APRI L 2 0 1 7 I BOROMAG.COM 23 Wild Magnolia Wild Magnolia is a six-piece multicultural bluegrass band based in Queens. How did Wild Magnolia’s Rebecca Aparicio (vocals, washboard) and husband Stephen Elkins (vocals, guitar) meet their band mates? “Craigslist! No, seriously we met on Craigslist,” Elkins explained. “Growing up in Alabama, I used to play bluegrass with my dad and older folks out on the porch in the summers. I really missed that in NYC, so when asked to program a concert for church — I thought, ‘Let’s do a bluegrass concert!’ So, I put out a notice and lucked out with Sana Nagano (fiddle) and a mandolin player who recommended Cesar Moreno (mandolin, vocals).” As card-carrying Queens natives, we of course had to ask the band how the hood influences their scene and sound. “Being Queens-based has really shaped our band in so many ways,” Elkins said. “There’s a genuine appreciation for music in Queens that is truly unique. Especially in Astoria, there’s such a vibrant music scene and a supportive community of musicians. Our very first gig at the Bonnie led to a spring residency there which led to a Monday night residency at Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails in Manhattan.” You can catch them at Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails (367 Third Ave.) every Monday at 8 p.m. With members hailing from Poland, Japan, Alabama and Connecticut all coming together, we asked if there was any drama around songwriting. Elkins assured us there is not. “Surprisingly, we actually don’t have any drama — knock on wood, I don’t want to jinx it! We are all incredibly supportive of each other,” he said. “We are all individual songwriters, so it’s awesome to bring a song to the band and have five other people help shape the song with their own interpretations and support.” Like the timely bloom of the magnolia tree in April, Wild Magnolia will be working on, and performing, all new material in the upcoming spring. The band just had its first-year anniversary, and the band members are focused on pushing themselves out of their comfort zone in the upcoming months. We at BORO look forward to seeing and hearing what that will entail. FACEBOOK: WILDMAGNOLIABAND WILDMAGNOLIAMUSIC.COM Photo by Jessica Norwood What does the band think of their western Queens base? “It is a special place,” D’Agostino said. “There are a lot of emotions in this neighborhood for us. It has been a great place to collaborate and work together.” Begley adds, “We were proud to record our latest EP, ‘Interchanges,’ at the Buddy Project here in Astoria.” With recent shows at Arlene’s Grocery, Bar Matchless and Gussy’s, look out for the band as they continue to play some local shows soon. SOUNDCLOUD: FAREWELLGUSTO FACEBOOK: FAREWELLGUSTO Photo credit: Patrick Merino Photo by Helen Lee
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