The Springtails are a Michigan-based band featuring swing-era style vocals and eclectic acoustic instrumentation. Lead vocalist and emerging songwriter, Julianna Wilson, accompanies herself on ukulele or upright bass. Her partner Andy Wilson provides harmony vocals, alternating between harmonicas and cornet with the occasional Irish low whistle. Their current recording features Andy's twin brother Joe Wilson on dobro and Hawaiian guitar. When Joe joins them for live performances he also brings New Orleans style trombone and Sousaphone. The Springtails perform a variety of vaudeville, swing, pop, folk, and original songs.
"Tucked into the patchwork-quilt fabric of Lansing's colorful Eastside, straddling a line between under-the-radar and a few degrees from notoriety, The Springtails, fronted by Julianna Wilson, sounds like a broadcast on an old radio. Boasting a jukebox of catchy heartfelt originals with sweet and saucy covers drawn mainly from the 1920s, 30s, 40s (with a few other decades sprinkled in here and there), Wilson switch-hits between ukulele and an upright bass (named 'Hildy'). She's flanked by Andy and Joe Wilson, each of whom are ninjas on their respective instruments. Andy performs fantastic high-wire moves on a bevy of harmonicas, whistles, and cornet while Joe speaks eloquently through his dobro.
What The Springtails bring to the mix isn't just a clear-eyed revue of an oft overlooked part of the American songbook from the earliest days of recording — they transport that energy through time into the present, where it can now bubble out through airpods and bluetooth speakers. We still have those spring blossoms and we still have the moon. And thanks to this band, we have the homegrown soundtrack too."
~ Peter Richards, April 13, 2024
"Tucked into the patchwork-quilt fabric of Lansing's colorful Eastside, straddling a line between under-the-radar and a few degrees from notoriety, The Springtails, fronted by Julianna Wilson, sounds like a broadcast on an old radio. Boasting a jukebox of catchy heartfelt originals with sweet and saucy covers drawn mainly from the 1920s, 30s, 40s (with a few other decades sprinkled in here and there), Wilson switch-hits between ukulele and an upright bass (named 'Hildy'). She's flanked by Andy and Joe Wilson, each of whom are ninjas on their respective instruments. Andy performs fantastic high-wire moves on a bevy of harmonicas, whistles, and cornet while Joe speaks eloquently through his dobro.
What The Springtails bring to the mix isn't just a clear-eyed revue of an oft overlooked part of the American songbook from the earliest days of recording — they transport that energy through time into the present, where it can now bubble out through airpods and bluetooth speakers. We still have those spring blossoms and we still have the moon. And thanks to this band, we have the homegrown soundtrack too."
~ Peter Richards, April 13, 2024
Photo credits: Matthew Dae Smith, 2025
Upcoming PERFORMANCES
April 2, 2025, 7:00 PM - On The Tracks Songwriter Showcase, Chelsea, MI (double bill with Timothy Monger)
April 12, 2025, 6:30 PM - Ten Pound Fiddle 50th Anniversary Celebration, East Lansing, MI
June 13-15, 2025 - Nor-East'r Music & Art Festival, Mio MI
The Springtails duo set is on SAT/3pm in the Schoolhouse [see also The Badass Women Band (Julianna) FRI/8pm Main stage, The Schrock Bros feat. Peter Madcat Ruth and The Wilson Brothers (Andy & Joe) FRI/11pm Main stage, and Jo Serrapere (with Andy) SAT/6:10pm Main stage]
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM), performing in the Folk DJ Showcase, presented by Matt Watroba (Folk With Matt Watroba WKAR, 90.5 East Lansing, MI), Lisle, IL; also performing at 1:10 AM in the Camp Kerrville private showcase room.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 7:00 PM - The Good Neighbor Concert Series, Lansing, MI (double bill with Kendall Casella) - 10% of ticket sales go to Haven House
April 12, 2025, 6:30 PM - Ten Pound Fiddle 50th Anniversary Celebration, East Lansing, MI
June 13-15, 2025 - Nor-East'r Music & Art Festival, Mio MI
The Springtails duo set is on SAT/3pm in the Schoolhouse [see also The Badass Women Band (Julianna) FRI/8pm Main stage, The Schrock Bros feat. Peter Madcat Ruth and The Wilson Brothers (Andy & Joe) FRI/11pm Main stage, and Jo Serrapere (with Andy) SAT/6:10pm Main stage]
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM), performing in the Folk DJ Showcase, presented by Matt Watroba (Folk With Matt Watroba WKAR, 90.5 East Lansing, MI), Lisle, IL; also performing at 1:10 AM in the Camp Kerrville private showcase room.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 7:00 PM - The Good Neighbor Concert Series, Lansing, MI (double bill with Kendall Casella) - 10% of ticket sales go to Haven House
Recordings
Light of the Moon
2024
Julianna - vocals, ukulele, upright bass Andy - harmonicas, cornet, Irish low whistle, vocals Joe - 6 & 8 string dobros, Hawaiian guitar, vocals |
Rain Or Shine
2016
Julianna - vocals, ukulele Andy - chromatic, diatonic, bass harmonicas, cornet Louis Rudner - double bass Bob Bryan - percussion with special guest Carolyn Koebel - additional percussion on track #5 |
Because WE're In Love
2013
Julianna - vocals, ukulele Andy - chromatic, diatonic, bass harmonicas, cornet Louis Rudner - double bass Bob Bryan - percussion with special guest Jen Sygit - harmony vocals on track #3 |