Tin Toy Cars -

Tin Toy Cars is a mandolin fronted Indie-Americana band from Las Vegas, founded by songwriter Peter Fand, a New York native who originally migrated to Las Vegas as a cast member of Cirque du Soleil. Following a path paved by groups such as The Punch Brothers, Mumford and Sons, and Old Crow Medicine Show, Tin Toy Cars is the next chapter in a genre with roots in traditional music, but with a firm vision for the future. 

They first emerged on the scene in 2016 with the release of their debut album “Falling, Rust and Bones,” which was launched by “The Bluegrass Situation.” That record started at #17 on the AAA charts in it’s very first week, and enjoyed airplay in every region of the country. It garnered support from major media/press outlets such as NPR, Huffington Post, Vents Magazine, Elmore Magazine, The Las Vegas Review Journal and countless others.

With mandolin, violin, banjo, guitar and upright bass, one might expect bluegrass or something with an old time slant, but add the compositional drumming of Aaron Guidry, (Cirque du Soleil), and a song writing approach more in line with Paul Simon than Bill Monroe, and a new image begins to emerge. 
 
The two decades that Fand spent working in the Traditional West African music world, dashing back and forth to Guinea and Mali, lend the songs in this band an intriguing slant, with a nod to something other-worldly. Meanwhile, compelling tales unfold through lyric, with contagious sing-along phrases in the most unexpected places. This music is set off by a high level of instrumental virtuosity from violinist Martin St-Pierre of Montreal (Cirque du Soleil – Mystere), guitarist Andrew Chute, and several other local heavy-hitters as guest performers.