Photo by: Ed Coyle
Bozeman, Montana-based neo-bluegrass band, raconteurs and outdoor enthusiasts, Kitchen Dwellers have announced their third, full-length album Wise River and are thrilled to share the title track off the record. “Wise River” follows 2021’s release and collaboration with Backline to raise mental health awareness. “Stand At Ease” was inspired by the many mental health issues throughout the music industry, “It’s about losing a lot of our friends and idols,” says Joe Funk. Wise River was produced by Cory Wong (Vulfpeck) and is due out everywhere on April 29.
In “Wise River,” banjo brushes up against acoustic guitar as visuals of a “lonely river town where the barfly knows you best,” “the ghosts of miners,” and a place “where the snow can fall like cannonballs and lonesome wind blows bitter.”
The quartet—Shawn Swain [Mandolin], Torrin Daniels [banjo], Joe Funk [upright bass], and Max Davies [acoustic guitar]—twist bluegrass, folk, and rock through a kaleidoscope of homegrown stories, rich mythology, American west wanderlust, and psychedelic hues.
After amassing 5 million-plus streams, selling out shows, and receiving acclaim from Huffington Post, Relix, American Songwriter, and more, the group brings audiences back to Big Sky Country on their third full-length album.
“The town of Wise River is basically a forgotten spot on the map,” Shawn says. “It used to be a thriving place with many prosperous mines, but now it’s practically dried up. There’s a hell of a lot of melancholy. In our mind, it symbolizes the overall feeling of being in slowed-down Montana life.”
Among the many natural wonders in Montana, Wise River runs for about 30 miles through the Southwestern region of the state, cutting through the mountains and flowing into the Big Hole River. Beyond being a favorite spot for fly fishermen, it remains etched into the topography of the land itself. Two hours away in Bozeman, Kitchen Dwellers equally embody the spirit and soul of their home with a sonic palette as expansive as Montana’s vistas.
The band has already announced several tour dates including their first appearance at the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival as well as appearances at venues and festivals across the country including WinterWonderGrass, Sweetwater 420 Fest, Tuck Fest, Bear Shadow, Domefest, Summer Camp Music Festival, Electric Forest, Northwest String Summit, FloydFest, RiverWonderGrass, and many more to be announced. This month they will be on the road supporting Leftover Salmon for several shows across the west coast.
KITCHEN DWELLERS ON TOUR
Feb 9 @ Historic Ashland Armory | Ashland, OR *
Feb 10 @ Sessions Music Hall | Eugene, OR*
Feb 11 @ Revolution Hall | Portland, OR*
Feb 12 @ Neptune Theatre | Seattle, WA*
Feb 16 @ Domino Room | Bend, OR
Feb 17 @ CSU Chico – Laxson Auditorium | Chico, CA
Feb 18 @ Felton Music Hall | Felton, CA*
Feb 19 @ The Independent | San Francisco, CA*
Feb 20 @ The Independent | San Francisco, CA*
Feb 25-27 @ WinterWonderGrass | Steamboat Springs, CO
Apr 1-3 @ WinterWonderGrass Tahoe | Olympic Valley, CA
Apr 8 @ WINSTONS | San Diego, CA
Apr 5 @ The Mint | Los Angeles, CA
Apr 29 @ Tuck Fest | Charlotte, SC
Apr 30 @ Sweetwater 420 Fest | Atlanta, GA
May 1 @ Bear Shadow | Highlands, NC
May 19-21 @ Domefest | Thornville, OH
May 27-29 @ Summer Camp Music Festival | Chillicothe, IL
June 15-19 @ Telluride Bluegrass Festival | Telluride, CO
June 23-26 @ Electric Forest Festival | Rothbury, MI
June 30-July 3 @ Dream Mountain Bluegrass Festival | Albright, WV
July 15-16 @ The Boogiedown Music Festival | Yuba, WI
July 27-31 @ FloydFest | Floyd, VA
Aug 1-4 @ RiverWonderGrass | Jensen, UT
* Supporting Leftover Salmon
