Sweetgum, comprised of musicians Steve Buckalew, from left, Gwen Stimely and Bill Stetz, will perform at Ellen Chapel on Saturday.

LEWISTOWN — Sweetgum might be a relatively new band, but its sound is shaped by decades of shared musical history among its three members.

The State College-based trio will bring its harmony-driven blend of folk and bluegrass to Ellen Chapel Church in Lewistown for its Live Music Series on Saturday featuring original songs, select covers and close-knit vocal arrangements.

Sweetgum is made up of banjo player and vocalist Gwen Stimely; guitarist, fiddler and vocalist Steve Buckalew; and upright bassist and vocalist Bill Stetz. Though the trio has been performing together under the Sweetgum name for about two years, all three musicians have longstanding connections through Central Pennsylvania’s acoustic music scene, including performances with both the Poe Valley Troubadours and the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners.

Those shared musical roots helped make Sweetgum feel like a natural collaboration rather than a brand-new project. Each member brings experience from multiple genres and ensembles, giving the trio a depth that belies its relatively short time together.

Sweetgum took shape during the pandemic, when live performances paused and musicians turned inward creatively. Stimely and Buckalew began recording music together at home, initially without a long-term plan. “With the pandemic, Steve and I started recording some stuff at home and it snowballed,” Stimely said.

The recordings grew into a larger project when friend, producer and recording engineer Marc Prave offered to help turn Stimely’s original songs into a full-length album. What began as a modest idea evolved into a five-year recording process that is now nearing completion. Buckalew and Stetz also appear on the album, further cementing Sweetgum as both a recording and performing group. As the project developed, the musicians realized they had created something that didn’t quite fit into their other bands.

Sweetgum became an outlet for songs that leaned more heavily on harmonies and storytelling than on traditional instrumental showcases. The trio describes its sound as “folkgrass,” a hybrid of folk music and bluegrass with an old-time sensibility. Sweetgum centers its performances around vocal interplay as well as instrumental breaks.

All three members sing, blending their voices into tight harmonies that place lyrics and songwriting front and center. On stage, Stimely leads on banjo and vocals, Buckalew alternates between guitar and fiddle while singing harmony and lead, and Stetz anchors the sound with upright bass and vocals. Their setlists are built primarily around Stimely’s original songs, complemented by thoughtfully chosen covers from artists such as The Beatles and Steve Earle, reinterpreted in the band’s acoustic style.

Though Sweetgum itself is still a young project, its members are seasoned performers. Buckalew and Stetz have played professionally for many years, with backgrounds spanning jazz, rock, folk and bluegrass. Stimely credits the encouragement and support of fellow musicians for helping her grow into performing and songwriting roles she once doubted she could fill.

“I never really thought I could play,” she said. “I started playing with other people.” That sense of community proved important early in her songwriting career.

In 2009, Stimely won the Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest for her song “Central Pennsylvania Moon,” an experience she says gave her the confidence and motivation to continue writing and sharing her work.

Sweetgum’s upcoming performance will mark the band’s first appearance at Ellen Chapel Church, located at 11798 Ferguson Valley Road in Lewistown. The concert will feature two sets, beginning at 6:30 and 7:50 p.m., with refreshments served during the 7:30 intermission.

While Sweetgum is new to the venue, all three musicians have performed in Lewistown previously through their work with the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners. With its emphasis on harmonies, original songwriting, and understated musicianship, Sweetgum is well suited to the intimate setting of Ellen Chapel. The concert offers audiences a chance to hear experienced musicians exploring a shared musical space that feels both familiar and newly formed.

For more information about Sweetgum, find them on Facebook.