BIOGRAPHY
Banjolectric recasts traditional American banjo playing within the modern and globalized soundscape of America today. Banjolectric's Gregory Mulkern was born within the folk music culture of the Northeast/New England. His later migration between the city of Detroit (the city of Motown, Detroit Techno, Blues, and diverse established ethnic communities) and the Pacific Northwest (home to massive global folk music and world-electro DJ scenes) inspired the global electro-banjo project. Banjolectric uses 100% live-looping to mix the high-energy danceability of a global bass set with catchy hooks and open-hearted songwriting. Infectious grooves meet strong vocals, true showmanship, and lots of audience connection for a joyful and show breaking new creative ground.
Gregory Mulkern is an original international touring/recording musician recognized for forging new pathways for the iconic 5-string banjo through his electrifying solo act, Banjolectric. Banjolectric's debut album "So Below" was featured in PopMatter’s “The 20 Best Folk Albums of 2018” questioning the limits of what we call “Americana.” Banjolectric has toured through most of Europe and the US, including a six-week American tour in support of the band Dirtwire. Banjolectric’s base of operation moved from the US to Europe in 2023 to be closer to Mulkern’s alt-Western project 2Frontiers, but Gregory continues to play shows in both continents, bringing his Roots Funk sound wherever audiences will dance to his fresh new soundscape.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Banjolectric reinvents the banjo within the contemporary moment, updating the iconic American instrument for the modern America. By blending modern transcultural musical influences found across present-day America, and incorporating the technology behind modern dance music, Banjolectric celebrates the exciting and diverse musical possibilities of our modern era while envisioning a future free from rigid thoughts about our music and ourselves.