Kitchen Dwellers continue to carve out their own lane in the world of progressive roots music, blending bluegrass, folk, and psychedelic grit into a sound as expansive as their Montana home. The Bozeman-born quartet of Shawn Swain (mandolin), Torrin Daniels (banjo), Joe Funk (upright bass), and Max Davies (acoustic guitar) has grown from regional upstarts into one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking bands in modern string music. Their catalog pairs instrumental virtuosity with emotional storytelling, an exploratory spirit, and a deep connection to the American West.
In 2024, Kitchen Dwellers released their latest full-length studio album, Seven Devils, which arrived on March 1 and debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart. The record expanded the band’s creative reach and reinforced their place at the forefront of progressive roots and bluegrass.
The band’s newest release, The Katabatic EP, highlights another side of their creative arc. Recorded in late November 2021 at Mighty Fine Studios in Denver and Peach Street Studios in Bozeman, the three-song EP captures a vivid snapshot of wintertime inspiration in Montana.
Rooted in sweeping landscapes and natural contrasts, the EP blends mythic lyricism, atmospheric instrumental interplay, and a progressive blend of bluegrass, folk, and americana that has become the group’s signature.
The song “Madison” tells the story of a mystified angler on the Madison River, drawing parallels between love and the unpredictable rhythms of fishing. The instrumentals “Mimas and Ida” and “Katabatic” broaden the sonic palette with guest trumpeter Eric "Benny" Bloom of Lettuce, whose brass textures add lift, spark, and momentum. Shifting grooves, evolving tempos, and evocative melodies evoke mountain valleys, windswept terrain, and orbiting moons. The EP was produced by Kitchen Dwellers, mixed by Stephan Gueguen and Max Davies, and mastered by Stephan Gueguen.
Kitchen Dwellers have continued to earn national attention through consistent touring, acclaimed studio work, and an expanding grassroots following. Their studio album discography includes Ghost in the Bottle (2017), Muir Maid (2019), Wise River (2022), and Seven Devils (2024). Collectively, these releases have amassed more than 15 million streams across platforms, with recent NOCO releases accounting for more than 8 million.
Their vibrant live show has taken them to major festivals and iconic stages across the country. The band has performed at Bonnaroo Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass, Under The Big Sky, WinterWonderGrass, Northwest String Summit, and more. They have also achieved career milestones by headlining Red Rocks Amphitheatre and headlining the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Along the way, Kitchen Dwellers have received praise from outlets such as Bluegrass Today, Huffington Post, Relix, American Songwriter, and additional national publications.
Kitchen Dwellers continue to evolve while staying rooted in the landscapes and creative curiosity that shaped them. With Seven Devils marking a major milestone and The Katabatic EP offering a distilled burst of artistic expression, the band remains committed to pushing the boundaries of modern bluegrass and exploring new musical terrain.
