band include The Decemberists' accordion player Jenny Conlee and drummer John Moen, singer and violinist Annalisa Tornfelt of Bearfoot and The Woolwines, and guitarist Jon Neufeld of Dolorean and Jackstraw.

The band performed at the South by Southwest festival in March 2010, Oregon's Pickathon Festival in August 2010, and toured in October 2010.

Influences

Their musical influences include bluegrass, klezmer, jazz, tango, and Romanian music resulting in a unique sound. Chris Funk says Black Prairie's sound "bridges the music of Clarence White and Ennio Morricone".

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak positions
US Bluegrass
Feast of the Hunter's MoonRelease date: April 13, 2010 Label: Sugar Hill Records4
The Storm in the BarnRelease date: April 24, 2012 Label: self-released
A Tear in the Eye Is a Wound in the HeartRelease date: September 18, 2012 Label: Sugar Hill Records4
Wild OnesRelease date: May 14, 2013 Label: Captain Bluegrass
FortuneRelease date: April 22, 2014 Label: Sugar Hill Records
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

YearVideoDirector
2012"Nowhere, Massachusetts"Jason Roark
2014"Let It Out"

External links