About Evan

Some days, he’s fronting a rock band. Other days, he’s a bluegrass fiddler. But on any given day, Evan Anstey is probably working on a new song or two. Born and raised north of Buffalo, New York, Anstey's alternative-folk sound draws inspiration ranging from bluegrass pioneers like Flatt & Scruggs, to the progressive sounds of Nickel Creek and modern folk stylings of Aoife O’Donovan, John Paul White and Declan O’Rourke.

As a child, Evan started his musical journey with the violin, and later picked up other stringed instruments such as guitar, mandolin and electric bass. Songwriting has long been a hobby of his and eventually, a number of Anstey’s compositions made their way to his 2016 debut EP, “Recent Time.”

Since then, he has has released 2018's "We Will Be At Peace,” 2020’s collaboration with friend James Robert Kibby — "The Weekend Preacher,” 2023’s “Things Changed” and two entries in his “Alternates” EP series (2021, 2024).

Involvement in WNY Music

Since he was 17, Evan has played with a number of bands in the Buffalo and Rochester areas, both as a guest and a member. He’s even been fortunate enough to share the stage with some legends of the music world, including Billy Sheehan and Kansas.

In his folk and bluegrass band, Evan Anstey & the Old Ways, he is joined by Kibby (banjo, 12-string), Ian DeHaas (electric, acoustic and baritone guitars), Jon Koch (violin) and Ben Jones (bass).

Anstey and DeHaas also serve as co-lead vocalists and guitarists of progressive alt-rock outfit Meat Raffle. On occasion, Evan also performs as a member of Finding Sodus, The Seven Skilled Brewmasters, and Russlett & the Rogues.

Between 2019 and 2024, Evan was a sideman for Americana songsmith Darryl Tonemah, playing violin and mandolin. In years past, he also co-founded, played guitar and sang with 716-based rock bands Arrowdrive and The Moon Hunters. Additionally, he was a longtime member of Acoustic Jelly from 2015 through 2022, serving as violinist, mandolinist and co-lead vocalist.

Life And Such

Evan graduated from Houghton University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in music. He continues to call Western New York his home alongside his wife and son, and their two cats.

Band Membership History

— Current —

  • Evan Anstey & the Old Ways | vocals, guitar, violin (2022-present), mandolin (2022-2024)

  • Meat Raffle | guitar, vocals (2019-present)

  • Finding Sodus | vocals, guitar (2022-present)

  • The Seven Skilled Brewmasters | violin, electric guitar (2023-present)

  • Russlett & the Rogues | violin, mandolin (2023-present)

— Former —

  • Tonemah | violin, mandolin (2019-2024)

  • Alex Feig & Friends/Bunch of Bloody Guts | guitar (2023), bass (2021-2023), backing vocals (2021-2023)

  • Acoustic Jelly | violin, mandolin, vocals (2015-2022)

  • Arrowdrive/Community Property | guitar, vocals (2011-2012, 2019-2020)

  • Trailer Park Barbies | guitar, vocals (2018-2019)

  • The Moon Hunters | guitar, vocals (2012-2019)

  • Thirty Mile | guitar, mandolin, violin, vocals (2016-2017)

  • Fake News/Faces for Radio | guitar, vocals (2015-2016)

  • Evan Anstey & the Unsupervised | guitar, vocals (2015-2016)

— Guest Appearances —

  • Buffalo Bound | violin

  • MOB: Musicians of Buffalo | violin

  • ‘A’ Blues Band | bass, guitar

  • Mystery Machine | bass

  • 3D Trio | violin

Photo by Mark Vosburgh