Jon Stickley Trio - Lost at Last (2015)

“At the unlikely intersection of Bluegrass, Jazz and Punk lies the Jon Stickley Trio. A true fusion of American music, this virtuosic trio exploded onto the landscape, leaving listeners scratching their heads, wondering what exactly it was they were hearing, and desperate for the next song to begin. For their second record, Lost at Last, JS3 has, like an open-wheel, open cockpit-race car, abandoned anything frivolous or unnecessary, and this stripped-down, streamlined JS3 is built for speed, dangerous as hell, and irresistible.” --Travis Book, The Infamous Stringdusters

Lost at Last was recorded in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC at the iconic Echo Mountain Studios under the watchful eye of producer Dave King (The Bad Plus). While recording the album, King referred to the band’s imaginative sound as “this whole other thing.” King’s creative energy and inspired musical approach led the band deeper and deeper into the heart of their musical consciousness, which led to the solidification of their musical identity.

Fan-funded through Kickstarter , Lost at Last features eleven tracks including six original tunes. It opens with ” Point-to-Point,” a song that could sum up the Trio’s personality, ranging from delicate syncopated pizzicato interplay to a powerful electo-rock climax featuring Jon’s distinctive flat-picking style. “Darth Radar” is already a crowd favorite at the Trio’s live shows; it was originally inspired by the modern dubstep artists, Skrillex and deadmau5, but over time has settled into an upbeat groove, with elements of ska and the fleet single string tremolo one might hear from Dick Dale, and other surf guitar gods. “Rice Dream,” is Jon’s subtle prayer for Tony Rice, who is one of his biggest musical influences. The song highlights Jon’s nimble picking style and soft harmonic chimes as well as the haunting beauty of Lyndsay’s violin.

Other tracks include the hypnotically enchanting “Goa,” penned by Pruett on the shores of the Indian Ocean, the cinematic and neoclassical “Octapickin,” in which Pruett's beautiful string arrangements and improvisations take the listener through an emotional dreamscape, and the relaxing and poetic “Pamlico Sound.”

Lost at Last features a handful of covers including The Bad Plus’ “Never Stop”, Tim O’Brien’s “The High Road,” set to a grooving half time feel and break beat reprise, held down by Patrick Armitage on the drums. L ost at Last also features a ‘Stickley” version of Strength in Numbers’ “Slopes” (written by Bela Fleck, Mark O'Connor). The record also includes a traditional gypsy jazz waltz, “ Valse de Wasso,” and ends with “Flight of the Durban,” penned by Stickley’s longtime friend Leftover Salmon’s banjo ripper Andy Thorn.

This virtuosic band’s experimental compositions are not easily confined, yet remain true to the players’ musical roots lending to an accessible and danceable sound. "The inspiration of blending the rhythmic, fast-paced techniques of bluegrass with songs from the other end of the musical spectrum led to the formation of Stickley's eponymous trio," writes Alli Marshall with Asheville’s Mountain Xpress. Through the recording of Lost at Last, the band has honed their fiery, yet sensitive sound to create something that is uniquely the Jon Stickley Trio.