In a time when rock n’ roll is on life-support and pop music still dominates the radio, it seems that roots and bluegrass music has had new life breathed into it in recent years.  And thanks to the popularity of summer festivals like Electric Forest, The Michigan Roots Jamboree and Hoxeyville, Michigan has established itself at the forefront of this revival.

One of the most creative acts to ride this wave of popularity is Ann Arbor’s own Dragon Wagon, who describe their sound as “Bluegrass folk rock with a shot of Irish whiskey.”  Putting on one of the most infectious and dance-friendly shows around, Dragon Wagon spent this summer touring across the Midwest—including numerous regular gigs in their hometown of Ann Arbor—and ending their 3,500 mile journey at Electric Forest in Rothbury, Mich.

“It was more incredible than you could ever imagine,” reflects fiddle player/vocalist Diana Ladio. “Just the thrill and buzz of getting to play with some of the bands and people we’ve been idolizing for a long time was such a great experience.”

Signing on with the Ann Arbor-based label, Oddfellow Music, Dragon Wagon has released a self-titled LP and a live album recorded at The Ark.  But there is plenty more on the horizon. “We’re a live band,” says guitarist/vocalist Don Schneider, “Even when we go into the studio, we cut everything live.”

This live sound is evident in their latest single, “County Line,” available for download at Oddfellowmusic.com.  “Our goal over the next year is to get at least one new song out every month for people to download.  We plan to release four EP’s and then, at the end of that period, put together a compilation album as sort of a greatest hits LP.”

The current lineup of Dragon Wagon has been together for over a year now.  Starting with Don Schneider and Troy Stanley Radikin (mandolin/voc), the band has grown to include Diana Ladio (fiddle/voc), Rich Delcamp (banjo/voc), Dan Hildebrandt (bass), and Fitz McGirr (percussion).

“We pretty much came together through friends and being involved in the local music scene,” says Schneider.  “Fritz and Dan both knew each other from U of M music school, and, from there, it all just kind of happened.”

Occasionally covering tunes from folk/bluegrass legends like Norman Blake, Buck Owens and The Grateful Dead, the band pulls influences from a variety of places. “We all listen to different kinds of music,” says Schneider, “and we look for ways to incorporate it into what we do as a band.”  When asked what was playing in their cars on the way to their show later that night at Circus, it was obvious that they are devout followers of the local music scene, each mentioning bands along the lines of Black Jake and the Carnies, The Ragbirds and The Macpods.  That is, with one exception.  “Unfortunately, I don’t have a radio or anything in my car at this point,” laments Radikin, laughing.  “But maybe I’ll be able to get one after a few more shows.”

When asked about the seemingly rejuvenated folk/bluegrass scene in Michigan, the band says that they are seeing it all over the country.  “Nationally, you’ve got bluegrass bands that are really coming out and doing well like The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons,” says Schneider.  “And I think it goes beyond just music,” suggests Ladio.  “I think a lot of the popularity of it in this area has to do with the whole localism and organic movement, and I think acoustic music kind of goes hand-in-hand with that.  People are anxious just to take it back to the roots.”

Including regular gigs at The Ark, the band was particularly excited about two upcoming shows when I spoke with them—the annual Earth Tones benefit for the League of Conservation Voters on September 22at The Ark, and an October 15 show with the Kalamazoo-based band, Funktion, at Gracies in Ann Arbor. You can also catch upcoming shows on October 6 at Wolverine Brewing Company and on November 2 during Bluegrass Night at Circus in downtown Ann Arbor.

To download Dragon Wagon’s albums, including their latest single, “County Line,” visit OddFellowMusic.com and DragonWagonBand.com.

Click here to view an exclusive live video of the band performing “County Line.”