With just a guitar, banjo and fiddle, a bluegrass band can seem deceptively simple.
But one member of the band headlining this year's 17th Annual Bluegrass Festival says that together, those elements create something intangible and special.
"When you see it live, the interplay and interaction... the chemistry between all the players, the voices and the instruments...the sum is much greater than the individual parts," said Jamie Proctor, who sings and plays banjo and guitar in the Stardust Stringband.
"It's hard to capture that energy without being there in person."
It's a live energy that he says drew him to this music in the first place.
The band will be featuring the talents of Proctor; Sarah Clements on fiddle; Dan Kovacek on mandolin and guitar; and Bert Clarke on bull fiddle.
All members of the Vancouver-based band sing.
That'll be a key part of their performance, as Proctor promises that soaring vocal harmonies will be a major highlight.
"I think vocal harmony is... one of the things that drew me to this genre in the first place, and we try to focus on our harmonies... make that a centrepiece of the show," said Proctor.
Almost all of the songs that will be played will be traditional songs, he said, though the band will be throwing a few originals into the mix.
The group specializes in bluegrass, as well as other old-time genres, such as honky-tonk.
For organizer Cam Salay, his fondest memories of the event are when collaborations happen.
"An encore happens where both bands get up there and... get to meet each other," said Salay. "They create a bit of a friendship."
A theatre and a stage is a pretty big deal for these kinds of bands, he said, noting that many of them generally play in pubs where hardly anyone's listening.
"Once the main band gets going, and the dance floor's full, that's kind of my favourite time," he said.
Before the performance, Stardust Stringband will be hosting a workshop for musicians of all skill levels to hone their craft.
The group will be placing special emphasis on teaching vocal harmonies. Participants are expected to bring their own instruments. It begins at 3 p.m. for a nominal fee.
Opening for Stardust will be Omie Wise, a trio from Victoria that play country, folk, and old-timey music.
The Bluegrass Fest takes place on May 4 at 8 p.m. at the Brackendale Art Gallery. Tickets at XOCO and the BAG.
