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Spotlight’s On: Simple Machines
Strings That Rock Out: The Whole Package
Inspirations like Green Sky Bluegrass and playing violin through school while young carried John Ware into the musical career he has today: one that challenges people’s normal perception of string instruments.
“I saw Green Sky Bluegrass, and I was like, oh my god, string instruments can just go crazy, they can rock out,” he said.
Max Elliott is the other half of the string pair, holding down the rhythm on guitar (and also vocals). With a musical family, it seemed to just come naturally; like this was inevitable since the time he was a kid.
After four seasons of performing together, and a semi-revolving door of other players, the pair have called themselves the “whole package.”
“We’re here to have fun,” Ware explained. “We like to have a good time.”
Alternative Bluegrass, Defined (And Songs That Write Themselves)
Genre-wise, the pair finds their best definition to be self-proclaimed “alternative bluegrass.” From icons like Grateful Dead jams, Johnny Cash, and even Irish fiddle tunes mixed into original sets, the two create an unforgettable experience while playing live.
“We’ll let them have their genre word, and we’ll be the alternative one,” Elliott said.
Whether they’re creating an original ditty for the pickle fest, or they’re finding a song during an impromptu jam session at rehearsal, the Traverse City bluegrass band is open to it all. Melodies can follow them around, or even get written in one night; regardless, the same satisfaction comes at the end of the writing, even if the songs are rarely played the same way twice.
“Sometimes that just comes with writing a weird song about a beer-powered mandolin-playing robot, or making a deal with the devil,” Ware joked.
On the other hand, the pickle song came to be in about five minutes.
Carrying More Weight
With just the two of them playing and not a larger band, there are certain pros: it’s faster to write and learn covers. However, it means that there’s less room to make mistakes.
“You gotta carry more weight,” they described. You gotta be more rhythmically present so the other person can shine.”
Ware continued, “Cooley’s Reel is one that I rip on the violin, and Max breaks lots of strings trying to keep up.”
Despite the ups and downs of being a duo, the pair has one mission: building the community for musicians and people who enjoy music.
“The biggest thing that I want to convey and have people take home with them is a sense of connectedness and community,” Elliott shared.
A Scene That’s Nice, Like the People
Within Traverse City and Michigan alone, the community has been something they’ve already found. Between their origin story with Upriver Pizza and Cherry Bowl Drive-In’s cold-call invitation to play Pickle Fest.
“I love being in Northern Michigan,” Ware said. “The land is beautiful and the people are nice, and I think that’s reflected in the music scene too.”
While Elliott grew up in Northern Michigan, Ware moved to the area within the last decade, meaning that this time playing music has largely contributed to his impression of the area as a whole.
Winter Gigs and a BlissFest Dream
While the typical gigging season is starting to go quiet as cold weather approaches, Ware and Elliott are still looking ahead. Winter gigs are booked, they’re beginning to book summer festivals, and they’ve got their eyes set on BlissFest—a favorite festival for Ware, but one that Elliot is determined to go to for the first time only if he’s onstage.
To keep up with what Simple Machines has coming up, follow them on Instagram or check out their website for upcoming shows.
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