Wicked Sycamore

Wicked Sycamore is an all-female trio from the Baltimore/DC area who bring a mischievous edge to contemporary folk, combining intricate vocal harmonies with thoughtful arrangement, mood shifts, and storytelling. Their original music ranges from fun and lighthearted sing-alongs to deep, introspective tunes for the ages - all influenced by traditional roots music, blues, pop, bluegrass, funk, and jazz. They are proud to add their voices as both female musicians and songwriters to the modern music landscape.
Wicked Sycamore consists of Juliette Bell on guitar, Lainie Gray on mandolin, and Madeline Waters on cello. They began jamming and playing music together in 2015 and discovered a shared desire to explore songwriting in a more intimate ensemble, thus Wicked Sycamore was born.
As an acoustic trio, their music blends the familiar and traditional with the daring and unexpected. Each member is a multi-instrumentalist who brings a unique background and influence to their sound. They have been called a “three-legged stool”, and their intertwined songwriting and arrangements are proof of that concept. They keep each other upright, most often at a jaunty angle.
The wider world of Wicked Sycamore has grown to include recording professionals and producers at Tonal Park, Wright Way, Deep End Studios, and American University; as well as recording collaborations and performances with friends on drums, violin, pedal steel guitar, dobro, and string quartet. Their latest studio record, If Not Now, is available to stream and purchase as of March 28, 2025.
Wicked Sycamore won the Charm City Bluegrass band competition in 2019 and they were awarded two WAMMIES in 2021 for Best Bluegrass Group/Artist and Best Bluegrass Album (In More Ways Than One) in the DMV-area. Wicked Sycamore has played at festivals such as DelFest, Greyfox Bluegrass Festival, Charm City Bluegrass Festival, Sultana Downrigging Festival, and The Annapolis Baygrass Festival