Similar to a good homemade chili, lots of different ingredients are infused into the Urban Pioneers homemade sound. Add equal parts western swing, old time string band music, and classic honky tonk, with a pinch of bluegrass, rockabilly, and gypsy jazz, stir with some hot licks and corny jokes, and you'll be getting close to what the band calls Hillbilly Swing Music.
The trio are made up by Liz Sloan on fiddle, Jared McGovern on guitar and banjo, Martin Sargent slapping the doghouse bass, and every so often you'll see them with a guest on mandolin or steel guitar.
Liz hails from Breckenridge, TX where she began playing violin at 3 years old. As she grew up she gravitated towards fiddle and now has a remarkable style all her own. Liz is one of the most entertaining musicians to watch in the world today.
Jared comes from Soddy Daisy, TN and began his music career as a bass player. Liz and Jared met and began their courtship in Bob Wayne's band, and have backed the likes of Wayne Hancock, Jayke Orvis, Filthy Still, and Shooter Jennings. In 2014, Jared picked up the banjo and the Urban Pioneers were born.
Martin, the one man rhythm section, was born and raised in Fort Worth, TX. His percussive slap style on the doghouse is the backbone of the Urban Pioneers' sound.
Since the bands inception they have been on the road criss-crossing the US and Europe virtually non-stop. They pride themselves on their work ethic and have played everywhere from back yards and punk bars to festivals and goat farms.