The Culture Map Interview

Yonder Mountain String Band on Devo and the magic of live music

Yonder Mountain String Band is one of the most aptly named bands around today, especially in the jam band genre. Based outside of Boulder in Nederland, Colorado, the four-person string band has cultivated a devoted following by combining original songs, traditional string band and bluegrass numbers, and pop music covers in their improvisational live shows.

Live show juggernauts, they play a relentless lineup of shows and festivals where their improvisational skills, in-between-song banter and mid-song gibberish outbreaks have endeared them to bluegrass and jam band fans alike. But the band transcends the jam band or bluegrass genre moniker and provides something for everyone at their live shows, which feature lots of dancing in a party atmosphere.

For those unfamiliar with the band’s music, any of the Mountain Tracks live series albums is a good starting point. The albums capture the band in their most natural setting and feature the best of their live shows. In addition to having a knack for improvisation, Yonder displays strong songwriting skills on their studio albums.Some of their most well-known album songs include "Half Moon Rising," "40 Miles from Denver," "At the End of the Day," and "If There's Still Rambling in the Rambler (Let Him Go)."

Recently we spoke with Jeff Austin, singer and mandolin player for Yonder, to discuss his recent musical tastes, the magic of live shows and what festivals he’s excited to play this summer.

Culture Map: What is your favorite venue or city to play?

Jeff Austin: I’ve got to say the Tabernacle in Atlanta is right up there. Red Rocks and Telluride Town Park in Colorado are my favorite spots.

CM: What have you been listening to lately?

JA: Todd Snider. I just get so inspired every time I listen to his stuff.

CM: Yonder plays a lot of cover songs. Which is your favorite?

JA: Lately we’ve been playing "Gut Feeling" by Devo. That song is a blast to sing.

CM: Do you feel a responsibility to carry on the traditional songs and styles of string band/old time/bluegrass music?

JA: I just feel responsible to keep doing what we are doing and keep coming up with new music for the fans.

CM: How has the recent popularity of bluegrass affected the band?

JA: Nothing I really notice; our fans have been loyal for a long time. They've stuck with us through all kinds of trends that have come and gone.

CM: What is it about the extended improvisations or culture of jam band music that you think attracts people?

JA: It's watching musicians being very free in the moment. By being there and being in the moment with them, you can change the course of a show.

CM: Has anything crazy happened on this tour so far?

JA: Haven't hit the road yet! (Editor's note: Yonder played throughout January but has been on break since February 3.) Home time is family time for me. The craziest I get is staying up past 10 pm.

CM: What can concertgoers who haven't attended a Yonder show expect? Anything new for seasoned fans?

JA: We are bringing new music out all the time. We find it very important to keep people engaged.

CM: What is it about playing live that can't be captured in a studio?

JA: That fan reaction is just irreplaceable.

CM: Are y'all working on any new music right now?

JA: Yep, trying to get some stuff in the studio done. But, between touring and life, it's been a little rough.

CM: For those planning their spring or summer concert festival trips, which are you most excited about?

JA:Telluride Bluegrass Festival, All Good and String Summit. But playing outside is just the best. I look forward to it each year.

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Yonder Mountain String Band plays Friday, March 1, at Granada Theater.

Yonder Mountain String Band plays the Granada Theater March 1.

Yonder Mountain String Band (from left): Adam Aijala, Jeff Austin, Dave Johnston, and Ben Kaufman

Photo by Jay Blakesberg

Yonder Mountain String Band plays the Granada Theater March 1.

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Movie Review

Dark comedy Friendship covers male bonding with copious cringing

Photo courtesy of A24

Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in Friendship.

Comedian Tim Robinson has gained a cult following thanks to series like Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave, in which his brand of cringe comedy is on full display. The former Saturday Night Live writer/performer has had a few small movie roles over the years, but he’s now getting his first starring role in the off-kilter Friendship.

Robinson plays Craig, a mild-mannered suburbanite with a wife, Tami (Kate Mara) and son, Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). Craig has a boring life that involves little more than going to his middle manager job while wearing the same clothes day after day, anticipating the next Marvel movie, and helping Tami out with her at-home floral business.

He gets a jolt of energy when Austin (Paul Rudd) moves into the neighborhood. The two men seem to hit it off, with Austin - a weatherman at a local TV channel - even taking Craig on a couple of impromptu adventures. But when Craig commits a couple of faux pas at a group gathering at Austin’s house, their bond starts to fracture.

Even though the film is written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, it’s clear that Robinson had a big influence on the style of comedy it features. There are no big set pieces with a slew of jokes coming one after another. Instead, the film forces the audience to try to vibe with the very particular type of wavelength it’s giving off, one that could almost be called anti-comedy for the way the laughs come out of left field.

The 100-minute film is full of random comedic moments, like Steven kissing Tami on the lips, Craig being obsessed with his plain brown clothes, a group sing-along, and more. More often than not, it’s the way Craig reacts to both normal and abnormal situations that gets the laughs. The character is needy and oblivious, two traits that combine to make many of his actions cringeworthy.

Perhaps most importantly for this type of movie, there are many things in the story that go unexplained or don’t make sense. Seemingly crucial elements are brought up only to fade away just as quickly, while other parts that appeared to be throwaway sections get callbacks later in the film. DeYoung and Robinson are determined to keep the audience on their toes the entire time, never knowing what to expect next.

Robinson has the perfect face for a story like this, one that’s bland enough to blend into the background but memorable enough to sell the jokes. His demeanor is also excellent, never becoming too expressive, even when he gets angry. With long hair, a mustache, and a certain swagger, Rudd is a great complement to Robinson. Only in a film like this would an everyman like Rudd be considered the suave and cool one.

There will be some that will see Friendship and come away wondering what the hell they just watched. But anyone who goes in knowing that they’re about to witness a comedy that challenges their sensibilities will likely have a great time.

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Friendship is now playing in select theaters.

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