Justin Vilchez - What Is Bluegrass?

Lindsay Waddington sits down with Australian mandolinist Justin Vilchez for a fascinating conversation about the sound, history and hidden rules of bluegrass music. Justin shares what first drew him to bluegrass, why the mandolin became his main instrument, and how Bill Monroe helped shape the genre into what it is today.

Together, Lindsay and Justin explore the mandolin’s role in bluegrass, from driving the rhythm like a snare drum to the famous bluegrass chop. They also talk about traditional versus modern bluegrass, the connection between country and folk music, and where the Australian bluegrass scene may be heading next.