Article Contributed by IVPR
Published on December 3, 2025
Pert Near Sandstone’s ethos leans more punk than folk, but that shouldn’t come as any surprise considering they share a hometown with the likes of The Replacements, Husker Du, and Babes in Toyland. For two decades now, the band has made music on their own terms, true to their own roots, all while pushing boundaries of what “old time” and “bluegrass” music can be. Their upcoming album Side by Side, as the title suggests, is a testimony to Pert Near’s spirit of forming kinship rather than competition, shown in their artistic vision and their dedication to stewardship of the musical community. As far as string bands go, that’s about as punk as it gets.
Pert Near’s long-standing creative process of combining four individual singer/songwriters into one cohesive project has organically produced a signature style that reaches new heights on Side by Side. There is an emotional intelligence that resonates through these songs courtesy of the diverse writing and vocal stylings. Sometimes playful, at other times raw and unfettered, never trying to trick the listener but instead to entice camaraderie. It’s clear these individual songwriters—J Lenz, Justin Bruhn, Nate Sipe, and Kevin Kniebel—are at ease making music together. Independently recorded and co-produced by Ryan Young of Trampled By Turtles, the recording of the band’s ninth studio album finds its members comfortable working with one of their founding members and frequent sound engineer in Young. “Ryan has a wizard’s ear and command of the console to capture what we’re aiming to do in the studio,” says Sipe. “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.”
Today, Pert Near Sandstone released the first single and titular track from Side by Side. While the band’s songs are primarily arranged for their on-stage performances, Pert Near took creative liberty to push past those constraints in the studio for this record, and particularly for this tune, “Side by Side,” where Patrick Harrison, aka Patty Buttons, joins the group on accordion. Along with Sipe on Irish tenor banjo, this unique arrangement provides a fresh anthem to their repertoire while reaffirming the collective spirit of festivals and friendships. Born from a love of the Irish folk tradition, the message is hopeful, both in a personal and broader societal sense. “It’s something I feel very strongly about right now in the divisive world we live in today,” Lenz says. “It’s an anthem about overcoming adversity and looking at the world in a new light as a new day dawns.”
Fans can stream or purchase “Side by Side” today and stay up to date on the album ahead of its February 27th release right here. For more information, please visit pertnearsandstone.com.
Pert Near Sandstone have two shows left in 2025: this Thursday, December 4th, at Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Duluth, Minnesota, and a very special hometown play at Minneapolis music scene stalwart First Avenue on December 5th. Tickets can be purchased at pertnearsandstone.com/tour.
Side by Side Tracklist:
Pipe Dream
Side by Side
Shooting Star
Quiet Hours
Chuck Will’s Widow
Last Call Man
Racin’ to the Grave
Grace
Rise and Shine
Sonnyboy
