The Mountain & The Moon

The Mountain & The Moon was formed during the spring of 2015 when bassist Noah Laniakea and banjoist Casey Holmberg met at UCLA. Both musicians shared a love for bluegrass and old-time music, and as they rehearsed and performed together they began to explore a larger musical space around that idiom.

"What has emerged is a form of classically informed roots music – a blend of the string arrangements on Nico’s Chelsea Girl and the banjo playing of Béla Fleck, perhaps...we are thrilled to have their singular brand of bluegrass represented in our contest." Freshgrass

"The new blend of musical composition and musicianship between them marked the sensation of that first impression...they push against the form from both bluegrass and classical forms; they are teaching the form itself new moves.” - Bruce Milton Cooper, Los Angeles, CA