Trying to put Alabaster Boxer neatly into a single genre is a bit like pinning down a feeling; you can describe it, but mostly, you just feel it. Folk-pop, Americana, pop-rock, punk, bluegrass… all true, and yet defying easy labels. It turns out, bassist and vocalist Bill Fraley has found the description that seems to land just right.

“I’ve heard us called Folk-Pop, Americana, and almost any variation of that you can think of, but my favorite description is ‘Appalachian Emo’… so I’m sticking with Appalachian Emo; I think it fits best.”

Guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter Nick Durm couldn’t agree more.

“The original vision and idea was a fusion of pop-rock/punk and bluegrass… I feel like we’ve taken that vision and really grown with it, and from it, into something brand new. As Bill mentioned above, I’m absolutely in love with the idea of being labeled Appalachian Emo haha.”

That blend, emotionally honest, rooted in Appalachia, and shaped by a wide range of influences, has become the backbone of Alabaster Boxer’s sound and identity.

From a Project to a Band

Alabaster Boxer wasn’t initially meant to be a full-fledged band. It began as a songwriting project, with Nick collaborating with Robbie Lanham at Monarch Entertainment. But as songs were recorded and friends from different musical backgrounds were pulled in to help bring them to life, something unexpected happened.

“Once we started playing shows, I think we all knew we had something special,” Nick said. “From there we agreed to equal ownership of this project, continuing to blend and co-create, call it a band and see what happens. That’s when things really truly started to take off.”

Joining Nick and Bill to complete Alabaster Boxer are Jason Lockart on keyboard and vocals, Corey Lee McQuade on dobro, banjo, and vocals, Brian Bell on electric guitar, and Scott Hinkle on drums and vocals, a group of talented musicians who bring their own flavors to the Appalachian Emo mix. Fun fact: Corey Lee McQuade did the voice of Grumpy Bear from the Care Bears.

Honoring the Man Behind the Name

The band’s name carries just as much meaning as its music. Alabaster Boxer is a tribute to Nick’s grandfather, Noah Salango, the man who raised him.

“He was a tough old Italian man (who is actually in the West Virginia Boxing Hall of Fame) who I never saw the tough side of. He raised us kids with nothing but love and core values that truly shaped me into who I am today.”

Nick explains that alabaster represents creativity, healing, growth, and even a spiritual journey, a fitting symbol paired with the strength of a boxer.

“So I kind of took all of those thoughts and meshed them together to represent one’s own personal journey but also pay homage to the Italian man who sculpted me. The Alabaster Boxer, Noah Salango.”

Live Shows, Connection, and Community

This year, Alabaster Boxer will be performing as part of the Lewisburg Winter Music Festival, an event they’re genuinely excited to be part of.

“The great thing about LWMF is that you can find amazing music all day and night at all of the venues,” Bill said. “And while we obviously would love for everyone to come see us, we know that no matter which venue they go to, they will get to see great artists.”

For the band, live shows aren’t about a single standout moment. They’re about connection.

“What we are excited about is sharing our songs with others who are nice enough to share their time with all of us, supporting local music and art,” Bill said. “We appreciate it so much… that people find some joy in our songs and take time out of their lives to enjoy them with us.”

Nick echoed that sentiment, adding one recent favorite to the mix:

“It always means the most connecting with a listener through original music. If I had to choose one, though, lately we’ve been closing our sets with ‘Holiest Ghosts’, a song our keyboardist Jason Lockart penned, and I always have fun ending the evening with that one.”

Phases? Maybe. Flow? Definitely.

Ask Alabaster Boxer what creative phase they’re in, and there’s no simple answer, and that’s part of the fun.

“You know, I’m not entirely sure we’re ever really truly in a phase,” Nick said. “Everything with this band is constantly so fluid… but most importantly we’re always having fun together.” Nick jokes, “Wait, are we in the honeymoon phase? S—, we’re in the honeymoon phase.”

That sense of trust and enjoyment runs deep within the group, shaping how they write and collaborate.

“We don’t call a song finished until everyone touches it,” Nick explained. “While someone may spawn the initial idea or blueprint, the house isn’t built until everyone designs their room.”

Bill says that collective respect is exactly why it works.

“We all trust each other enough to serve the songs in our own way.”

What’s Next

Looking ahead, the band shows no signs of slowing down. New music is already in the works.

“Nick and Jason are always writing and we plan to record another EP some time in 2026,” Bill shared, along with hints of upcoming shows and house concerts.

Nick summed it up with trademark enthusiasm:

“Mixtapes to die to Side B!!! Picking out 4 songs of the 1,076 ideas we’re sitting in and recording them.”

Follow & Connect

Fans can keep up with Alabaster Boxer and their latest music, shows, and projects on Facebook and Instagram, stream their albums on all major platforms, or purchase digital releases at alabasterboxer.bandcamp.com. For booking inquiries or house shows, email the band directly at alabasterboxer@gmail.com.

Rooted in Life, Guided by Heart

When it comes to inspiration, the answer is genuine.

“Oh, it’s life 100%,” Nick said. “It’s the journey we’re on… all of that and Lord of The Rings.”

And when asked what advice they’d offer to aspiring musicians, both Nick and Bill returned to the same core idea: authenticity.

“Be exactly who you are because there is only ONE of YOU,” Nick said. “Even failure is still growth.”

“Be true to yourself, choose kindness whenever possible, work hard at what you love,” Bill added. “And it’s okay if your voice/path/vision/plan changes.”

That philosophy, grounded, open-hearted, and deeply human, is exactly what makes Alabaster Boxer resonate. Genre labels aside, this is a band building something real, together.