Cole Quest and The City Pickers

Cole Quest and The City Pickers are a New York City-based folk and bluegrass collective led by banjo player Cole Quest, grandson of legendary folk musician Woody Guthrie. Known for blending traditional Appalachian sounds with gritty urban storytelling, the band celebrates grassroots music while weaving in modern themes like city life and social commentary. Tracks like "In Tall Buildings" and "The Bitcoin Gambler" showcase their knack for pairing twangy instrumentation with witty, relatable lyrics about contemporary struggles.

The group operates as a rotating cast of local musicians, often collaborating at NYC venues like Rockwood Music Hall and maintaining a DIY spirit. Their releases, including *Where I’m From* and *Self [En]Titled*, highlight their commitment to keeping folk traditions alive in a metropolitan setting. A standout cover of Woody Guthrie’s "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key" nods to Cole’s roots while cementing the band’s role in the city’s modern folk revival.

Genres

Bluegrass

Folk

Singer-songwriter

Indie Folk

Country

Americana

Alternative Country

Traditional Folk

Related Artists

Billy Strings

Trampled by Turtles

Greensky Bluegrass

The Dead South

The Infamous Stringdusters

Yonder Mountain String Band

Town Mountain

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

Lady A

Dwight Yoakam

The Steeldrivers

Lake Street Dive

Latest Release

Where I'm From

Cole Quest and The City Pickers

Single - Released June 18, 2025