Pert Near Sandstone Details New Album ‘Side By Side’

Minnesota-based string band Pert Near Sandstone will release their next album, Side By Side, on February 27. The foursome shared the title track lead single off their ninth full-length studio effort.

Pert Near Sandstone – guitarist J Lenz, bassist Justin Bruhn, mandolinist/fiddler Nate Sipe and clawhammer banjo player Kevin Kniebel – recruited Ryan Young, of fellow Minnesota-based string band Trampled by Turtles, to record and produce Side By Side. Young, who was Pert Near Sandstone’s original fiddler, also worked with the band on their 2023 album, Waiting Days.

“Ryan has a wizard’s ear and command of the console to capture what we’re aiming to do in the studio,” Sipe stated. “He has a great instinct for production and what to add to help complete our vision for each song, either by mixing or in musical accoutrement.”

Sipe played Irish tenor banjo on “Side By Side.” The title track also features guest accordion player Patrick Harrison (Patty Buttons).

Stream “Side By Side” below:

Side by Side Tracklist:

1. Pipe Dream
2. Side by Side
3. Shooting Star
4. Quiet Hours
5. Chuck Will’s Widow
6. Last Call Man
7. Racin’ to the Grave
8. Grace
9. Rise and Shine
10. Sonnyboy

Pert Near Sandstone will round out the year with two home state shows this week, taking the stage at Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth on Thursday, December 4 and playing in front of a hometown audience at First Avenue in Minneapolis on Friday, December 5.

A limited allotment of vinyl editions of Side By Side will be available to purchase at the upcoming home state concerts.

Pert Near Sandstone will host the 12th edition of the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin next June.