The Springtails are a Michigan-based band featuring swing-era style vocals and eclectic acoustic instrumentation. Vocalist and songwriter, Julianna Wilson, accompanies herself on ukulele or upright bass. Her partner and multi-instrumentalist, Andy Wilson provides harmony vocals, harmonicas and cornet.
"Listen to The Springtails. The writing, the virtuosity, the charm -- it is unique and infectious." - Matt Watroba, WKAR, East Lansing, MI; November 30, 2025
"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 sound 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), Julianna switch-hits between ukulele and an upright bass named 'Hildy' and Andy performs fantastic high-wire moves on a bevy of harmonicas, whistles, and cornet. 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, Lansing, MI; April 13, 2024
"Listen to The Springtails. The writing, the virtuosity, the charm -- it is unique and infectious." - Matt Watroba, WKAR, East Lansing, MI; November 30, 2025
"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 sound 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), Julianna switch-hits between ukulele and an upright bass named 'Hildy' and Andy performs fantastic high-wire moves on a bevy of harmonicas, whistles, and cornet. 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, Lansing, MI; April 13, 2024
Photo credits: Matthew Dae Smith, 2025
2026 PERFORMANCES
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 2:00 PM - 16th Pumpstock Festival 2026 at the Bailey Park, 300 Bailey St, East Lansing, MI
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair - free entry, donations welcome
August 28 - 30, 2026 - Summer Hoot at The Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Rd., Olivebridge, NY
Tickets go on sale June 1st for this 3-day festival in upstate New York
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - Old Town Cultural Center, 408 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Lansing, MI
More details TBA
Sunday, December 13, 2026, 4:00 PM - Pzazz... an afternoon of poetry & jazz at UrbanBeat, 1213 Turner Road, Lansing, MI
Doors open at 3:00 PM / $10 donations appreciated
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair - free entry, donations welcome
August 28 - 30, 2026 - Summer Hoot at The Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Rd., Olivebridge, NY
Tickets go on sale June 1st for this 3-day festival in upstate New York
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - Old Town Cultural Center, 408 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Lansing, MI
More details TBA
Sunday, December 13, 2026, 4:00 PM - Pzazz... an afternoon of poetry & jazz at UrbanBeat, 1213 Turner Road, Lansing, MI
Doors open at 3:00 PM / $10 donations appreciated
2025 PERFORMANCES
January 24, 2025, 6:00 PM - Prohibition Party at the Looking Glass Brewing Company, Dewitt, MI
February 14, 2025, 8:00 PM - My Folky Valentine Turns 20 at The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI
February 21, 2025, 8:00 PM - Trinity House Theatre, Livonia, MI (double bill with Rochelle Clark)
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 (Andy & Julianna) SAT/6:10pm Main stage]
July 5, 2025, 8:30 PM - Greatest 4th in the North Festival, Lake City, MI
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.
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
February 14, 2025, 8:00 PM - My Folky Valentine Turns 20 at The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI
February 21, 2025, 8:00 PM - Trinity House Theatre, Livonia, MI (double bill with Rochelle Clark)
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 (Andy & Julianna) SAT/6:10pm Main stage]
July 5, 2025, 8:30 PM - Greatest 4th in the North Festival, Lake City, MI
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.
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 Wilson - 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 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 Jen Sygit - harmony vocals on track #3 |