Jamgrass, newgrass, funkgrass, whatever you want to call iit— Armchair Boogie is rapidly
becoming one of the country’s hottest acts. With an unbounded sound, this Wisconsin-based
quartet is known for their powerful harmonies, timeless originals, and choice covers, along with
unforgettable live performances. Listed as a “Must-See Roots Artists at Bourbon & Beyond” by
The Bluegrass Situation who wrote, “We recently caught this jammy Wisconsin outfit at Earl
Scruggs Music Festival, where they burnt down their late-night set.”
Armchair Boogie is Augie Dougherty on banjo with Ben Majeska acoustic & electric guitars
backed by tight, driving rhythms of Eli Frieders on electric bass and Denzel Connor on drums.
This unconventional lineup enhances their lightning-fast bluegrass, allowing them to freely
venture into the realms of funk or country. A band on the verge, Armchair Boogie is excited to
independently release their 4th studio recording, Hard Times & Deadlines, on March 15.
Composing these songs around the beginning of the pandemic, Majeska and Dougherty—who
sing lead on the respective songs they wrote—were experiencing the stresses of entering their
late 20s.
Majeska says “Life comes with highs and lows, and Hard Times & Deadlines captures the fleet
of emotions that come with it. From broken hearts and fond memories. To broad horizons and
the inevitable end of this human journey.”
“Hard Times & Deadlines is a pretty literal explanation of what I felt life was turning into,”
Dougherty says. “The fluffy part of college and party life was beginning to fade away and it
seemed like it was time to put my head down and work. “Once the tunes were drafted, they were
brought to the whole band for collaboration. “This is where the tune truly becomes a Boogie
song. Everyone adds their touch of creative input and we’re able to polish it up collectively pretty
quickly,” explains Dougherty.
Pert Near Sandstone
Pert Near Sandstone delivers another album of all original songs, recorded over the harshest months of a midwestern winter. ‘Waiting Days,’ their eighth studio album, has all the strengths of its four songwriters offering responses to each other’s compositions. After almost twenty years together, their music has grown to reflect that of a band of brothers. As longtime stewards of the modern stringband revival, their studio recordings have continuously pulled the genre toward a more contemporary perspective, meditating on the present and rich with reference. This isn’t music reaching for the banality of pop hits, instead they provide fresh air for blades of new grass to grow in. The intimacy of collaboration is at the heart of this album, adding textures of guest artists that reflect Pert Near’s genuine intentions to further the acoustic community that has been their cornerstone.
Privileged with curating and hosting the prestigious Blue Ox Music Festival since it’s creation in 2015, Pert Near performs with infectious energy and an undeniable joy in a unique brand of modern string band music delivered to fans around the world.