Psychedelic production and punk rock energy meet Celtic traditionalism and bluegrass virtuosity
See the video for first single “Castles In the Air” via Bluegrass Situation
A midwestern stamp on Appalachian [sounds] – NPR’s Mountain Stage
A force on the Minnesota roots music scene and beyond- A Prairie Home Companion
A frenzied string shredding spree that takes audiences under its spell- The Current
Minneapolis’ Pert Near Sandstone has announced newly rescheduled dates across Europe as they ready for the release of their new album Rising Tide due June 12. See tour dates here.
Four years since the band’s last studio release, the remarkable new collection represents an evolution in both sound and spirit, a bold artistic breakthrough that’s been years in the making. The performances captured on the album defy the conventional boundaries of string band music, mixing psychedelic production and punk rock energy with Celtic traditionalism and bluegrass virtuosity, and the lyrics are similarly fierce and self-assured to match, tackling all the fear and loathing of the modern political landscape with sharp insight and biting wit. was recorded with
The band features Justin Bruhn – upright bass, vocals; Kevin Kniebel – banjo, vocals; J Lenz – guitar, vocals, horns & xylophone; Nate Sipe – mandolin, fiddle, vocals; Matt Cartier – clogs; Ryan Young (also of Trampled By Turtles)- fiddle, strings, percussion; Andy Lambert – drums; Sean Roderick, piano; and Olivia Quintanilla – cello.
Crossing Old-time instrumentation with contemporary sensibilities, the Pert Near Sandstone first emerged from Minneapolis in 2007 with their acclaimed debut, Up And Down The River. Over the course of five more studio albums and several live releases, they established themselves as standard-bearers for the versatility and vitality of the Midwestern roots music scene, performing onstage with the likes of Steve Martin and the Flaming Lips and earning dates along the way with everyone from Trampled By Turtles and Del McCoury to Yonder Mountain String Band and Sam Bush.
Festival favorites in both the US and Europe, the band launched their own gathering, the Blue Ox Music Festival, in 2015, hosting Bela Fleck, Tyler Childers, Jerry Douglas, Margo Price, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass, Shovels & Rope, Justin Townes Earle, and many more in Eau Claire, WI.
Album trailer here.