Electronic Press Kit

 

Full Bio

Formed in 2014, The Burying Ground is a collective rooted in the sounds of 1920s and '30s ragtime, country blues, early string bands, and folk music. Woody Forster and Devora Laye’s musical journey began in the East Van punk scene before they dove deep into roots music, discovering a shared passion for the raw, timeless sounds of early American folk. Their transition from punk to roots has shaped the energy and authenticity they bring to the band today.
 

Having toured extensively throughout Western Canada and the U.S., The Burying Ground has performed as a duo, trio, quartet, and now regularly plays as a five-piece. Their albums—Big City Blues (2015), Country Blues & Rags (2017), The Burying Ground (2017), and A Look Back (2020)—blend original songwriting with vintage influences. A new full-length album is planned for 2025.

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Their music explores themes of mental health, war trauma, social justice, and love—both lost and found—all within a vintage musical framework. With fingerstyle guitar, upright bass, harmonica, washboard, fiddle, and the haunting musical saw, their distinctive sound resonates across generations. Whether on large festival stages or in cozy house concerts, The Burying Ground brings a vibrant and timeless energy to every performance.

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30-Word Bio

The Burying Ground blends 1920s-30s ragtime, country blues, and folk, with original music and vintage influences. Their lively, heartfelt performances captivate audiences from large stages to intimate house concerts.

 

60-Word Bio

The Burying Ground delivers a lively sound of country blues and ragtime music inspired by artists from the 1920s and '30s. Their live performances include original tunes that hold their own beside old-time classics. With a warm sound and unique instrumentation, the band attracts a diverse audience—young and old alike.

 

Members:

Woody Forster – guitar, vocals
- Devora Laye – washboard, saw, vocals
- Joshua Doherty – harmonicas, harmonies
- Alex Hallbom – upright bass
- April Stainsby – fiddle

 

Additional Supporting Musicians (past): Clara Rose Chisholm, Noah Gotfrit, Wynston Minckler, Bonnie Northgraves, Joseph Lubsinky-Mast, Marc Lindy, Jack Garton, Trent Freeman, Kathleen Nisbet, Candice Roberts

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PRESS QUOTE

"There cannot be too many acts around whose principal influences and musical heroes emanate mainly from the first half of the 20th Century, but The Burying Ground is emphatically one of them.  Yet they do not merely ape the source material that inspires them: Forster and Laye are devotees that study and absorb it deeply, filtering such as prewar blues, early jazz and American rural folk music traditions into their own lovely material.  Punk rockers at heart and previously in actuality, they acutely recognize and hold dear the ‘original punks’ – the Lead Bellys and the Woody Guthries of this world – and reverently project the same spirit of fierce independence..." - David Morrison, Folk Radio UK (2020) Read full article: https://klofmag.com/2020/05/the-burying-ground-a-look-back/ 

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"The Burying Ground were a crowd favourite at this year’s festival, and are personally one of my favourite bands. They really offer something special and unique with their “old timey” music and it resonates incredibly well with every age group, unlike very few other bands. They are the whole package—tight and solid musicians, and fantastic to work with." - Andrew Brown, Artistic Director Islands Folk Festival 

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FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Vancouver Island Music Festival (2022)
- East Van Old Time Fest (2021)
- Islands Folk Festival (2019)
- Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival (2019)
- Subdued Stringband Jamboree (2018)
- Kispiox Music Festival (2018)
- Vancouver International Jazz Festival (2017)
- Northwest Folklife Festival (Seattle, 2017)
- East Van Opry (2017)
- Robson Valley Music Festival (2016)

 

MEDIA & MUSIC LINKS 

Official Website: https://www.theburyingground.com 

Video Gallery: https://www.theburyingground.com/videos


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theburyingground/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countrbluesandrags/


Bandcamp: https://theburyingground.bandcamp.com/album/a-look-back 

 

CONTACT

Booking & Inquiries: theburyingground@gmail.com


Contact Person: Devora Laye


 

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The Burying Ground www.theburyingground.com | theburyingground@gmail.com