YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND IN CONCERT:
Yonder Mountain String Band has been a beloved source of boot-stomping, barn-burning bluegrass music ever since its inception in the late '90s. At their live shows the group peppers their progressive bluegrass numbers with improvisational flourishes reminiscent of jam bands like Phish, making for a rollicking concert experience that's never short on surprises. Original mandolin player Jeff Austin is no longer with the band but founding members Dave Johnston (banjo), Adam Aijala (guitar), and Ben Kaufman (bass) are still as sharp as ever, enlisting the help of a talented array of additional instrumentalists at their live shows. Whether they're fingerpicking their way through originals like "All the Time" or offering up creative covers of classics like "Jolene", Yonder Mountain String Band always delivers an authentic bluegrass experience anchored in stellar musicianship and no-frills fun.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Yonder Mountain String Band formed in Nederland, CO in 1998 after banjoist Dave Johnston and singer Jeff Austin, who previously played together in The Bluegrassholes, joined forces with bassist Ben Kaufman and guitarist Adam Aijala. The band made a name for themselves with their unique bluegrass-meets-jam band sound, and in 1999 they self-released their debut album Elevation. They quickly built a fanbase with their electrifying live performances, and in 2000 they kicked off a string of live releases with the album Mountain Tracks: Volume 1, which was recorded over two nights at the Fox Theater in Boulder, CO. Since then they've been a constant presence on the bluegrass charts, making six Top 5 appearances including the chart-topping albums Mountain Tracks: Volume 5 (2008) and The Show (2009). In 2014 Austin left the band due to creative differences, but the group's stellar performances in his absence have left little doubt in fans' minds that Yonder Mountain String Band remains at the height of its powers.
