Even though often called a “newgrass” or jam band, the Lil Smokies’ high-energy acoustic music has evolved into its own distinctive sound on their fourth and latest studio album, Break of the Tide, which finds them emerging from the Covid lockdown stronger than ever.

“Sort of a fusion of lyric-driven folk music, pop harmonies and bluegrass instruments” is the way Montana native and band founder Andy Dunnigan describes the Lil Smokies music, which also evokes contemporary country-folk-rock groups like Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers.