About the Band
The Springtails are a Michigan-based band featuring swing-era style vocals and eclectic acoustic instrumentation. Julianna Wilson provides lead vocals, ukulele, and upright bass with her partner Andy Wilson on harmonicas and cornet, and his brother Joe Wilson on dobro, Hawaiian guitar, and trombone. They 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, 2023
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
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
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 - drums, washboard 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 - drums with special guest Jen Sygit - harmony vocals on track #3 |