Smart bets: Yonder Mountain String Band

Approaching its 17th anniversary, Yonder Mountain String Band is also celebrating a first: self-producing an album. Black Sheep “sounds more like Yonder than any record we’ve ever done. I’m hoping that when people are finished listening to it, they’ll just hit play and listen to it again,” says bassist and vocalist Ben Kaufmann, adding: “It’s gonna take some time for fans to get acquainted with the new Yonder. … But the band is a force, and the album is such a perfect example of our new direction.” The sonic shift is due in part to a recent lineup change, which swapped founding member and mandolinist Jeff Austin for new talents Allie Kral (violin, vocals) and Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals). Trout Steak Revival opens for the reconfigured quintet at The Orange Peel on Friday, Jan. 29, at 8:30 p.m. $25/$30. theorangepeel.net. Photo courtesy of the band

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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