They’re back! Twisting and bending their sound has been a trademark of the Yonder Mountain String Band—never playing the same set list twice, in addition to their Jam Band, bluegrass numbers, the band often covers songs like Ozzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train,” and the Talking Heads’ “Girlfriend is Better.” Their fan base keeps right on growing, as it will when they appear once again at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts on Wednesday, June 11 at 8 p.m.
The Yonder Mountain String Band is Adam Aijala, guitar; Jeff Austin, mandolin; Dave Johnston, banjo and Ben Kaufmann, bass. Fusing traditional elements and modern techniques on their self-titled album, the leadoff cut, “Sidewalk Stars” appropriately and perfectly captures their spirit, closing the gap between bluegrass and rock. Its dueling electric guitar/banjo solo section, “How About You?” has the goods to turn people on to a new way of thinking about how a banjo can be played. “There are places where the banjo and mandolin become rock instruments,” says Kaufman. “’Angel,’ meanwhile could be dubbed ‘hard-folk,’ a song where we draw from personal influences that bridge—for us—our love of heavier rock music with lyrical imagery that’s clearly traditional.” Can you hardly wait?
For tickets ($45/$35) and further information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office at 203-438-5795; tickets may also be purchased online at www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street.
