Missoula, Mont.
New Twists on Old Ideas

The Lil’ Smokies’ origins date back to 2008 when the group’s members met at a University of Montana party and stayed up all night pickin’ standards. “I was in a creative writing program that I never quite finished after meeting the boys,” says Andy Dunnigan, the band’s dobroist, vocalist and primary songwriter. At first, the ensemble only played cover songs in bars around Missoula—they became The Lil’ Smokies after devouring a plate of mini cocktail links in the green room at a show. Come 2013, the group began performing originals, entering the Northwest String Summit Band Competition that same year and taking home a win; in 2015, they won the Telluride Bluegrass Festival contest, and, this winter, they will spend time on the road opening for Yonder Mountain String Band. Although the instrumentation is classic bluegrass, the band’s sound incorporates pop, jam elements and Crosby, Stills & Nash-inspired harmonies. “Greensky Bluegrass, Infamous Stringdusters, Punch Brothers—we’re all doing new twists on an old idea, as far as bluegrass goes,” says Dunnigan. The quintet is working on its second studio album, but the live show is what has continued to propel them. “There’s a rawness to our live performances and there’s a risk factor,” says Dunnigan. “We’re having a lot of fun right now.”