About Evan

Born and raised in Western New York, near Buffalo, Evan 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.

After starting his musical journey at age 8 with the violin, Evan 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 Evan’s compositions made their way to his 2016 debut EP, “Recent Time.”

Since then, Evan 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. In his folk and bluegrass band, in which he performs under the names “Evan Anstey & His Band” and “Evan Anstey Trio,” he is joined by Kibby (banjo, 12-string), Ian DeHaas (electric, acoustic and baritone guitars) and Jon Koch (violin), along with E.C. Palmer, Scott Gypson or Ben Jones on bass.

Evan also serves as a vocalist, guitarist and occasional bassist in indie-prog outfit Meat Raffle, alongside DeHaas on bass. On occasion, Evan also performs as a member of both Finding Sodus and The Seven Skilled Brewmasters.

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

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, son and two cats.

Band Membership History

— Current —

  • Evan Anstey & His Band | guitar, vocals, mandolin, violin (2022-present)

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

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

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

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

— Former —

  • Tonemah | violin, mandolin (2019-2024)

  • 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 —

  • ‘A’ Blues Band | bass, guitar

  • Mystery Machine | bass

  • 3D Trio | violin

  • Russlett & the Rogues | violin, mandolin

Photo by Mark Vosburgh