Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs are an energetic Americana band from Bozeman, Montana, that infuses four-part harmonies, engaging songwriting, and rock-n-roll drive into a modern approach to traditional folk music. Coming from varied musical backgrounds, the five-person ensemble creates a sound unique to them, but one that appeals to audiences of all ages. The Bird Dogs weave stories through their songs that are reflective, joyous, longing, or meant to share a journey with the listener. Through it all, the band is able to convey heartfelt honesty, getting the audience to immerse themselves in the moment by dancing, singing and laughing along.
Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs have been touring full-time for seven years, playing notable festivals such as Bourbon and Beyond, Under the Big Sky, Grand Targhee Bluegrass, Blue Ox, and Red Ants Pants. They have received attention from media outlets such as Saving Country Music, who listed the Bird Dogs in the top 16 performances of 2021, alongside the company of musicians such as Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell and Dwight Yoakam. They were featured on the Emmy award-winning television series 11th and Grant, and had their original song “Lonely Tracks” featured in a documentary called My Country No More, which aired on PBS Independent Lens. The Bird Dogs seem to pick up fans wherever they go, and they are beginning to spread to all four corners of the US.
Their most recent album, Coyote, was released June 2nd, 2023. The Bird Dogs returned the Panoramic House in Stinson Beach where their previous album Through the Smoke was recorded. Coyote is a nod to all of the past albums the Bird Dogs have released while also exploring new ideas and highlighting their strengths as a whole. Every song packs a punch through huge choruses, soaring solos, and driving bass lines, all while telling meaningful tales of life and lessons learned.
Through the Smoke, was recorded in February 2021. This album is one of personal transformation. The concept of letting things go, processing past and current situations, and moving forward was ever present in 2020-2021, as the world went through trials beyond words. Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs found a way to represent their journey through hardship, while also celebrating the silver linings and breakthrough moments in their lives. Through the Smoke brings energy to the darkness, and proves that resilience can get us through the hardest of times.
The Bird Dogs released a live self-titled studio album in 2016, recorded at Basecamp Studio in Bozeman. Their follow-up album, titled The Vigilante Session, was recorded live at a forest service cabin in the Ruby mountains. In 2019 Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs recorded their first full-length studio album, Sweet Little Lies, at Prairie Sun Records in Cotati CA. Their live album, Live at the Filling Station, was recorded in 2019 at the Filling Station in Bozeman MT and released in 2020.
Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs consists of Lena (Laney) Schiffer on vocals/guitar, Matt Demarais on vocals/banjo, Ethan Demarais on bass, Brian Kassay on vocals/fiddle, and Josh Moore on vocals/guitar.
