Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful

"KPB is Tyson Motsenbocker (lead guitar, lead vocals, mandolin, didgeridoo), Joseph Carlson (guitar, lead/back-up vocals, piano, mandolin), A.J. Hanenburg (bass, vocals, harmonica), Scott Sims (banjo, facial expressions), and Nate Swenson (percussion). The camaraderie between these five gentlemen transcends the stage and practice room. Whether it is traveling, smoking pipes, or enjoying nature together, their chemistry is stunningly apparent. Fortunately for the rest of us, that chemistry flows seamlessly into their music as well. Two songwriters (Motsenbocker and Carlson) fashion a perfect balance between a strikingly soft, enchanting acoustic, and an upbeat, toe-tapping sound. Rich harmonies, catchy licks, and melodic solos fuse the best of the alt-pop scene with the melancholy acoustic to create a kind of ambient folk. Banjo, mandolin, and a bit of harmonica contribute to that folky, grass roots feel, while Motsenbocker’s and Carlson’s lyrics tell beautifully realized stories and share the myriad feelings of young men on a journey. Songs like “Colorado” and “Plane Ticket Home” (Motsenbocker) lament the inevitability of moving on, while “Brighten” (Carlson) looks to a hopeful future. The most noticeable and encouraging aspect to KPB is their honesty and transparency concerning issues of God, doubt, and relationships. However, they are able to approach these issues from a finely tuned scope and to keep a wonderfully refreshing perspective on their places in life."

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has performed with the likes of:
Ryan Darbonne
The Lonely Forest
Slowly We Survive
Paul Rannheim of Sittser
Andy Pritiken of Acorn Project
Logan Heftel