Pert Near Sandstone

Pert Near has long been the standard bearer of Minnesota stringband music. Their energetic performances have greatly influenced the midwest music scene and beyond, all the while supporting others with their genuinely spirit of community.

Crossing Old-time instrumentation with contemporary sensibilities, Pert Near Sandstone emerged twenty years ago from the Minnesota acoustic music scene. With infectious energy and collaborative spirit, they have established themselves as standard-bearers for the vitality of the Midwestern roots music scene and alongside Minnesota brethren Trampled By Turtles and Charlie Parr. They have toured extensively and performed onstage with the likes of Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas, earning dates along the way with everyone from Yonder Mountain String Band to Steve Martin. NPR's Mountain Stage praised the band for putting a "Midwestern stamp on Appalachian [sounds]," while A Prairie Home Companion described Pert Near Sandstone as “a force on the Minnesota roots music scene and beyond,” and 89.3 The Current praised their live performances as "a frenzied string shredding spree that takes audiences under its spell."

Pert Near has always made music their own way. For two decades this multi-voiced group of songwriters has created original music that beguiles their acoustic instrumentation. The bluegrass genre has grown broad since their beginnings in “the heart of the heartland,” as they describe their Minnesota origins. The band continually creates music that's true to their roots while still sonically experimenting in a way that pushes the boundaries of what "old time and bluegrass music" can be. In an industry that discovers and devourers the next pop icon, Pert Near remains steadfast and comfortable in the fringes. Their ethos is more punk than folk, but that shouldn't come to any surprise being that they share a hometown with the likes of The Replacements, Husker Du, and Babes in Toyland. Performing and recording with a determination that kee