ON THE TRAIL – AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT & INTERVIEW
By Ralph Beauchamp
On The Trail has developed a sound that is quite unique. Using a base of traditional bluegrass, the ensemble integrates wonderful flourishes of pop, folk and other contemporary genres in order to create music that is modern and singular. Rather than treating tradition as a limitation, On The Trail expands their music with expressive orchestration and dynamic aural harmonies. Their creative songwriting and vocal styling makes their sound feel both universal and timeless.
On The Trail is composed of Austin Scelzo (Fiddle/Vocals), Tom Polizzi (Mandolin/Vocals), current CT State Troubadour, Charlie Widmer (Guitar/Vocals) and Matt Curley (Upright Bass/Vocals}. Following breakthrough nods as the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Champions and as 2023 Grey Fox Emerging Artists, the band has accelerated their momentum—playing internationally in Canada, shows across the US, and climbing to #3 on the Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction Top 100 charts with their song “What Do I Need With Love.
A defining characteristic of On The Trail is their emphasis on vocal harmony and astute songwriting. Their original songs pair emotional resonant lyrics with creative melodies and superb instrumental arrangements. Each member of the band is truly an accomplished master on his instrument. Yet, On The Trail‘s wonderful musicianship never overshadows their music. They use their technical skills to embellish their tunes with glorious inflections. Their songs sincerely captures the hearts of their listeners with all the alluring textures they let loose.
On The Trail will be performing at this year’s Black Bear Music Festival being held on 8/14-8/16 at he Harwinton Fairgrounds. Tickets are available on the Black Bear Music Festival website.
Charlie Widmer was kind enough to sit with AMP for this interview.
AMP: Your music blends traditional bluegrass with contemporary folk and pop influences. How do you decide where to draw the line between honoring tradition and exploring something new?
CW: This is not something we keep consistently front and center but is part of our natural process. We always want to honor the tradition of the genre where we can, but we also want to stay true to our individual musical influences and voices. Each case is different and calls for a unique approach every time, so we trust our own personal taste and work together to find the collective balance that is On the Trail.
AMP: Your album, Where Do We From Here, feels like a collection of different songwriting voices. How did each member’ musical background shape the final sound?
CW: For me as a singer and someone who has an extensive theater background, it’s always rooted in what we’re trying to say or convey emotionally, and then trying to do so with as much precision and craft as we can muster. I know I want every performance of a piece to be as close to perfect as I can get it, much like a live show, and I want my songs to hit deeply like any good opera or musical number.
AMP: When you’re arranging a song, what usually comes first – the melody, the harmonies, or the instrumental interplay?
CW: I’d say it has to be the melody, from instrumentals to songs with lyrics. All of us start with that as the foundation and let it grow, either into a fiddle tune or something new for us to sing.
AMP: The vocal harmonies are a defining part of your music. How much of that develops naturally versus being carefully arranged?
CW: We all have extensive backgrounds in music theory and harmony, so finding the right parts is almost a bit of second nature for all of us. Especially since Austin and I have sung together for so long, it tends to come together naturally as we can just trust our ear and tweak where needed.
AMP: Are there artists outside of bluegrass whose influence on your music may surprise your listeners?
CW: Absolutely! I’m a huge Stevie Wonder fan first and foremost, still chase after the vocal prowess of Luciano Pavarotti, and am heavily influenced by rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, pre-crazy Kanye West, Common, singer/songwriters like Allen Stone, Theo Katzman, Freddie Mercury, and the list could go on endlessly.
AMP: You will be performing at this year’s Black Bear Music Fest. How eventful is the festival for the band and the attendees?
CW: This is our first year performing at Black Bear, so we’ve got sets in a multitude of setups throughout the weekend, from solo performances, to workshops, and of course the On the Trail Sunday set. We can’t wait!
AMP: Is there something audience experience at an On the Trail concert that you feel can’t be captured on a studio recording?
CW: The magic of the moment and how much we truly love sharing the space together as a band and also with the audience. The joy we feel making music together as four best friends is real and we just love getting lost in the music together.
AMP: Your live shows feature impressive instrumental musicianship. How much room do you leave for improvisation each night?
CW: Believe it or not, every solo is completely improvised. Almost every song on our set has a space for solos, per the tradition of bluegrass, and every song has room for spontaneity.
AMP: On a personal note, the band balances performing, teaching and advocating for bluegrass in Connecticut. How do those different roles influence one another?
CW: Every performance calls for teaching moments as the genre, though growing, is still not well known. That translates to the work we do as teachers and advocates, and each of us carries a different mission overall. My personal one is rooted more in songwriting and singing, and each one of us is working on these goals both individually and collectively.
AMP: What musical territory haven’t you explored yet that you’d like to?
CW: Finding a way to bridge a little opera and bluegrass, but the time will certainly come!
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