From the heart of Hays, Kansas, comes 80 Proof Alice, a trio blending bluegrass tradition with modern storytelling and small-town grit. What began as a casual duo performing at local gigs has evolved into one of Kansas’s most dynamic and heartfelt bluegrass acts. A solid proof that sometimes the best things really do come “from nowhere.”

The Origins of 80 Proof Alice

The band’s name traces back to the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, where founding members Aimee and Jason Riegel camped for years alongside a colorful cast of festival friends. One of those was an older woman named Alice, whose rare but enthusiastic encounter with 80-proof moonshine earned her an affectionate nickname that would later stick.

“We joked at the time that ‘80 Proof Alice’ would make a good band name,” recalls Aimee. “The next day, a friend asked if we wanted to play a gig at a pumpkin patch in Dorrance, Kansas. We agreed and decided that’s what we’d call ourselves.”

“80 Proof Alice is just as much a state of mind as it is a band name. Everybody has an Alice inside themselves, fighting to break out. We hope people come to our shows and let a little of their own Alice out into the wild.”

— Jason Riegel

Initially performing as a duo, with Aimee on guitar and Jason on banjo, they occasionally brought in Jason’s father for shows. But the turning point came in 2018, when they met guitarist Tyson Lesage, who had just moved to the area and was looking for some musicians to jam with. By 2023, Aimee had transitioned to upright bass, and the trio officially solidified their sound as a band. “Tyson began introducing us to his original music, and then we all started writing our own music. We released our first EP in March 2024.” Aimee recalled.

Building Bluegrass Roots in Western Kansas

When the Riegels moved from Lawrence to Hays in 2013, they found the local music scene surprisingly quiet. Instead of waiting for opportunities, they created them. They founded the Lovegrass Music Festival at Wilson State Park in 2017. Lovegrass Music Festival is a three-day event that has become a beacon for bluegrass lovers across the region.

“Western Kansas didn’t have much bluegrass at the time,” says Aimee. “Through Lovegrass, we’ve been able to introduce the style to people who may not have realized how much they’d enjoy it.”

That same grassroots spirit is what shapes the band’s sound today, with a blend of Kansas authenticity, family-driven creativity, and the open, inclusive energy of the bluegrass community.

Finding the Band’s Voice

The trio realized their chemistry was special during a fall camping trip in 2023. Tyson began teaching the group his original song “Gravity Fall”, and the creative spark was undeniable. “The complexity of the music, the dynamic changes, and the opportunity for harmony singing really excited me,” Aimee recalls. “I knew we had something special brewing.”

For Tyson, the magic came through steady growth rather than a single defining moment. “It’s been the continuation of getting together over the past couple of years, playing music, and reflecting on our progress,” he explained. “Hearing that evolution now makes me realize the pursuit is truly worthwhile.”

From the Stage to the Studio

After their 2024 self-titled debut EP, 80 Proof Alice took their sound to the next level with Live at Wave, a surprise live album recorded during their opening set for North Carolina’s Fireside Collective. Originally meant to be just a video shoot, the live recordings captured the band’s raw energy so perfectly that they decided to release them.

Their next studio project, From Nowhere, represents both evolution and homecoming. “We wanted to create an album that gave listeners an authentic glimpse of our sound,” says Aimee. “The title speaks to both our rural roots and the feeling of emerging onto the Kansas bluegrass scene ‘from nowhere.’”

Songwriting and Storytelling

Each member brings a distinct approach to songwriting. Aimee starts with lyrics inspired by emotion, Tyson builds from riffs and melodies, and Jason often crafts instrumental compositions rooted in bluegrass tradition.

Their songs reflect personal connection and small-town life. For example, “Strength in Song”, which Aimee wrote after a moving weekend jam session. “That song came from pure emotion,” she says. “Playing it live for the first time, I got a little choked up.”

Tyson’s “From Nowhere” carries the spirit of Kansas farmland and family legacy. “I had a vivid dream about my grandpa,” he explains. “Both my dad and granddad were farmers, and the song came from imagining a walk with him through the family farm.”

A Modern Take on a Timeless Sound

While their roots are deeply traditional, 80 Proof Alice doesn’t shy away from fresh influences. “Our style blends some ‘90s pop and rock with soul and country,” Aimee explains. “Tyson’s guitar often leans toward classic rock tones, while Jason’s Scruggs-style banjo keeps that authentic bluegrass core.”

Aimee said her music influence began while she and Jason were still living in Lawrence, Kansas. “One of my favorite local bands to see live was Split Lip Rayfield,” she recalled. “Once I started going with Jason to the Walnut Valley Festival in 2007, I wanted to join in on more jams.” To make that happen, she decided to teach herself guitar.

Tyson has been playing music for more than 25 years. “I’m drawn to bluegrass by how easy it is to get a jam together,” he said. “I had a hard rock band in high school, which was really fun, but I hadn’t been able to find anyone to play with consistently until I met Aimee and Jason. With bluegrass, I don’t need to lug around a bunch of equipment—I just need my guitar.” He added that his early influences came from “the classic rock and metal music that was played on the radio at the time,” which continues to shape his playing style today.

Jason admits he often plays the role of the band’s “bluegrass purist,” making sure they honor tradition while still exploring new ideas. He grew up around bluegrass—his father, Jeff Riegel, was a central Kansas picker who could play just about anything with strings. “I really started getting into it in my late teens,” Jason said. “I traded my electric guitar for a banjo, and that was that.” Jason also adds, “I think we all bring a unique set of influences to the band, and that challenges each one of us to think outside the box a bit.”

“Bluegrass is a style, not a song. We are out to prove that.”

— Jason Riegel

When it comes to choosing covers for their live sets, the trio takes a flexible but intentional approach. Aimee said she doesn’t think any song is off limits, it just depends on whether it fits her vocal range. “I think you can put a bluegrass twist on just about any tune,” she said. “I really enjoy singing cover songs with a lot of soul and bluesy feeling.” For Tyson, the key is connection. “If I’m going to play and sing a cover song, it has to be one that I really enjoy,” he explained. “It takes me a long time to memorize lyrics, so I have to be committed to the song to make it work live.” Jason added that bluegrass is “a style, not a song,” and the band aims to prove that. “Sometimes it just doesn’t work quite right—the rhythm dictates what we can or can’t cover. When you hear The Beatles’ ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face,’ you can hear the country and folk influences and why it’d make a great bluegrass cover. The next track on Help! is ‘Yesterday,’ which is clearly a much tougher song to ‘grass up.’”

Live Energy and Audience Connection

Fans describe 80 Proof Alice’s performances as joyful, powerful, and deeply human. When it comes to connecting with the crowd, the trio focuses on feeding off the energy they create together on stage. “I find it is best to really get into our own music while on stage, move around, dance, and just feel the music,” Aimee said. “That helps the crowd get engaged in the music too. We really have a blast performing, and that energy radiates to the crowd.”

Tyson added that the audience’s enthusiasm often helps fuel the moment. “Most times the crowd is a little buzzed, so that helps a little,” he said. “But throwing down some fast-paced banjo tunes always seems to keep the crowd engaged.” However, Jason believes the connection runs even deeper. “First off, it’s about relatable songs,” he said. “Tyson and Aimee are able to verbalize and connect to the human condition through their lyrics, and that’s an incredibly hard feat. ‘Measure of a Man’ is a perfect example of this.”

Carrying Kansas Bluegrass Forward

Despite being far from the Appalachian heartland, 80 Proof Alice proudly carries the torch for Kansas bluegrass. “Kansas has a small but mighty bluegrass community,” says Aimee. “We’re excited to be part of that and share our version of Kansas Bluegrass across the Midwest.”

Their recent festival performances, including the band’s dream appearance at Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, have helped spread that message far beyond their hometown.

Looking Ahead

As they move into 2026, the band plans to continue writing, touring, and pushing creative boundaries. Aimee hopes to finish several in-progress songs, Tyson wants to deepen his musicianship, and Jason aims to master new banjo styles. Together, they’re focused on recording again, and on keeping their musical fire alive.

“I hope people feel joy in our music and feel part of something bigger,” says Aimee.
“Find your inner Alice,” adds Jason. “She’s in there.”

Discover more local artists like 80 Proof Alice via Loud and Heavy Booking.

80 Proof Alice: Finding Strength in Song and Spirit in Small-Town Kansas