Lost Whiskey Engine and Coburn Station are truly bands of brothers. Lost Whiskey Engine, led by guitarist and lead vocalist Sean McAlindin, includes mandolin-playing brother Conor, who also is the drummer for Coburn Station and Mick James, who plays stand-up bass. An improvisational string band, the group draws their multi-genre sound from bluegrass, Celtic, folk and Americana influences.
“With Irish roots in the family, Irish/Celtic music spoke to me,” says Sean. “Our ancestors played this music and I connected with it.”
Lost Whiskey Engine plays covers and original music. “We’re a high-energy, jam-grass band that improvises in the style of Greensky Bluegrass and Yonder Mountain String Band. And being brothers we have a psychic connection for improvising,” explains Sean. “We also have special guests play with us, so you hop on the engine or hop off the engine but the engine keeps on rolling.”
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“With Irish roots in the family, Irish/Celtic music spoke to me. Our ancestors played this music and I connected with it.”
-Sean McAlindin
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Also the songwriter for Lost Whiskey Engine, he explains, “I get inspired by intense emotions I need to process, which typically motivates me to write about certain things. I may hear a riff or chord progression and base the song on it, or I hear a melody in my head. Sometimes it’s a feeling, word or concept that inspires the song. I want to tell a story through the music. Writing is like a puzzle and putting the pieces together that people respond to is an artistic challenge.”
In addition to playing guitar, Sean also plays piano and banjo and teaches at the Tahoe School of Music.
Coburn Station features Dan McAlister on guitar and lead vocals, Thomas Page on bass and Conor McAlindin on drums. The band boasts a mountain jam, psychedelic, rock sound and resonates with bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. The name Coburn Station is derived from local history when 19th Century local, S.S. Coburn, operated a stage station and public house for teamsters named Coburn Station. The present-day site of Coburn Station is the train depot in downtown Truckee. Coburn regularly played music for his men and, according to Conor McAlindin, the massive music parties involved whiskey, wine, weed and dancing into the wee hours of the night. The band’s latest album, “Coming Home,” was released this past spring.
Both Lost Whiskey Engine and Coburn Station are performing at Truckee Optimist Club’s 11th Annual Truckee Brew Fest on June 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Truckee Regional Park (see Events for details).
“It’s a great event and we are excited to be invited back to play. What’s cool about the event is it’s fun to combine both bands and it’s for a good cause,” explains Sean.
The fundraiser to support community programs, sponsorships, grants and scholarships for Truckee youth, will feature more than 40 breweries. With the barbecues on fire, there will be plenty of food for purchase. Designated drivers can attend the event for free.
June 11 | 1-5 p.m.
$30 advance | $35 at the gate | 21+
Truckee Regional Park | Truckee
Looking up for annual fest Truckee
The 11th Annual Truckee Brew Fest presented by Truckee Optimist Club is from 1 to 5 p.m. at Truckee Regional Park. More than 40 specialty brews from Northern California and Nevada breweries, live music, dancing, barbecue items and silent auction. 21+. No dogs. | truckeeoptimist.com
For more information, visit truckeebrewfest.com.
