The Wee Folkestra is a nine-piece Burlington-based folk band that has been together for almost a year. 

The Vermont Cynic had the chance to talk to co-founder Joe Adler about how he and the band plan to face a big change as two of their members get ready to say goodbye.

The Vermont Cynic: Give us some background information on the Wee Folkestra. What kind of music do you play?

Joe Adler: It’s a hybrid of many different styles, but heavily relying on folk-rock as a foundation. 

We do rock out… sometimes, like during Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City,” and in contrast get very sultry and jazzy for our take on a Ween classic “Baby Bitch,” which we actually got to play once with guest bassist Dave Dreiwitz from Ween. 

Our repertoire is made up of everything from old traditional bluegrass tunes to modern indie folk like Josh Ritter and Fleet Foxes.

VC: What is your mission as a band?

JA: To put on the best show we can, and give all of ourselves to the muse. Let the music flow. Try to channel the magic of the universe. Entertain as best we can. Confront powerful lyrics with a strong voice. Let the words and the vibe out into the air. 

We want you to walk away after the show feeling something more than what you came with. We want to reach out through the music.

VC: Who are your current and original members? 

JA: Current members that are original are Samara Lark on vocals, Aya Inoue on vocals and guitar, Johnnie Day Durand on musical saw and melodica, Eric Segalstad on mandolin and banjo and me, Joe Adler, on vocals, guitar and kazoo. 

Our stand up bassist Eric Daniels has been with us since last fall, and our drummer Andrew Bedard joined shortly before that. 

Our lead guitarist, Matt Harpster, will play his last gig with us at the end of March before focusing more on his other projects. Our vocalist Greg Alexander will be [leaving to move] to California to follow his bliss.

VC: What will you miss about Greg Alexander and Matt Harpster? What do they bring to the band that no one else can?

JA: They are family, [which] is the hard part. [They are] irreplaceable. And with Greg moving away, I feel sad to even think about it. 

He is like a brother, and a very inspiring and spiritual person. I consider him a very close friend, in and outside the band. So that one hurts. 

Harpster, we will drink many beers together and I am sure he will sit in with the band here and there. We are buds and good friends. A very witty dude. I understand his leaving the band; there is only so much time. 

And wow, I am right now in the middle of trying to sort through everyone’s ideas of where they think the band should go without those guys. 

[There are] several options, but it will all work itself out I am sure. One door closes while another opens. 

The Wee Folkestra will say goodbye to Matt and Greg at their “Red and Black Ball,” the celebration of their one-year anniversary as a band. The Ball will take place at the Radio Bean on Friday, Feb. 17 at 11 p.m.