Looking for a new bluegrass band to dive into? The Mountain Grass Unit has you covered.
If you are a fan of bluegrass in any capacity, but especially if you have found yourself getting into the newer crop of bluegrass musicians like Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, who are revitalizing the genre and bringing a fervent bluegrass fever to a younger fan base, then The Mountain Grass Unit needs to be at the top of your list to check out.
The young bluegrass trio out of Birmingham, Alabama may be relatively unknown at the moment, but ever since the release of their debut record Places I’ve Been in July 2022, their name has become increasingly known amongst bluegrass fans throughout the Southeast. And as they prepare to embark on their first national tour this summer, these guys are bound to turn heads everywhere they play and gain the attention of a much larger audience.
With Drury Anderson (mandolin/lead vocals) and Luke Black (guitar) both attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, The Mountain Grass Unit is far from just a few young friends who got together to form a band and learn as they go. Quite literally students of the genre, Anderson and Black not only possess the innate, creative ability to thrive in the bluegrass world, but they are also actively honing the technical aspects of their craft, and as a result bring a different background and approach to their music than others might.
And with fellow Birmingham native Sam Wilson rounding out the trio on upright bass, who is a phenom of a musician in his own right, The Mountain Grass Unit is one of the most talented up and coming acts in all of music. And their impressive debut project Places I’ve Been is a force to be reckoned with.
The eight track record not only showcases how wildly impressive each member is on their respective instruments, but Places I’ve Been is also highlighted by sonically mesmerizing harmonies and a deft lyricism and storytelling ability that makes it hard to believe these guys are so young. Simultaneously paying homage to bluegrass legends like Tony Rice and today’s stars like Billy Strings, all while implementing influences from a diverse array of genres that include rock and jazz, as well as their love for the Grateful Dead, Mountain Grass Unit has created a special sound that deserves to be heard by the masses.
And somethin tells me that’ll happen before too long.
So without further ado, here is the tracklist and a couple of my favorites from Places I’ve Been.
“Shoot The Gun”
“Another Day in Disguise”
“Jericho”
“Either End”
“Same Ole Moon”
“Shays’ Rebellion”
“Boundary Waters”
“Tate’s Hell”
And while we’re at it, check out “Where I Land,” off of their 2021 three-track EP Where I Land.
If you like what you’re hearing, then you’re in luck, because Mountain Grass Unit is nearing the start of their first national tour this summer, with 37 shows scheduled across 19 states. If they are coming to a venue near you, go check out their live set and be prepared to have your mind blown by their heavily improvisational brand of bluegrass.
See their tour dates below:
May 20 – Crawfish For A Cause – Charlotte, NC
May 21 – The Palm Room – Wrightsville Beach, NC
June 14 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA
June 16 – French Broad Brewery – Asheville, NC
June 17 – Rudy Fest – Grayson, KY
June 20 – Schubas Tavern – Chicago, IL
June 21 – The Garden Theater – Frankfort, MI
June 23 – Rumba Cafe – Columbus, OH
June 24 – North 2nd Tap & Bottle – Hamilton, OH
June 24 – Whimmydiddle Country Music Festival – Hamilton, OH
June 26 – Club Cafe – Pittsburgh, PA
June 27 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
June 29 – High Sierra Music Festival – Quincy, CA
July 1 – The Peach Fest Music Festival – Scranton, PA
July 4 – 4th Of July Festival – Huntsville, AL
July 6 – Station Inn – Nashville, TN
July 7 – Boone Saloon – Boone, NC
July 8 – The Caverns – Pelham, TN
July 22 – Heist Barrel Arts – Charlotte, NC
July 23 – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC
July 25 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
July 26 – Martin’s Downtown – Roanoke, VA
July 28 – The Burl – Lexington, KY
July 29 – Blueberry Hill Duck Room – St. Louis, MO
July 30 – Knuckleheads Gospel Lounge – Kansas City, MO
August 2 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
August 4 – Madame Lou’s – Seattle, WA
August 5-6 – Pickathon – Happy Valley, OR
August 8 – The Coop – Columbia Falls, MT
August 9 – The Rialto – Bozeman, MT
August 11 – Globe Hall – Denver, CO
August 12 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO
August 13 – Lulu’s Downstairs – Manitou Springs, CO
August 15 – Slowdown – Omaha, NE
August 16 – xBK – Des Moines, IA
August 17 – Rose Music Hall – Columbia, MO
August 18 – Hernando’s Hide-A-Way – Memphis, TN