Jam Central Station 07.25.09: Yonder Mountain String Band
Posted by Jeff Modzelewski on 07.25.2009
With their unique take on bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band have developed quite a following. This week we take a look at exactly why a guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo work so well together.
Welcome back to Jam Central Station, your one-stop internet shop for anyone who loves to spend a little time with Mary Jane, Molly, or Lucy. We have some great videos this week, some big news, and an in-depth look at one of the fastest rising bands on the jam scene over the past ten years. So put down whatever it is your smoking and let's dive right in.
Yonder Mountain String Band is a group that originally formed, not based primarily on talent or even similar musical tastes, but simply on the basis of opportunity. Banjoist Dave Johnston found out that his friend Jeff Austin happened to own a mandolin, which he had never actually played. Instead of encouraging Austin to take lessons or even study the instrument, Johnston simply invited Austin to come play with his current band, The Bluegrassholes. Johnston's only requirement was that Austin play "loud and fast." And that, believe it or not, is how Yonder Mountain String Band got their start.
It wasn't too long before Johnston and Austin moved from Illinois to Colorado. It was in Colorado that Johnston and Austin met Ben Kaufmann and Adam Aijala. These four officially formed Yonder Mountain String Band in the winter of 1998. They began playing small venues in Colorado, and their progressive take on traditional bluegrass music soon earned them a substantial following. They released their debut album less than a year after forming, 1999's Elevation. The album was released on Frog Pad Records, a label that the band founded for their releases. The success of Elevation allowed the band to begin touring outside of the West, and their taper-friendly policies quickly expanded their fan base. They became known for their high energy live performances, their unconventional approach to bluegrass, and their humor on stage. They followed up Elevation with the live album Mountain Tracks Vol. 1, the first in a series of live releases.
Their second studio album, 2001's Town by Town, continued to raise the profile of the band, but they saw their first showing on the bluegrass music charts with their second live release, Mountain Tracks Vol. 2. The album was released on the String Cheese Incident's record label, SCI Fidelity, and charted at #11 on the bluegrass charts. The band began hitting the summer music festival circuit on a regular basis, playing early slots at major festivals, and they were major draws at smaller regional festivals.
The band's following grew steadily following the release of Mountain Tracks Vol. 2.Old Hands, their next studio album, was released in 2003. This album consisted of tracks written primarily by bluegrass writer and musician Benny Galloway. The album hit #5 on the bluegrass charts and also made it onto the country music charts. The next to releases in the band's Mountain Tracks serious also charted high on the bluegrass charts and made the country charts. Their 2006 self-titled album hit #1 on the Bluegrass charts, along with charting on the Country and Independent charts.
Yonder Mountain String Band continues to be a very successful touring band. They regularly sell out theatres throughout the U.S., and have even sold out shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in their home state of Colorado. They have played in prominent spots at both the Bonnaroo and Rothbury Music Festivals, and they have headlined smaller festivals such as Wakarusa. Their exciting take on traditional bluegrass music has created a new fan base for this genre, and they're showing no signs of slowing down their touring schedule. The band is set to release their newest studio album, The Show on September 1st, and they're hitting the road again in mid August for another tour.
First off, we have Yonder Mountain String Band and Phish's Jeff Fishman from Rothbury 2008
And a good-quality version of Yonder doing "Angel"
It's pretty hard to go wrong with a Pink Floyd cover, and here's YMSB with "Goodbye Blue Sky" from my current home back in 2006
Next we have Buddy Guy and Jeff Coffin joining Umphrey's McGee from back in December
And, finally, in honor of the announcement of the Halloween Phestival, here's my favorite Phish cover, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Phish Phestival Officially Set for California
Phish has officially confirmed what was long suspected, that their 3-day festival will be held in Indio, California (which also hosts the annual Coachella Festival.) The event, scheduled for Halloween weekend, is rumored to include 8 sets: 2 on Friday, and 3 on Saturday and Sunday. The group has also confirmed that they will be donning a musical mask on Halloween, covering an album in its entirety as one of their sets. Tickets are $199, and go on sale Monday. Also, limited on-site camping is available for $15/car. You can find all the necessary information here. If anyone wants to fly me out to Cali to cover this event, I would appreciate it. 411Mania's jet is unfortunately in need of some repairs.
Attend All Points West for Free!
Interested in attending next weekend's All Points West Festival, but don't have the money to make it? Sign up to volunteer and earn a free ticket! That's right, volunteers at this year's All Points West receive a free ticket and a shirt, all in exchange for working 15 hours. Not a bad deal to see artists like Tool, Coldplay, Neko Case, Jay Z, The Black Keys, and many others. You can sign up here. Enjoy the show!
Jam in the Dam 2010 a Go!
Start saving folks, because, after a year off, Jam in the Dam will return in 2010. The event will be held March 21-23 in beautiful (and substance-friendly) Amsterdam. As of right now, the lineup includes Les Claypool, Umphrey's McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, New Mastersounds, and The Bridge. The show will feature an extended set from every band every night, along with collaborations between artists. Tickets go on sale July 29th, and travel packages will be available by checking out the website. Oh, to have that much disposable income and no responsibilities…
Grace Potter to Play Route 29 Revue
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Old Crowe Medicine Show, and Iron and Wine are set to play this year's Route 29 Revue in Columbia, MD. The show will be on August 16 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Tickets start at $35 for this all-day event, and are available at Ticketmaster.
Les Claypool, Bassnectar, Shpongle to play Symbiosis Gathering
Les Claypool, Bassnectar, and Shpongle are set to play this year's Symbiosis Gathering in California. The event is billed as a "synaesthesia of art, music, transformational learning, and sustainable living integrated into an unparalleled extravaganza of fun under the Northern California skies." To me, it just sounds like a good time. The event is set for September 17-21, and tickets are on sale now.
First off, I want to give a big "Thank You" to my Infobury buddy J.R. for the new graphics for the site. He helped me with my Rothbury review along with the original graphic for this column. So a big thanks to him for that.
I'm anxiously awaiting next weekend, since I will be traveling over to Noblesville, Indiana for two nights of the Dave Matthews Band at Deer Creek! I'm planning on camping with some friends at Green Acres Campgrounds, so if you're going to be at the show, please look for me. Good times will be had by all. This show is going to pretty much be the bookend on my summer music fun, so I'm planning on having a very good time.
Other than that, I'm planning on also being right here next week for another in-depth look at the jam band scene. Hope you had fun, and, until next week, Jam On!
