Fireside Collective wsg The Rollin' Rust

Guthrie Bell Productions & Lark Hall present Fireside Collective on Saturday, December 12. Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM.

Inspired by the burgeoning art scene, close-knit community, and natural beauty of Asheville, North Carolina, newgrass-turned-eclectic jam band Fireside Collective has spent a decade working toward this pinnacle. Original band members Joe Cicero (guitar), Jesse Iaquinto (mandolin), Tommy Maher (resonator guitar), and Carson White (bass) began playing together in 2014, when Iaquinto gathered the group of bluegrass enthusiasts to back up some of his original songwriting.

The band initially hoped to combine bluegrass, folk, and acoustic music, with a focus on original songs and compositions. A few years in, they took a deeper dive into bluegrass and newgrass, inspired by Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, and Bela Fleck. Fireside Collective toured the bluegrass circuit, played festivals, and attended the IBMA conference and awards shows. They won the 2016 band contest at MerleFest and reached #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts with their 2020 release, “Elements.”

The Covid pandemic gave the band a chance to stop, reflect, and move forward with intention. When they began touring again, Fireside drew inspiration from jambands like The Grateful Dead, the group’s agreed-upon North Star. Their shows featured more improvisation, changing setlists, and longer musical movements. With the introduction of drummer Michael Tillis in late 2023, their sound expanded to include funk, classic rock, techno, and world music. By the end of 2024, Fireside Collective had become a hybrid with a foundation in bluegrass and folk, blended with rock ’n’ roll and funk.

Iaquinto, Cicero, and Maher all contribute original music. Iaquinto says the band hopes listeners can enjoy the music on different levels, from a party environment to philosophical introspection. “I draw a lot of influence from Robert Hunter, Bob Dylan and the Beatles,” he says. “I hope to write songs that provide comfort and warmth to the listener while giving them a chance to look deeper if they wish.”

• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Under 18 admitted with a parent or legal guardian
• In person
• Free parking
• No refunds