Stella! and The Lesser Halves

Stella! was founded by Jo Serrapere in 2009 to showcase country-roots songwriting and three-part harmonies. Their first album Sorry, Stella was recorded in 2011 with Jo, Jen Sygit and two other former band mates in NYC. Since then the band has performed for numerous folk festivals and concert series in the Great Lakes region. In March 2017, Stella! was invited to record a LIVE performance for Backstage Pass on WKAR/PBS. Julianna Wilson joined the band soon after.

This special Ten Pound Fiddle show will open with short sets by each duo followed by a Stella! set featuring original songs from their long-awaited second album: Stella Tells The Truth. Inspired by Michigan and begun at the onset of a global pandemic, the new album explores vulnerability and existentialism with a healthy dose of playfulness.

Jo Serrapere plays acoustic guitar and provides percussion in Stella!, singing with a voice that is a curious combination of sweet innocence and wry humor. Her lesser half, John Devine, singing with a raspy voice and finger style guitar, invokes the country blues of the 1930s. 

Jen Sygit plays banjo, acoustic & electric guitar, and provides the deep bluesy low end to Stella!’s three-part harmonies. Her lesser half, Geoff Lewis, is a New Orleans’ inspired percussionist and vocalist. 

Julianna Wilson plays the upright bass and contributes the high end in many of the three part harmonies in Stella!, with a voice that is smooth and timeless. Her lesser half, Andy Wilson, plays harmonica & trumpet in the blues and jazz tradition.