Q&A with local Musician, Virginia Masland

Local artist, Virginia Masland shared her musical talent with us during our last backyard concert at the cafe and is gracious enough to share some of her musical journey with us for this week’s blog Q&A. Read on to learn about her creative backstory and inputs as well as other local spots she’ll be playing this summer (in case you missed her)! 

When/how did you make the jump from music listener to creator?

I first started making music when I was about 10 or so and started playing saxophone in school band. I’ve always loved music and have been really aware of it even when I was very young. I don’t think I really considered myself much of a musician or creator until I started playing strings when I was about 15. I started on guitar and then shortly after made the jump to mandolin. I then started playing fiddle when I was about 18.

If you could be front row at any concert, whose would it be? 

This is a tough question! Off the top of my head I’d have to say Lucinda Williams.

What is a song that makes you feel something? 

Oh there are so many but one song that really moved me most recently is “How Can You Live if You Can’t Love How Can You if You Do” by Wednesday. It’s just beautifully written and produced and felt very much like something I can relate to at the moment.

Can you give a little background about your musical style/influences?

I’d say I primarily come from an acoustic background. I started playing string music through going to bluegrass jams and then also got very into old-time fiddle which I play a lot of. I’m always drawn to the feel of that music.

I feel heavily influenced by honest, authentic, “three-chords-and-the-truth” type songwriters.

I’ve recently been getting into electric guitar as well and trying to emulate the tone of a few artists I love. Jason Molina, Julia Jacklin, MJ Lenderman, Buck Meek are a few examples. Artists that influence me in this realm also have that very honest, plain-spoken songwriting style so I think that’s the biggest thing for me. 

Where else can we find you this summer? (social media?/website?)

The best way to keep up with me is probably on Instagram @virginiafrompa. I use that more than anything but I do have a Facebook page under my name Virginia Masland. I post events pages there pretty regularly.

In July I’ll be at the Millworks in Harrisburg on the 25th and Ploughman Cider Taproom in Gettysburg on the 27th.

In August I’ll be at the Abbey Bar in Harrisburg sharing a bill with Peter Stone and Autumn Sky Hall on the 23rd and then at the Elias Center in Mifflinburg with Tanner Bingaman and Serene Green. 

I’m also working on some recordings and will hopefully have something out within the next few months!