Event

Pert' Near Sandstone

St. Paul, Minn. Local string band Pert Near Sandstone describe themselves as both "new-timey" and "old-timey." Whatever they are, the band sure gets toes tapping with their hard-driving bluegrass. Pert near Sandstone keep things fresh and contemporary by incorporating elements of jazz, blues, and klezmer, and switching up lyrics to traditional folk songs. With four studio albums under their belt, Pert Near Sandstone recently covered the Beatles' "I Am the Walrus" for the Minnesota Beatles Project, Volume 2. Pert Near Sandstone stopped by The Current studios and performed 3 songs for The Local Show. Songs performed: "Rocky Raccoon," "Misery," and "I am the Walrus."

pertnearsandstone.com/

Sweetgrass

SweetGrass is a Wisconsin-based bluegrass quintet uniting the traditions of American roots music with youthful creativity. Their playful temperament, energetic live performances and diverse original repertoire have earned them attention and respect beyond the Midwest's premiere festival and club circles. With an affinity to raise a ruckus in barrooms and the ability to serenade crowds in lawn chairs, it's no wonder why they're making waves wherever they go simply put, SweetGrass IS the people's band. SweetGrass cut their teeth busking on the street corners of Madison, and in the process conjured a multigenerational bluegrass following almost instantly. In 2009 they became MBOTMA's (Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association) "Race for a Place" champions, catapulting them onto the festival scene. Last summer they were runners-up at RockyGrass in Lyons, Colorado and supported Blue Highway at the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival (IBMA nominated "Event of the Year" three times). SweetGrass has also shared the stage with the Infamous Stringdusters, Bearfoot, Greensky Bluegrass, Bruce Molsky & Big Hoedown, Danny Paisley and SouthernGrass, The Gibson Brothers, Pert' Near Sandstone and more.

http://www.myspace.com/sweetgrasspickin