Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-08-05
Michigan bluegrass band Full Cord will release its new single, “How a Muse Gets By,” featuring Billy Strings, on Friday, August 7.
The track marks the second collaboration between the longtime friends and the second release from FCBS, a special two-song, seven-inch vinyl record set to debut August 28 at the Ionia Freak Fair.
Built on loping bluegrass rhythms, playful lyrics, and an ethereal instrumental jam, “How a Muse Gets By” features Brian Oberlin on mandolin and vocals, Eric Langejans on guitar and vocals, Chase Potter on fiddle and vocals, Max Allard on banjo, and Todd Kirchner on bass.
Billy Strings contributes guitar, including a sweet-toned solo during the song’s extended jam. The recording was engineered by Glenn Brown.
Oberlin originally conceived the piece as an instrumental fiddle tune titled “Chasing the Nines,” inspired by legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble and his tendency to use the ninth as a pivot note while improvising.
“Soon after I wrote this melody, the lyrics arrived unannounced and definitely have a John Hartford-style bounce,” Oberlin says.
The song grew from a question Oberlin first posed to a pair of songwriting friends: What do muses do when they are not inspiring people?
“They didn’t oblige, so I tried my hand at the challenge,” he says. “The answers are endless, but in this case, the moon, universe, Michigan beaches, and a lovely lady are prevalent.”
The track follows the May 29 release of “Hubris Came to Town,” the first side of the forthcoming FCBS seven-inch. The band describes that hard-driving song as “metalgrass.”
The vinyl release will be available in multiple variants and includes both “Hubris Came to Town” and “How a Muse Gets By,” with Billy Strings featured on guitar.
Listen to “How a Muse Gets By” HERE.
“How a Muse Gets By” Credits
Written by Brian Oberlin
Todd Kirchner – Bass
Eric Langejans – Guitar and vocals
Brian Oberlin – Mandolin and vocals
Chase Potter – Fiddle and vocals
Max Allard – Banjo
Billy Strings – Guitar
Engineered by Glenn Brown
Graphic design by Phan Gear Prints
FCBS Tracklist
1. “Hubris Came to Town”
2. “How a Muse Gets By” featuring Billy Strings
Full Cord 2026 Tour Dates
August 15 – Lake Leelanau, MI – Bluestone Vineyards – Free admission
August 21 – Grand Haven, MI – Grand Haven Free Fridays – Free admission
August 22 – Lansing, MI – Fishstock Americana Festival 2026
August 28–29 – Ionia, MI – Ionia Freak Fair 2026
August 30 – Grand Rapids, MI – “Shakedown Sunday” with Full Cord Bluegrass
September 18–19 – Baldwin, MI – Pick’n in the Pines 2026
September 18 – Michigan City, IN – Burn ’Em Brewing
September 26 – Northport, MI – Leelanau Uncaged – Free admission
October 7 – Roanoke, VA – The Spot on Kirk
October 8 – Hagerstown, MD – Hub City Vinyl
October 9 – Wakeman, OH – River Dog Retreat
October 28 – Wilmington, NC – Live at Ted’s
October 30 – Black Mountain, NC – An Evening With Full Cord at Pisgah Brewing
For tickets and additional information, visit Full Cord’s official website.
