TROLLFEST
May 24, 2025
Centennial Hall, Juneau
Join us for a sockeyedelic multi-media celebration of the art and music of Ray Troll. This one-night mini-festival features the original music of three Alaskan Troll family bands: The Heists (bluegrass), Whiskey Class (indie rock), and Ray Troll and the Ratfish Wranglers (psychedelic fish rock). Put on your favorite iconic Ray Troll tee shirt with your shiniest fishy duds to come boogie down with your friends and family at Centennial Hall on Saturday, May 24th. Save the date!
Ray Troll & the Ratfish Wranglers
Ray Troll and the Ratfish Wranglers are a wily bunch of artist-musicians hailing from the coastal town of Ketchikan that play what has been described as “sub-aquatic neo-folk, fish-punk-funk rock.” One never knows who’s going to be ‘wrangled’ into this band of pranksters, but at its core are well-known Alaskan fish artist Ray Troll and his partners in slime Russell Wodehouse, Shauna Lee, Patrick Troll, and Chazz Gist. They put on a fun and uniquely Alaskan show, complete with a “sockeyedelic” light show and a healthy dose of surrealistic humor. They also like to “throw the science in for free,” regaling audiences with tunes about weird and wonderful creatures both living and extinct.
Whiskey Class
Masterfully balancing beckoning vocals, cascading guitar riffs, hypnotic drum breaks, and evocative bass lines, Whiskey Class (Liz Snyder, Patrick Troll, Alex Nelson) captivates with echoing melodies, rippling and crashing upon the souls of our dear listeners. The result is yearning, but not begging. Spirited, but not naive. Other-worldly yet firmly grounded as the listener is guided through a musical hero's journey that feels both familiar and novel.
The Heists
Combine one of the state’s premier mandolin players and tenor bluegrass harmony singers with a rising songwriter, with lyrics that get at the heart of what it means to be raised in Alaska, and you’ve got The Heists. Known for their toe-curling country and bluegrass harmonies, The Heists are currently co-writing their first album. Erin and Andrew Heist share songs and stories from decades of experience playing the bars and backrooms of Alaska’s communities, from Bethel to McCarthy to Salmonfest to Fairbanks, and all along the Milk Run.