Sheep Bridge Jumpers

The Sheep Bridge Jumpers have always been a group of friends coming together to create music and not take themselves too seriously. Inspired by their experiences growing up in Idaho in the Wood River Valley, their indie folk sound can range from lyric driven melodies, to indie and punk inspired songs, to slow emotional heart-wrenching ballads. The trumpet, violin, electric guitar, and sometimes synth, add texture to their indie folk landscape. Their lyrics will likely have you singing and dancing along.

The  last couple of years, the Sheep Bridge Jumpers decided it was time to make music a priority in all of their lives. Spurred by a lack of band community in the pandemic years, each realized that music is such a large part of each of their lives, their goals were many: to come together to rebuild the band they love was number one; and to play more shows throughout Idaho and beyond, in turn further contributing to the music scene locally, was number two. With that, has come the writing of new music, the ambition to record an album that they plan to release late spring 2025, as well as the goal to use the band as a place to commune, heal and grow individually and musically.

Each of the members is unique to the sound and feel of the Sheep Bridge Jumpers. Zach Herbert (Trumpet, Electric Guitar, Synth & Vocals), also performs in his project St. Terrible, brings life to the stage with lyrics about love, joy, pain and triumph. His raspy trumpet washes over many of the melodies adding a unique proclamation to each of their songs. Cam Bouiss (Drums) formerly of Finn Riggins, is the backbone of the band and brings intricacy and ingenuity into the driving, yet at times, tender folk rhythms lying beneath. Connor Wade (Violin & Vocals) adds a dreamy soundscape and beautiful texture filled with deep reverberating harmonic tones, and, on occasion, sharp staccato plucking leading the listener into their melodies. Mark Oliver (Guitar & Vocals) brings his punk rhythms and heartfelt lyrics to many of SBJ's songs. Singing at times of lost love, glory, destruction, faith and failure, his words are crisp and heartfelt leaving those paying attention thinking about the stories told. With the new addition of Pat Sebastian, of Howling Squirrel, on Bass, and Mariah Priddy, of Makayla King, singing. The occasional lead guitar or mandolin of Antonio Vazquez (Tylor and the Train Robbers) rounds out their lineup.

With a name like Sheep Bridge Jumpers, one can assume they are just an Americana Bluegrass band, but they are anything but that leaning into their indie folk feel. You may want to dance, you may want to sing along, you may want to sit in the back and take in a good story. One thing is for sure, when you listen to the Sheep Bridge Jumpers, you will feel it.