John Pickering
John played trombone in elementary school, and after a brief flirtation with the french horn, committed to the bass guitar. The influence of GnR and Slash was too strong though, and he picked up the guitar and a bottle of Jack Daniels at 15.
John has toyed with the idea of hooking up with Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante, Jake Thackray, Flight of the Conchords, Led Zepplin, and Ween.
Lesley Bartlett
Les is able to play a number of instruments, but left the woodwinds behind for amplification. She graduated from music college in Sydney with a degree in contemporary guitar before coming to Japan 11 years ago, and played for a couple of years with the wild flowers* from Toyohashi.
Les is all about Victor Wooten, Phish, Ani Difranco, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Dolly Parton, Charlie Parker, Rage Against The Machine, and Miles Davis.
Kazuya Kato
Kaz was more interested in creating with his hands than he was in music as a child, but started playing at 10 years old, influenced by his father, who plays percussion in his own band. Kaz lives for jazz andFfinland, and can play everything from disco to Rage to Dolly to bossa without hesitation.
Bryony Ollier
Bry started violin lessons at 4, but was scared away by the Suzuki Method (let that be a lesson to you all)... she hid her jewel of a voice for 2 decades before singing for the first time here in Japan 3 years ago. John and Bry came to Japan 6 years ago, and John played guitar and bass and Bry sang with a band here in Nagoya.
Bry hangs out with Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Ego-Wrappin', Emmylou Harris, and Over The Rhine.
Coleen Wickdahl
Col, also a trombone hack, had learned old-time fiddle from her grandpa when she was 8 and had a tendency to grab any instrument within arm's reach to try and plunk out a tune on it. She met les in nagano 5 years ago.
Col drinks ume chu-hi's with Nathan, Erin McKeown, The Duhks, Romi Mayes, Be Good Tanyas, Xavier Rudd, Tegan & Sara, Crooked Still, and Bela Fleck & The Flecktones.