The Lonesome Trio

Twenty years ago, in the rolling plains of northern Ohio, a strange and fortuitous gathering occurred. Ed Helms, Ian Riggs, and Jacob Tilove, then students at Oberlin College, were drawn together by a mutual love of fine whiskey and bluegrass. In short order, music was happening. With Riggs on bass, Helms on guitar, Tilove on mandolin and all three melodically shouting, a distinctive musical voice took shape. Soon other friends joined up on all manner of banjos and fiddles and a loose-knit ensemble called Weedkiller was born. They played back porches, front yards, and basement keg parties all over Oberlin for a few great years, but when college ended, so did Weedkiller. As the universe would have it, Ed, Jake, and Ian all landed in New York City to pursue their individual hare-brained passions of comedy, architectural history, and jazz bass studies respectively. City life was exciting and chaotic, but their friendship and musical bond endured, and their regular, informal jam sessions kept everyone’s feet on the ground. Over time those informal sessions became songwriting sessions and even a casual recording session or two. Soon invitations rolled in to play at a friend’s party or a cousin’s wedding and before they knew it, The Lonesome Trio was a fixture on the NYC bluegrass scene, playing regular shows at the Parkside Lounge, Rockwood Music Hall, and other depraved haunts of the old-time crowd. Despite active careers in various fields, The Lonesome Trio soldiered on, a constant in the topsy-turvy lives of its dedicated members. The particular sound and voice of The Lonesome Trio might be described as rootsy, bluegrass-ish, Americana, or even a little bit cowboy. But a more accurate description might be the peculiar mind meld of three old friends who’ve been through 20 years of life, love, loss and laughter together, working it all out through raw and honest acoustic music.