Greenbelt Music Festival set for May 16-17

4/30/2025

The careers of members of Them Coulee Boys, a jam band from Wisconsin, took off after playing bars and small town gigs. They will be playing the Greenbelt Music Festival for the first time on May 17.

Them Coulee Boys is a five-piece bluegrass band formed in 2013 by Soren Staff, along with Beau Janke. Other band members include Soren’s brother, Jenson, on mandolin, along with Neil Krauseo on bass and Stas Hable on drums.

With five albums under their belt, their latest album, “No Fun in the Chrysalis,” has hit No. 17 on the Americana Radio Charts. 

Soren spoke from his home in Eau Claire about the band’s name. They named their band after the region in Wisconsin where they grew up, where Coulee, a river valley, is located.

As a teenager, Soren began playing classic rock with his guitar. He and his brother would drive to school together, harmonizing and singing for an upcoming school performance. Their dad liked classic rock, whereas his mom preferred women songwriters/singers.

Soren played guitar until he met Beau Janke while the pair were working as summer camp counselors. Beau played banjo, and Soren became hooked on the instrument. 

“I traded in my guitar for a banjo,” he recalls.

The band played small-town bars and broke into playing music festivals, which fueled their music career. 

“Wisconsin has no shortage of festivals,” Soren reflects.

Them Coulee Boys built a loyal fan base because of its unique sound. The music isn’t just one genre of traditional bluegrass; rather, it encompasses both bluegrass and rock and roll. 

“Bluegrass is built on tradition. You do it a certain way. It invites people to break the mold. Some people resist it, and, because of that, it’s created space for cool things to happen,” he explains.

They credit bands that lack traditional bluegrass style, such as Devil Makes Three and Billy Strings, for fueling their own unique sound. 

“To see these bands doing well gives us a canvas to do what we want with our music. It’s morphed into string with rock ‘n’ roll. We enjoy operating on the margins,” he says.

Them Coulee Boys plays about 125 gigs a year, mostly at festivals. 

“It’s always cool to play the first time at a spot. Blue Ox was a checkmark. Playing on a cruise ship — a checkmark. Each time we experience a first, we’re happy and thankful.” 

Soren says a career highlight is returning to their small hometown to perform a concert. They are excited to host their own music festival, Lake Effect Music Fest, this fall. 

Wherever they perform, making music with friends in the band is a gift.

“I never intended to do music more than a summer,” he reflects. “I just want to make music with my friends. I’m grateful I’m doing that. It’s hard not to get misty-eyed thinking about music. Here we are, a decade later, and it feels really good.” 

Greenbelt Music Festival
The Greenbelt Music Festival is back for its third year. The fest is held on May 16-17 just off the Clive Greenbelt Trail and close to Horizon Events Center. The festival boasts 18 bands playing bluegrass, jam, rock, country and more.

Headlining the festival this year is Greensky Bluegrass and Devil Makes Three.

Tariq Lundy, festival booking and operations manager, says last year’s attendance was at near capacity. 

“We had a great crowd and a lot of fun. It convinced us to come back for year three,” he says.

The family-friendly event means kids 12 and younger get in free. A special kids’ zone offers fun for the younger ones.

This year included a battle of the bands competition where folks voted for the opening band. This year, Wolfskill & The Wild won and will perform on May 17. 

“It’s fun to see new bands coming out of the woodwork,” Tariq says.

Five dollars for each ticket sold goes to the Clive Community Foundation, helping to revitalize the Clive Greenbelt Trail. For festival information, visit www.greenbeltmusic.com. ♦