The Steppers
The Steppers are a fast-picking, hard-driving psychedelic string-band based out of
Oklahoma City, OK. Featuring Jake Tobey on guitar, Theran Lantz on mandolin, Lawson
Popejoy on bass, and Danny Spain on banjo. The band pulls inspiration from their
eclectic musical tastes and injects them into the string-band format; pushing it into sonic
territory that labels and genres couldn't possibly do justice. The songs of The Steppers
call upon an array of human emotions and experiences intertwined with a clever and
versatile musicality
Live is where The Steppers thrive. Every time the band takes the stage they tap into
flow states and almost telepathic synergy to deliver a performance consisting of the
band's thoughtful, hard-hitting songwriting and re-imagined covers, all fused with
exploratory and daring improvisations.
Herbage Magazine had this to say after an evening at a show: “The Steppers are a
blast of good medicine to the soul. They’re interested in chasing the next connection.
The kind of musical moment where you lock eyes with your friend mid-song and think,
‘Yep... this is it. Right here.’”
The Steppers formed in 2023, when life-long friends Jake Tobey, Theran Lantz and
Lawson Popejoy decided to take their long history of jamming and newfound
songwriting abilities out of their living rooms and into the world. They started out playing
at Lawson’s parent’s flower shop in the band’s hometown of Pauls Valley, OK. They
would refine their sound in bars, poolsides, pizza parlors all over the state; taking
anything they could get. The band would go on to gain more traction and become a
touring act in just two years, having played shows in Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas,
Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, with no signs of slowing down.
Oklahoma City, OK. Featuring Jake Tobey on guitar, Theran Lantz on mandolin, Lawson
Popejoy on bass, and Danny Spain on banjo. The band pulls inspiration from their
eclectic musical tastes and injects them into the string-band format; pushing it into sonic
territory that labels and genres couldn't possibly do justice. The songs of The Steppers
call upon an array of human emotions and experiences intertwined with a clever and
versatile musicality
Live is where The Steppers thrive. Every time the band takes the stage they tap into
flow states and almost telepathic synergy to deliver a performance consisting of the
band's thoughtful, hard-hitting songwriting and re-imagined covers, all fused with
exploratory and daring improvisations.
Herbage Magazine had this to say after an evening at a show: “The Steppers are a
blast of good medicine to the soul. They’re interested in chasing the next connection.
The kind of musical moment where you lock eyes with your friend mid-song and think,
‘Yep... this is it. Right here.’”
The Steppers formed in 2023, when life-long friends Jake Tobey, Theran Lantz and
Lawson Popejoy decided to take their long history of jamming and newfound
songwriting abilities out of their living rooms and into the world. They started out playing
at Lawson’s parent’s flower shop in the band’s hometown of Pauls Valley, OK. They
would refine their sound in bars, poolsides, pizza parlors all over the state; taking
anything they could get. The band would go on to gain more traction and become a
touring act in just two years, having played shows in Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas,
Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, with no signs of slowing down.
They have opened for acts like Arkansauce and Pretend Friend. The band has tapped into
the festival circuit, having taken stage at fests that have included bands like Greensky
Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, Mountain Grass Unit, Del
McCoury, and more. In late 2025 the band added a fourth member, Danny Spain, on
banjo, to round out their sound even further.
The Steppers look forward to a long future of creativity, connection and expression on
the road. The band looks ahead with eager eyes and open hearts to see what awaits
them around the next bend, across the next river and over the next mountain. The band
invites you to join them in the ever expanding revelry.
the festival circuit, having taken stage at fests that have included bands like Greensky
Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, Mountain Grass Unit, Del
McCoury, and more. In late 2025 the band added a fourth member, Danny Spain, on
banjo, to round out their sound even further.
The Steppers look forward to a long future of creativity, connection and expression on
the road. The band looks ahead with eager eyes and open hearts to see what awaits
them around the next bend, across the next river and over the next mountain. The band
invites you to join them in the ever expanding revelry.