The Last Wild Buffalo on career, community and connection

The Last Wild Buffalo vaguely defines themselves as Americana, influenced by bands like the Avett Brothers. Utah natives Troy Lybbert, Ella Celaya, Jonny Celaya and Isaac Woodruff officially began composing and performing together in June 2024, closing the year off with 116 shows played.

Q: What prompted you all to pursue music?

Troy, upright bass: I just grew up in a house full of music. My dad grew up in San Francisco in the ‘80s, which was this glory era for classic rock and blues and jazz. He has been to so many concerts his eardrums are blown out. I grew up listening to classic rock, blues, jazz and heavy metal — I just grew up listening to all this super raw, authentic music. That’s where the love for it came for me. We talk about the risk we took and the courage it took, and we just drew off of each other. We all kind of sat down and decided this is what we wanted to do. None of us could have done it without the other person. 

Ella, vocals/fiddle: When I was really young, I latched on to these old and traditional genres. They just made me want to sing all the time. I was put into fiddle lessons when I was four. I played the piano as well. Isaac, our guitarist, taught me how to play the guitar when I was 14 or 15. I think it helped that we grew up together. It was motivating for me to see Jonny and Isaac grow into their musical craft — it made me want to get better. There’s a certain motivation behind us always being together and being so close. I feel like I know a lot of bands where band members are kind of hired on, and it makes a big difference. 

Kaden, manager: I’m going to try my best to give you an answer from the perspective of Jonny and Isaac, who really founded the band. They grew up together — they were childhood neighbors who always played music. When they were kids, they made a promise that they would go to college together and start a punk rock band. They started the band with no drummer in elementary or middle school, parted ways, then wound up at Utah State. To call it a labor of love is kind of misrepresenting it — they would not be doing anything else. If they have free time, it’s spent thinking about or making music. 

Q: What kind of styles do The Last Wild Buffalo focus on?

Troy: One of my favorite things about us and our story is where we draw inspiration from. If you really dive into each of us as musicians, it’s really spread out across every single genre. From punk rock to super traditional bluegrass to heavy metal — even hip hop and R&B. That’s one of my favorite things — when we’re driving around or hanging out, sharing music with each other. 

Ella: I would classify us as Americana, but we pull from a lot of different styles. Instrumentally it’s fiddle, banjo, guitar, kick drum, hi-hats and stand-up bass. 

Q: How do you guys manage your career in college?

Kaden: We were going full force at this about a year and a half ago up at Utah State, and we started to think about this exact question. Our first take at a do-it-yourself tour was to see if we can make this happen. We drove out in an RV to Arkansas and Missouri, and we really loved it, but there was a moment on that trip where we thought, “If we’re going to do this, why not do it at 100% for one year and see what happens?” Troy, Jonny and I actually put a pause to school. We did decide, ultimately, to put all our eggs into one basket. 

Q: Where do you see The Last Wild Buffalo taking you?

Ella: Well, I’m pretty young right now. I plan on letting music be as big of a part of my life as it can be, whether that means I’m a mom who teaches music lessons or I’m just a person who sits on the porch and likes to play music and sing. I’ve always had this perspective, but now that I’m a part of The Last Wild Buffalo, it’s changed how amazing things can be when you’re not doing it alone. 

Troy: The reality is, regardless of whether or not we’re in a band, I think every single one of us is going to play music to whatever capacity we can. If I really get down to see where this is going, it’s a medium to connect with people on a deeper level and for it to provide us a way to experience the world and experience with people. This last year, going all in, I’ve experienced more than I have in my whole life. I’ve met more people and connected with them on a deeper level through music. 

Kaden: At the end of the day, the chapter we’re targeting right now is we’re taking the band very seriously. Music is a part of everybody’s life. 

Q: What is your favorite part of performing or composing?

Troy: It’s the ability to connect with people. This last year is probably the hardest I’ve ever worked but the most rewarding and fulfilled I’ve felt. It’s a super fun thing.

Ella: It depends on the day. Sometimes, my favorite part is writing music with everybody. More often than not, my favorite part is writing music by myself and bringing it to the band. 

Kaden: The biggest thing for me is the aspect of connection and community. To be able to watch individuals come in and to visibly and even spiritually feel connected to the room is just something that is so cool. I think it’s unique to live music and particularly in these smaller venues where you get very intimate with these crowds. There’s a different message to be heard depending on who you are and what phase you’re in.