The Georgia Fireflies are an old-timey Appalachian country-folk ensemble hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. Fronted by Jeff Holt and Leanna Fugate, the two trade off duties on banjo, mandolin, guitar, and lead and harmony vocals while Brian Fletcher (Luigi) often joins them on spoons, washboard, and other old-timey percussion.
The Georgia Fireflies’ music displays their diverse taste in both new and long gone artists such as the Carter Family, Patsy Montana, Hazel Dickens, Camper Van Beethoven, and Wilco among many others.
On their debut release, On Down the Line, the Georgia Fireflies "keep things fun by blending the music’s established rural aspects with modern touches" Stomp and Stammer Sept. 2006. The recording includes both originals and traditionals using numerous sounds not typically associated with the old-timey genre including electric guitar, tape-loops, and various unconventional noises.
Jeff Holt is an Atlanta scene veteran having played in numerous bands including Ultrababyfat and #1 Family Mover. Leanna Fugate has played in various bands in Atlanta, Chicago and Asheville including Blue Ginseng and the Whiskey Hollow Band. Both currently play with indie-popadelic band Silent Kids.
The Georgia Fireflies recently composed and performed the theme song for Georgia Public Broadcasting’s "Georgia Outdoors" which airs statewide four times a week on PBS.
"Channeling the Carter Family with an edge, Georgia Fireflies mix old timey music with new fangled noises to whip up a back-porch-and-whiskey good time. On Down the Line, the band’s debut release on Abandoned Track Records, Jeff Holt and Leanna Fugate trade off stringed instruments and vocals, while old pals Brian Fletcher and Brandon Smith drop in for the fun."
"Atlanta duo the Georgia Fireflies stomp out old-timey country-folk songs wedged into a modern context. Anything from spoons to washboards to electric guitar and tape loops are fair game in each song’s instrumentation."
"Consisting of strays from a pair of Atlanta’s better indie-rock acts, The Georgia Fireflies perform old-timey Appalachian country-folk tunes with surprising dexterity. On their debut album, On Down the Line, Leanna Fugate (guitar/banjo/mandolin/vocals) and Jeff Holt (guitar/banjo/vocals), both of Silent Kids, along with Luigi drummer Brian Fletcher (spoons, washboard/ukulele/etc.) keep things fun by blending the music’s established rural aspects with modern touches, on a mix of traditionals and original tunes. In further Fireflies news, the group just recorded the theme song for the Georgia Public Broadcasting program Georgia Outdoors."
"With a fresh, spirited spin on old-timey back-porch tunes, The Georgia Fireflies celebrated the release of their excellent debut CD at the Red Light Sept. 29th."
"The Georgia Fireflies are a time machine – maybe more of a time and space machine – because when you hear their music you are transported to the North Georgia mountains circa 1920, where you can relax on the front porch in a rocking chair and sip on sweet tea and enjoy the acoustic sounds of the guitar, washboard and banjo.
...Brian Fletcher (played) locomotive-imitating washboard, galloping spoons, spur-sounding tambourine and foot stomps, which all together sounded like the soundtrack to a train robbery...Fugate’s vocals...were balanced by Holt’s voice, which was Americana-robust like a strong coffee from the old kettle. Their performance made you wish you had brought a jug along so you could join in."