Cabin Fever NW: Press

2008 Winter Folk Festival Review

The final act prior to the afternoon headliner concert was a remarkable duo from Washington State, Cabin Fever NW, two women playing guitars and banjo and singing covers like John Prine’s Make Me An Angel and Townes Van Zandt’s If I Needed You and originals—all in perfect, striking harmony. One original, Yellow Mustang, had been played on NPR’s popular show Car Talk, and another about great aunt MaryAlice was printed in an edition of Sing Out, the longtime folk music magazine. The women sang a gospel, We Will Shall All Be Reunited, and concluded with the rousing folk-bluegrass-gospel-country standard, I’ll Fly Away.

The lyrics and musical score for their song, "Mary Alice" was printed in the summer 2007 edition of Sing Out! magazine and included in their sampler CD sent to select radio stations and sustaining members.

"Canadian-born, Bellingham-based Tara Wolfe penned this loving song about her great aunt's courtship with a young fiddle player. The two went on the marry, and after Mary Alice learned to play the fiddle from her husband, they performed together throughout Alberta, Canada. Tara and musical partner Dianne Bochsler comprise the duo Cabin Fever NW, based in Washington State. "Mary ALice" is on their third self-released CD, "The Door Is Always Open". "

CD: The Door Is Always Open
Band: Cabin Fever NW


OK, I’ll admit it. I’ve got a few years on our regular music reviewers, plus I’m from Indiana. So when a copy of The Door Is Always Open appeared at the Whatcom Independent and we popped it into the CD player, my feet started tapping and much to the dismay of my fellow reporters, I started humming along. Acoustic guitar and banjo. Songs with a story line, no yelling or swearing, nice harmony. My kinda music. Thank you Dianne Bochsler and Tara Wolfe for this holiday treat produced right here in Bellingham at Bayside Recording. Some of the songs could have been written 100 years ago or just this year, as many of the selections have been. A few of the songs will remind you of the sound track of “Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?” Others, like “Yellow Mustang” are a wonderful blend of 60’s car tunes and the country songs you hear on the radio driving through South Dakota. Others have the timeless themes of all good folk music – leaving home, starting over, regretting a lost love.

All will make you wish it was a balmy day in July and, with a bottle of nice wine and a blanket, you were headed out to a grassy field to listen to Cabin Fever NW in person. Fortunately, since its soggy blanket season, you have alternatives. The CD is now available throughout the county and Dianne and Tara are having a CD release party this week. Even if you aren’t a bit over the hill or from Indiana, go hear them. I’ll bet you’ll soon be humming along, too.

Cabin Fever NW - The Door Is Always Open

This third release from Cabin Fever NW is a classic album for anyone who yearns for more folk, bluegrass and country in their life. This 13-track release is overflowing with simple guitar and banjo sounds intertwined with harmonies from the female vocalists.

Their sound is similar to EmmyLou Harris or The Indigo Girls. Influences could be recent or old school as their sound is hard to put into one time period. The lyrics get your mind going as they sing about serious issues such as relationships, love and sorrow. The harmonies of vocalists Dianne Bochsler and Tara Wolfe are perfected and their sound seems like they have been singing together for years. Seems as though the two have a very close relationship and listening to their album gives listeners a familiar, warm tone.

The Door Is Always Open is a must have if you love country and bluegrass. Bellingham is lucky to have such a talented duo just down the street.