Magnolia Street String Band started in 2013 as an informal project between Matthew Backes and Sheila Shukla and other friends in Highland Park, NJ. Paul Prestopino, Bobby Baxmeyer, Ron Greenstein. Other frequent collaborators include Gary Olyear, Eli Felton, Nick Conte, Will Pable & Dan Whitener.

Since 2014 the band has played a steady stream of shows to ever larger and more appreciative audiences. They have played festival stages, state fairs, hootenannies, honky tonks, breweries, fundraisers, radio shows and more refined events as well. Their music is grounded in traditional bluegrass with elements of cosmic Americana, country, and old-time as well as original compositions mixed in. The band’s sound features powerful three-part harmonies and compelling instrumentals. Overall, their take on bluegrass feels old but relevant, traditional but personal, and well crafted but soulful and direct. Their first full-length album, Wrong Side of the Rain, was released in June, 2019.

“By the Light of the Moon”, a family bluegrass album was released October 4th 2024 and has been well-received. The album was written by Sheila Shukla and family and arranged, produced and performed by Magnolia Street String Band and Bob Harris.