Bison

Bison is an acoustic string band formed in South Lake Tahoe, California in 2008 by songwriters Andy Hatch and Chris Seal. Current members of the band include Andy, mandolin, Chris, guitar and harmonica, Andy Voelkel, banjo, and Nate Alcorn, upright bass. Bison has an exciting original style while embracing traditional instrumentation and the vast storied history of American folk music. The band has performed at many events since its inception, including supporting acts such as Peter Rowan and The Infamous Stringdusters. They have headlined The Boathouse at Valhalla among many other venues and festivals, are a mainstay at the Divided Sky, and have traveled from their hometown in South Lake Tahoe for shows in the Northern California region as well as participating in the band contest at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado. Bison were the headliners of the Lake Tahoe Bluegrass Festival before it evolved into the Bluegrass and Beyond festival. Bison plays mostly original songs written by band members. 

Chris Seal (guitar, harmonica, vocals) performs solo as Ash Relics, an act combining his folk songs and favorite covers with a style he invented blending electric blues with hip hop beats, and plays guitar, harmonica and fiddle with the The Residents, an up-and-coming Americana band in Tahoe led by Ted Kennedy. Acts Chris has been associated with in Tahoe include Pleasure Bonus, The Sierra Drifters, Thee Apes, and Garbage Can. Chris played in punk rock bands in Portland, Oregon before arriving in Tahoe in 2007 and helping form Bison the following year. 

Andy Hatch (mandolin, vocals) is a multi-instrumentalist who currently performs tenor saxophone as a guest artist with Tahoe jazz and funk duo CB Radio, and plays mandolin and electric lead guitar in a Tahoe Americana trio known as Raggedy. Andy has also formed or played in several Tahoe bands over the years, including South Tahoe Funk Union, Grand 58, 4-Piece Puzzle, and The Sierra Drifters. 

Andy Voelkel (banjo, vocals) is a also multi-instrumentalist, and currently plays keyboards with Mescalito, and plays banjo and keyboards with Raggedy. Andy V has played with a variety of other Tahoe bands including trombone with South Tahoe Funk Union, and keyboard with Drought Relief. 

Nate Alcorn (bass) has been performing since he was a teenager in punk, psychobilly, swing bands, and more. Some examples are Hellbound Glory, themsonsabitches, South Shore Riot, Thee Apes, Garbage Can and The Sierra Drifters.