The Boxcar Lilies at The Iron Horse on Friday, October 25 2024

When they formed The Boxcar Lilies in 2009, Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall, and Katie Clarke were inspired by their shared obsession with three-part harmony and American roots music. Accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, electric bass, and washboard, the Pioneer Valley based band brought their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to venues up and down the Eastern seaboard and as far west as Chicago. In addition to headlining regularly at The Iron Horse, they have performed at venerable folk institutions like Club Passim, Caffe Lena, Town Crier, and Philadelphia’s Tin Angel. 

Their signature mix of folk, country, and bluegrass-tinged Americana music has led to two top-5 album debuts on the International Folk DJ charts, an official showcase at the International Folk Alliance Conference, and performing at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival as the fan-voted #1 Most Wanted Emerging Artist. The Boston Globe described the trio as playing “an engaging mix of folky bluegrass and acoustic country with prominent, twining harmonies” and The Cape Cod Times said they “bring an energy, improvisation and charming presence to the stage each night.” 

In 2015, after years of balancing family and work with a challenging touring schedule, Clarke decided to retire from the band. It's been five years since the band played their last reunion show and 15 years since the band was first formed. "We are so excited to celebrate our 15-year anniversary with our local friends and fans.", says Marshall. “We'll be playing some classics and a few surprise cover songs we've always wanted to work up." Their top-notch backing band will include local heroes Dave Chalfant on bass and guitar, Jim Henry on guitar, Dobro, and mandolin, and J.J. O’Connell on drums.