Andru Bemis
Encyclopedia
Andru Bemis is an American musician from New Mexico
, currently living in South Haven, Michigan
. He performs on the banjo
, violin
, guitar
and banjo-ukulele (which he calls a "banjolele"). Bemis lives a minimalist lifestyle, and is known for engaging audiences in live shows throughout the United States, touring by train, public transportation, and hitchhiking
.
Bemis has released three solo albums: "Plays Past His Bedtime" (2002; Ground Vinyl Records), "Singer" (2004; Ground Vinyl Records), and "Rail To Reel" (2006; Wepecket Island Records). He has collaborated on albums with Jason Webley
("How Big Is Tacoma/Cereal At Night" - Eleven Records), Trent Wagler & Jay Lapp ("Adrienna Valentine"), and Rachel Ries ("For You Only" - Waterbug Records
).
Since 2007, Bemis has operated Foundry Hall, a non-profit, all-ages community center and performance venue in South Haven, Michigan.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, currently living in South Haven, Michigan
South Haven, Michigan
South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
. He performs on the banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and banjo-ukulele (which he calls a "banjolele"). Bemis lives a minimalist lifestyle, and is known for engaging audiences in live shows throughout the United States, touring by train, public transportation, and hitchhiking
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a means of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride in their automobile or other road vehicle to travel a distance that may either be short or long...
.
Bemis has released three solo albums: "Plays Past His Bedtime" (2002; Ground Vinyl Records), "Singer" (2004; Ground Vinyl Records), and "Rail To Reel" (2006; Wepecket Island Records). He has collaborated on albums with Jason Webley
Jason Webley
Jason Webley is an American musician known for his fusion of folk, experimental and alternative music. He began as a busker, playing accordion in the streets of Seattle, Washington, but has since moved in-doors and on stage, playing various venues....
("How Big Is Tacoma/Cereal At Night" - Eleven Records), Trent Wagler & Jay Lapp ("Adrienna Valentine"), and Rachel Ries ("For You Only" - Waterbug Records
Waterbug Records
Waterbug Records is a small independent record label based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois specializing in singer-songwriters and traditional folk musicians who do original research. The label was founded as an artist cooperative label in 1992 by singer-songwriter Andrew Calhoun. Calhoun described the...
).
Since 2007, Bemis has operated Foundry Hall, a non-profit, all-ages community center and performance venue in South Haven, Michigan.