Sometimes, a song just won’t sit still.
When I first wrote Interstellar Wanderer, it came together as a moody, synthwave track — all pulsing synths, dreamy arpeggios, and cosmic atmosphere. Inspired by the recent discovery of an interstellar object passing through our solar system, the song captured the awe and mystery of a visitor from beyond the stars.
But as I sat with the lyrics, I realized… this story doesn’t have to stay floating out in space. There’s something universal — and very down-to-earth — about wondering where we come from, and what might be out there watching us. And what better way to tell a universal story than with the raw honesty of bluegrass?
The Acoustic Journey
So I stripped the song down to its bones — just the words and the melody — and rebuilt it with acoustic instruments and a bluegrass heart. The result is a rootsy, foot-tapping, back porch version of Interstellar Wanderer that brings the cosmos right into your living room.
Meet the Pickers:
🎻 Adam Sweet — Fiddle & Mandolin (yours truly)
🎸 Pete Basinger — Guitar
🎤 John Reil — Banjo
🎶 Sarah McIntyre — Upright Bass
These talented folks brought warmth, energy, and just the right amount of mystery to the track. The banjo rolls hint at the object's steady drift, the fiddle lines echo the vast unknown, and the upright bass keeps everything grounded — just like Earth itself.
A Space Story with Roots
Even though the lyrics are still about a lonely traveler from the edges of the void, the bluegrass version feels like you're sitting by a campfire under the stars, telling stories about what lies beyond. It’s a reminder that even as we dream about the stars, our feet are still planted right here in the dirt.
Want to take a listen?
🎧 Interstellar Wanderer (Bluegrass Version): https://tinyurl.com/InterstellarWandererBG
Curious how the song came together? Get the full Behind the Scenes of the original and this acoustic version here:
🎛 https://tinyurl.com/BTSInterstellarWandererBG
Thanks for listening — and wherever you are, keep looking up.