Die Fledermaus
Ben Newton- Ukulele, Banjo, and Vocals
Dan Yost- Guitar, Bass, Piano, and Vocals

Die Fledermaus was formed in Seattle Washington in the fall of 2006.

Dan Yost, born in Atlanta Georgia, Schooled in St. Petersburg Florida. Earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Arts, then moved to Seattle the summer of 2006. Through a mutual friend from Philadelphia, (Dan) met Ben Newton.

Ben Newton, born in Phoenix Arizona and grew up in Doylestown Pennsylvania, came to Seattle to join a sketch comedy troupe, An Evening with Wendy Peffercorn. As a part of the writing of sketches, Ben also performed Ukulele numbers with an other troupe member, Asa Fager. After the troupe disbanded, Ben went on to pursue music by picking up a Deering Banjo.

Ben and Dan found a strong common interest in Steve Martin, John Swartzwelder, whiskey, PBR, and women. Since Ben played the banjo and ukulele, and Dan played the guitar and bass, it was unanimous that they began to write and perform music together. Initially the idea was to form a death metal band called Die Fledermaus; However, seeing how acoustic guitar, banjo, and ukulele are hardly “metal” Ben and Dan settled on Folk.

After the first Album, Bottom of the Jug, was finished, cello (and sometimes trumpet) became a regular addition to the musical repertoire. Thus, creating the genre Chamber-Grass.

Dan Yost - “Rugged, self-assured, adult, these are the words that describe the man who wears a mustache. Yes, it says to the world, ‘I’m a man of action!’”

Ben Newton - “I’m the biggest toughest sonovabitch in the room. Granted I’m the only guy in the room. And it’s a pretty tiny room. Needs vacuuming. The walls are kind of dirty. Well, now I’m depressed.”

Guests, musicians, and writers include but are not limited to:
David van Wert, Marie Shoemaker, Joe Borgous, Konstantine Avakyan, Dan Lorin, Asa Fager, and Andy Campbell

Photos by: Rob Bergquist (painting photo), Ashley Oaas (Live photos), George Masters (Bellevue 4th performance)

Website by: David Van Wert