Bluegrass Star Billy Strings / Laufey - Fresh Air Recap

Podcast: Fresh Air

Published: 2025-12-27

Duration: 48 minutes

Guests: Billy Strings

Summary

Billy Strings discusses his journey with bluegrass music, personal challenges, and his new album 'Live at the Legion.' Laufey shares her musical upbringing, influences, and the impact of COVID-19 on her career, leading to her album 'A Matter of Time.'

What Happened

Billy Strings, a bluegrass musician known for his skillful guitar playing, shares his journey from a young boy learning music from his father to becoming a Grammy-winning artist. His music blends traditional bluegrass with improvisational elements, drawing influence from legends like Doc Watson. Strings speaks candidly about his struggles with anxiety, depression, and complex post-traumatic stress, largely stemming from a tumultuous childhood marked by his parents' addiction issues. Despite these challenges, Strings finds solace in songwriting, using it as a therapeutic outlet to process personal tragedies, including the recent loss of his mother.

Billy Strings' new album, 'Live at the Legion,' captures a live performance with fellow musician Brian Sutton, showcasing his ability to merge traditional bluegrass with extended jam sessions. His album 'Highway Prayers' made history by becoming the first bluegrass album in over two decades to top Billboard's all-genre album sales chart, reflecting his broad appeal. Strings also discusses the deep impact of bluegrass music on his life, recalling how a particular experience listening to 'Rank Stranger' ignited his passion for the genre.

Laufey, an Icelandic jazz-pop musician, offers insight into her diverse musical upbringing, which includes classical training in cello and exposure to jazz through her father's extensive collection. Growing up between Reykjavik and Washington, D.C., Laufey experienced a blend of cultures that influenced her artistic expression. Her breakout during the COVID-19 pandemic came via social media, where she began posting videos of herself singing, leading to widespread recognition.

Her album 'A Matter of Time' continues to explore these cultural and musical intersections, drawing from classical music, jazz, and pop. Laufey discusses her admiration for vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, who have significantly influenced her vocal style. She also shares the personal story behind a song about a friendship breakup, which she found uniquely painful compared to romantic breakups.

Laufey's career has seen rapid growth, culminating in her first arena tour and recognition on Billboard's jazz charts. She credits her multicultural background and early exposure to diverse music genres for shaping her unique sound. Laufey's mother, who played with the Baltimore Symphony, and her father, who worked for the IMF, provided a rich musical environment that nurtured her talents from a young age.

Both artists, Billy Strings and Laufey, highlight the healing power of music in their lives. Strings uses his songwriting to navigate personal pain and connect with others who share similar experiences, while Laufey finds joy in blending various musical styles to create something new and resonate with a broad audience.

Key Insights