The Historic Pearl Theater welcomes The Sweet Lillies to the stage for the first time at 7 p.m. Sunday, January 14! The Sweet Lillies’ music is, first and foremost, heartfelt and collaborative. Those defining traits are given life by the quartet of musicians who make up the Lillies, Julie Gussaroff, Upright Bass, Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Becca Bisque, Viola, Vocals, Percussion, Dustin Rohleder, Guitar, Vocals, and Jones Maynard, drums. Together they have combined their individual strengths to deliver powerful narratives of life in song.
The Sweet Lillies were born from Gussaroff’s desire to form a band in which each member would be an equal participant in terms of songwriting, singing, and creative input. After years of accompanying other artists, serving as a side player, and writing songs for others, multi-instrumentalist and classical trained vocalist Gussaroff wanted to establish a true musical-collective that would highlight the best qualities of all involved. In 2014 Gussaroff met Bisque, who was a classically trained violist. The two found an immediate and deep musical connection and The Sweet Lillies were born.
In 2017, at a campground jam at the Hangtown Ball, they heard guitarist Rohleder. That night the three played for what they remembered as “ten magical hours.” The following year, in 2018, Rohleder joined The Sweet Lillies full-time. Most recently, Jones Maynard has come on board on drums, completing Gussaroff’s vision.
The Sweet Lillies have incorporated all of their cumulative life-experiences into their music, their songwriting, and their artistry, crafting an uncommonly-beautiful style they have christened “String-Americana” – a nod to the band’s all-encompassing musical tastes and willingness to experiment with genres.
As Gussaroff explains, “Some musicians learn from teachers, some learn from family members, and some are self-taught. Some musicians are classically trained, some come up through folk, some draw from multiple springs, from hip hop through pop to bebop. In the Lillies’ all of these skill sets are valuable, relevant, and appreciated.”
Nonrefundable will-call advance tickets are $12 online or $15 at the door. Doors and the Pearl Cafe open at 6:30 p.m. The Pearl Theater is located at 7160 Ash Street, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. To learn more, visit www.thehistoricpearltheater.org or call (208) 610-2846.