“I had gotten to know the members of Bearfoot on the road and we became friends,” Jorgensen said. “It’s been really great. They’ve obviously had a lot of experience and they’re all incredible musicians and soloists as well as great accompanists. We think of it more as a band. It’s not me and my backup musicians. Even though I’m the lead singer, it’s still very much a band. We all have equal responsibilities, we just have different roles.”
Jorgensen was with The Biscuit Burners for four years, so she has bluegrass experience, but her background and musical taste leans more toward rock. It was these two extremes that made her a perfect fit for an unconventional traditional acoustic act like Bearfoot.
“I didn’t grow up playing bluegrass at all,” Jorgensen said. “I don’t even play bluegrass. I’ve always been more of a songwriter, so aside from not having a banjo player, we like to think of ourselves as more of a modern string band than anything else.”
That approach is evident on Bearfoot’s latest album, “Doors and Windows.” The eclectic album ranges from the dark European folk flavor of the title track and a cover of The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” to down-home ditties like “Single Girl.”
“We’re trying to broaden our horizons musically,” Jorgensen said. “My musical influences are like Radiohead, Phoenix, Beck and all these crazy things. We all listen to different stuff, but I also love old-time music. I play old-time fiddle. Angela likes country and old rock ’n’ roll.”
According to Jorgensen, the next album, which she and her band mates hope to begin later this year, will continue to push the boundaries of bluegrass music.
“Our goal with new material is to really make our songs good,” she said. “We want every tune we play to say something. It doesn’t have to necessarily fit into a formula, we’re just trying to make good music. Think outside the box has been our MO lately. It’s been cool. We’ve been coming up with some really fun stuff.”
How to go
Who: Bearfoot opening for Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
Where: Kuss Auditorium, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16
Cost: $15-$40
More info: (866) 722-8587 or http://pac.clarkstate.edu
Artist info: www.bearfootband.com
Contact contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
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