Pert Near Sandstone

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pert Near Sandstone is rooted in the American string-band tradition, steering it toward contemporary bluegrass infused with old‑time, folk and Americana. Formed in the mid‑2000s, the band initially circulated on the Midwest roots scene before establishing itself on the North American bluegrass and folk circuits. Pert Near Sandstone released a self-titled debut in 2007, followed by No City Limits (2010), Waiting Days (2013) and Discovery of Honey (2016) — milestones in a trajectory where songwriting gradually gained greater prominence alongside instrumental playing. The lineup included founding member Ryan Young, later associated with Trampled by Turtles, who remained close to Pert Near Sandstone as a sound engineer and co-producer. Today, built around J Lenz, Justin Bruhn, Nate Sipe and Kevin Kniebel, Pert Near Sandstone cultivates a tight acoustic sound driven by vocal harmonies, brisk tempos and the interplay between fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and double bass.