Photo By Lauren Slusher

Urban banjo-mavens Spirit Family Reunion (based in Brooklyn and sound like the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains) are finally ready to release their debut LP, and we couldn't be more excited. We've got the first track, "I Am Following The Sound," as an exclusive premiere, and it's a foot-stomper-- violin and banjo duelin', guitar wielding piece of fiery folk-sy freshness.

Their live show is renowned for being super high-energy-- full of stomps, claps, hoots and hollers-- a feat you can experience yourself at their buffet of planned live dates this summer. They are making their Newport Folk Festival debut on 7/28 and it was just announced they'll be playing Celebrate Brooklyn this year in Prospect Park (Brooklyn, NY). The new album includes an awesome Dave Van Ronk cover ("Green Green Rocky Road") as well as the intricate, essential songwriting of main maven Nick Panken.

The album, titled No Separation, is out on 6/15. It was recorded in Brooklyn and Richmond, VA with the aid of "bike shop mechanic and recording engineer Andrew Gerhan," which is a pretty awesome double credit.

Download "I Am Following The Sound" below and stay tuned for more on SFR.



Check out a video of the band:



Spirit Family Reunion on Tour:

5/11 - TomTom Festival Charlottesville, VA
5/12 - Mercury Lounge New York, NY
5/21 - Jammin' Java Vienna, VA
5/24 - D.B.A. New Orleans, LA
5/25 - Alabama Music Box Mobile, AL
5/26 - Gip's Place Bessemer, AL
5/27 - Flying Monkey Art Space Huntsville, AL
5/28 - Sluggo's Chattanooga, TN
5/31 - The Get Down Asheville, NC
6/01 - Morelock Music Knoxville, TN
6/02 - Saxapahaw Rivermill Series Saxapahaw, NC
6/03 - The Pinhook Durham, NC
6/04 - Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar Charlottesville, VA
6/06 - Bayside Bowl Portland, ME
6/07 - The Oak and the Ax Biddeford, ME
6/09 - Billsville House Concerts Williamstown, MA
6/16 - Colony Cafe Woodstock, NY
7/26 - FloydFest Floyd, VA
7/27 - FloydFest Floyd, VA
7/28 - Newport Folk Festival Newport, RI
8/08 - Celebrate Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY
9/21 - Fresh Grass Festival at Mass MoCA North Adams, MA