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AJ Montana Keyser has been writing songs since the age of 11 and playing open mikes since the age of 15. They’ve embraced music throughout their entire life, performing professionally for over eight years.

When Keyser first started releasing songs, they did so under their birth name. Their personal and musical journey changed in July 2022 during a trip to Bozeman, Montana, where they completely embraced their identity and came out as non-binary.

Keyser now performs under their chosen name, including with their band Montana Sand. The band, formed shortly after (and named as a tribute to) that Bozeman trip, features Keyser on vocals, guitar, and banjo; Beth Kammersgard on bass; Chris Wright on drums; and Phil Broste on pedal steel.

The group draws from a diverse range of musical influences, including country, folk, rock, bluegrass, and roots music. In addition to Colorado, the band has performed in Texas, Montana, California, Florida, and New Mexico.

Keyser has always loved collaborating with others, frequently gathering other musicians and book authors together to write songs. For them, performing in a group allows them to bounce energy off each other, creating an environment that can’t be recreated playing solo.

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Organizer Stephanie Andelman joins The Mountain-Ear Podcast to talk about the upcoming 2025 celebration of the Nederland Jazz and Wine Festival!

Thank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below!

If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact our editor at info@themountainear.com and/or our podcast host at media@themountainear.com!

Head to our website for all of the latest news from peak to peak!

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE and use the coupon code PODCAST for A 10% DISCOUNT for ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS!

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Guitarist Brian Blaser jokes that five years ago, he didn’t even know how to spell the word “bluegrass.” His music tastes focused primarily on alternative and electric rock, playing in a group that performed songs from artists like the Allman Brothers, Phish, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam.

One night, at a local bluegrass pick, Blaser met a young banjo player, Sean McFarland, and the two discussed their live performances. The two talked about McFarland sitting in for a gig from Blaser’s band, and while Blaser felt unsure if a banjo would fit in that particular band, he invited McFarland to the gig.

Within the week, Blaser’s band broke up due to internal forces unknown to him. Instead of telling McFarland that the band no longer existed, Blaser assembled a new group of people. From this collection of musicians came the foundations of Smörgåsgrass. To this day, Blaser and McFarland agree to disagree on who asked who about McFarland jumping in.

The name came from the band’s original bass player, Franziska Zenhäusern, who often brought in a smörgåsbord of food during practices. Not only does the band name apply for that personal reason, but it has also become representative of the band’s ever-changing and always flexible lineup. Blaser, McFarland, and harmonica (or “mouth fiddle”) player Alex Medler have been consistent members since its foundation.

Thank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below!

If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact our editor at info@themountainear.com and/or our podcast host at media@themountainear.com!

Head to our website for all of the latest news from peak to peak!

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE and use the coupon code PODCAST for A 10% DISCOUNT for ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS!

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