The Dangling Participles

Headliner - Debutants Formed by longtime friends, Lynn Nicholson and Jon Swain, Debutants have evolved into a formidable string band with eclectic influences ranging from traditional folk, bluegrass, and Irish music, to classic and indie rock, rockabilly, jam bands, and anything else they feel like playing. Regardless of genre, what always manages to come through loud and clear, whether in-studio or on stage, is the amount of fun they’re having playing together, and the vibrant life breathed into their music. Nicholson and Swain share the role of lead singer/songwriter for the group, with much collaboration in each song’s development. On their 2021 debut release, Indiana Newgrass – EP, Debutants went into the studio with banjoist Michael Earl Newsome, fiddle player Sean Hoffman (Goldmine Pickers, The Goat’s Beards, Soltré), and bassist/vocalist Colin Taylor (Uncle Muscle, Hillbilly Casino). Also highly instrumental in capturing their original sound, was recording engineer and producer Tyler Thompson (Fruition, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, Jay Cobb Anderson) at his Studio 110 in Pittsburgh, PA. For their 2022 sophomore release, Nobody Knows – EP, the band unquestionably returned to Thompson’s Studio 110, this time bringing Lauren Blair on fiddle/vocals, and Ellen Coplin on cello/vocals. Their songwriting growth became evident on titles such as Nicholson’s ‘Hard to Say’, along with increases in tempos and instrumental prowess demonstrated on pieces like Swain’s ‘Never Thought I’d Be the One’. Opener - The Dangling Participles The Dangling Participles are a Lansing-based band with a diverse song set ranging from indie folk and Americana to jazz and pop. The band’s soulful vocals—shared by Tamiko Rothhorn and Austin Kaufmann—give the group its signature sound, rich in harmonies. Instrumentally, Kaufmann anchors the group on guitar, with Tamiko adding cornet and ukulele. Tim Patterson fills out the low end on bass and adds backing vocals. Dan Moreno rounds out the rhythm section on drums. The band has been performing genre-hopping originals and covers throughout mid-Michigan since 2015. The Dang Ps (as their fans call them) pair their love for songwriting, harmonizing, and arranging with a lively on-stage experience. The quartet of Kaufmann, Rothhorn, Patterson, and Moreno has been together since 2017. In 2022, The Dangling Participles won the Lansing City Pulse newspaper's "Top of the Town" award for Best Folk Artist/Band. They released their first full-length album, Present, in 2018. Local Spins website album reviewer Ricky Olmos (Grand Rapids) writes: “The Dangling Participles’ Present evokes sonic images of crowded back-alley speakeasies, smoky blues bars and exotic, faraway lands. At its heart, Present is a genre-spanning body of work, with an inclination toward acoustic-inspired songs.” In December of 2022, the band released its sophomore album One More Drop. Of this new album, music journalist Lori Stratton (Ann Arbor) writes: “The Dangling Participles thoughtfully demonstrate authenticity throughout the 12 tracks on One More Drop, which features storied lyrics, infectious multi-part harmonies and vibrant folk-jazz instrumentation.” And in his album review for the Local Spins website (Grand Rapids), reviewer Dutcher Snedeker writes, “[L]istening to this record feels like a burst of dopamine.” Dinner and drink menus are available. Reserved seating available.