Out Today: Armchair Boogie Releases ‘Hard Times & Deadlines’

Armchair Boogie’s Hard Times & Deadlines
Out Today

stream/buy here → https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/hard-times–deadlines 

MADISON, Wis. — Jamgrass, newgrass, funkgrass, whatever you want to call it—Armchair Boogie is rapidly becoming one of the country’s hottest acts. Armchair Boogie offers a funked up spin on bluegrass with their unconventional lineup of drums and electric bass backing acoustic/electric guitar and banjo. With an unbounded sound, this Wisconsin-based quartet is known for their powerful harmonies, timeless originals, and choice covers, along with their enthusiastic live performances.

Hard Times & Deadlines, their fourth studio album, is available now. The ten original songs that make up this collection were recorded and mixed by Jeffrey Peterson at Lunar Lava Audio in Fort Atkinson, WI and mastered by Collin Jordan. With Hard Times & Deadlines they want to help you boogie down in your living room, your car, on your phone, or wherever you listen to music when you’re not at a show. 

Armchair Boogie is Augie Dougherty on banjo and Ben Majeska acoustic and electric guitars backed by tight, driving rhythms of Eli Frieders on electric bass and Denzel Connor on drums. This high energy quartet has been on the rise in the festival and bluegrass music communitie since their formation in 2015, after meeting and forming on the front porch of their college home of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. The members all moved to Madison around 2017, releasing their debut album in 2018. Much of the material for this album was written during the early days of the pandemic and reflects their passion in managing life’s realities while also allowing room for nostalgic toasts and memories. A band on the verge, the good word of the Boogie continues to spread like wildfire.

Kind Words about Armchair Boogie and Hard Times & Deadlines:

“Defined by a jam-driven grassy funk and harmonies that soar, the band have blazed their own trail, building a following without a label but with a razor sharp focus on their future.”
—Goldmine, Ray Chelstowski 

“Both lead-off tracks ‘Hard Times,’ & ‘Livin’’ are fuel-injected, gutsy & lively creations with some humorous lyrics that take a back seat to the fiery performance of the fast & loose musicians. ‘Boneyard,’ even has an early 60s song humor & sounds like an outtake from Dante & the Evergreens after they recorded their hit ‘Alley-Oop.’ But nothing on this CD is novelty-oriented.” 
—Americana Highways, John Apice

 “the album clearly qualifies them as a band not only with an infectious sound but also an ample supply of wit and wisdom to go along with it”  
—Bluegrass Today, Lee Zimmerman

“Melding indie rock fervour with the intricate fretwork of bluegrass, the band steer their way through both genres without slowing and manage to come out on the other side with something unique and wholly their own.”
—Alan Cackett (UK)

“an unorthodox combo for the bluegrass world. But it works for them and their growing fanbase of Armchair Boogie enthusiasts”
—Bluegrass Today, John Lawless

“On… ‘Livin’…, Armchair Boogie question the point of it all, and whether life is in fact all that good at all.  Ridiculous, of course, as one can easily refute the posed question “what’s the use of livin’ if the livin’ really ain’t that good?” by pointing out that the combination of fast paced banjo giving way (wait long enough, it really does) to a funky electric guitar boogie coda is surely as good a reason as any to embrace life. —AmericanaUK, Jonathan Aird

“The funky aspect of their music is most vivid in the horn slathered ‘Low Down Time’ while the closing ‘Boneyard’ with its upbeat music, much like the opener, disguises downcast lyrics, in this case a sarcastic view of life’s finality. Yet, Armchair Boogie’s unbounded energy and unabashed contagious enthusiasm prevail on anything they play or sing about.” 
 —Country Standard Time, Jim Hynes

“In my experience, some of the best songs are written to completion (or almost) within a few hours of starting. That’s what happened with ‘Gone in a Day.’ When you feel strongly about the subject matter, ideas tend to flow with far less second guessing. There was no rush, but all the feelings, words, and melodies were at the ready. It also didn’t take long at all to think of adding in our friend Jeremy Garrett on the fiddle to take it to new heights. We think it’ll be just as smooth a listen as it was to put together.”
—Ben Majeska says to The Bluegrass Situation

These songs [in Hard Times & Deadlines] look at the struggles and inevitable end of life, while the music works to lift us up and keep us going. There is some great playing and wonderful grooves on these tracks.” —Michael Doherty’s Music Log

“Majeska’s ‘Skippin’ Town’…  is essentially a tuneful tip of the hat to nigh-universal bacchanalian, ageless examples of youth. This one has some rockin’ musical moments and must work well with live audiences.”
—Will Phoenix, Now Playing: Track by Track Review

“unpredictably delightful” —Northwest Bluegrass Music Association

“This act of collaboration is what cemented these songs as Armchair Boogie material, as the band tapped into the fluid, communal playing style that has made it a rising name on the festival circuit.”
—Live For Live Music, Michael Broerman – Song Premiere

“Armchair Boogie Showcase Lightning-fast Bluegrass Chops and Strong Lyricism on ‘Liquor Store’”
—Glide Magazine Song Premiere

“Hard Times & Deadlines, the new release from the Wisconsin based jam-grass band Armchair Boogie is an enjoyable album that combines banjo dominated bluegrass influence with rock and jam band sensibility. What makes it more interesting, is that their songs often tend toward philosophical lyrics.”
—WVIA, The Graham Album Reviews, George Graham

Debuted at #44 on The Alt Country Specialty Chart Top 50 this week!

“A funkadelic,
boot-stompin’ bluegrass boogie
Borrow happiness”
—”Livin’” Haiku Review, Gary Schwind

”… uproarious, debaucherous like I’ve been transported to the Wild West and I’m in a saloon, throwing back shots. It has a timeless feeling and an uncanny ability to transport you to a different place.” 
—Jammin’ on The Grass [Aaron Stein Interviews Ben Majeska]

“Tinkering and playing off of one another’s music and ideas has shaped many songs in Armchair Boogie’s repertoire, and often the memories that come from these days feed into what their favorite songs to perform together are… Similar to how jazz musicians play, learning how and being able to play with improvisation keeps the brain active, and creates entirely unique sounds, such as with their new song “Skippin’ Town.’”
—Ion Indie Magazine [Kira Doman Interviews Augie Doherty]

Getting To Know Armchair Boogie [All That Jam Interviews Ben Majeska]

Hear more from Ben as he talks with WSUM’s GreenArrowRadio about Saturday’s hometown album release show at Stoughton Opera House.

Visit www.armchairboogiemusic.com for a full list of tour dates, and keep up with their adventures on facebook.com/armchairboogieboys and instagram.com/armchairboogieboys.

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Armchair Boogie Release ‘The Hobbit’ Inspired Single “What’s the good in living, if the living really isn’t that good?”

Armchair Boogie Independently Releases 4th Studio Recording  Hard Times & Deadlines Out March 15

Armchair Boogie. Photo by Dan Waterman

New Single “Livin’” Out Today! Stream here→ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/livin

“Defined by a jam-driven grassy funk and harmonies that soar, the band have blazed their own trail, building a following without a label but with a razor sharp focus on their future.”
—Goldmine, Ray Chelstowski (Interview with Ben Majeska)

“Wisconsin’s Armchair Boogie brings another taste of their independent newgrass sound to the fore with today’s release of a new single, ‘Livin’’” —Bluegrass Today, John Lawless

“’Livin’’.. has that delicious, fast bluegrass pace and features a whole lot of great playing. ‘I don’t want to tell you how to live/What’s the good in living/If the living really isn’t that good?’ Well, with music like this playing, the living is pretty damn good. This track contains some playful moments which make the living seem even better….The guitar becomes electric, and we find ourselves in the middle of a funky bluegrass jam that I just don’t want to end.” 
—Michael Doherty

Click to Presave Hard Times & Deadlines

MADISON, Wis. — Armchair Boogie independently releases Hard Times & Deadlines March 15. Their unconventional lineup of banjo with acoustic & electric guitars backed by tight, driving rhythms on electric bass and drums enhances Armchair Boogie’s lightning-fast bluegrass, allowing them to freely venture into the realms of funk or country. 

Buckle up, their newest single, “Livin’” is a high energy ride with plenty of twists and turns. The kind of tune that puts the boogie in the armchair! 

“Livin’” features banjoist Augie Dougherty‘s characteristic fast-talking vocal wit on this electrifying song that was inspired by a quote from The Hobbit: “What’s the good in living, if the living really isn’t that good?”  Augie says, “I’m talking about all the juicy parts of life here—parties, love & lust, the forest, friends…The good stuff.” 

Along with Dougherty on banjo, Armchair Boogie is Ben Majeska acoustic and electric guitars backed by tight, driving rhythms of Eli Frieders on electric bass, and Denzel Connor on drums.

This high energy jamgrass/newgrass/funkgrass—whatever you want to call it—quartet has been on the rise in the festival scene since their formation in 2015, after meeting and forming on the front porch of their college home of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. They released their first album in 2018 after moving to Madison in the years prior, followed by another in 2019 and an EP in 2021. 

Self-produced, Hard Times & Deadlines shows a maturing of the band’s songwriting and musical capabilities. Much of the material for this album was written during the early days of the pandemic and reflects their passion in managing life’s realities while also allowing room for nostalgic toasts and memories—Majeska and Dougherty sing lead on the respective songs they wrote.

“Hard Times & Deadlines is a pretty literal explanation of what I felt life was turning into,” Dougherty says. “The fluffy part of college and party life was beginning to fade away and it seemed like it was time to put my head down and work.”  Once the tunes were drafted, they were brought to the whole band for collaboration. “This is where the tune truly becomes a Boogie song. Everyone adds their touch of creative input and we’re able to polish it up collectively pretty quickly,” explains Dougherty.

Majeska says “Life comes with highs and lows, and Hard Times & Deadlines captures the fleet of emotions that come with it. From broken hearts and fond memories. To broad horizons and the inevitable end of this human journey.” 

The ten original songs that make up Hard Times & Deadlines were recorded and mixed by Jeffrey Peterson at Lunar Lava Audio in Fort Atkinson, WI and mastered by Collin Jordan. 

Previously released singles include a blazing “Gone in a Day” (with Jeremy Garret on fiddle), the Hartforesque “Hard Times,” and the nostalgic “Liquor Store” (with Ernest Brusubardis IV on fiddle). 

Other tracks include a buoyant “All the Same,” the struttin’ “Skippin’ Town,” and a grassy “Empty Pools” which reflects on the loneliness of changes of season and changes of heart and features Connor on piano (as well as drums).

With “You’ve Been Hurt,” a poignant song about building trust in a relationship that features vocals from all four members, the band adopts a more measured approach. They pick the quick beat right back up with ”Low Down Time.” While upbeat and cheerful on the outside, the song pleads, “It’s been a low down time, And things been out of line. And I just need some help getting by. Won’t you help me stay alive?”  

Majeska says “Being down and out is part of life. But if we’re lucky, we’ll have people to rely on along the way. Be it a stranger or close companion, we’re in this together.” With this sentiment in mind, and adding to their kinetic sound, Armchair Boogie’s special guests for “Low Down Time” are The Payback Horns, which consist of Jamie Kember on trombone, Jon Schipper on trumpet, and Allen Cordingley on tenor sax. 

They close the album out with a song about  our inevitable finish line in the tongue-in-cheek “Boneyard.” Augie says, “I was channeling my best ‘John Prine energy’ while writing this tune…’I’m headed to the bone yard. So are you. It’s the same old story that they’re following too close to’.” 

A band on the verge, the good word of the Boogie continues to spread like wildfire. In 2024, they are set to play a slew of tour dates including shows at WinterWonderGrass Steamboat, DelFest, Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie, their own: The Boogiedown Festival, and 4848 Festival, with more yet to be announced. 

Visit www.armchairboogiemusic.com for more information, tour dates, and keep up with their adventures on facebook.com/armchairboogieboys and instagram.com/armchairboogieboys.

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Armchair Boogie Release “Gone in a Day” Single, Further Tour Dates

Premiered by The Bluegrass Situation,
Armchair Boogie’s Newest Single, “Gone in a Day,” is Out Today!

Stream “Gone in a Day” → https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/gone-in-a-day 

With their unique lineup of drums and electric bass backing acoustic/electric guitar and banjo,
Armchair Boogie offers a funked up spin on bluegrass 

Armchair Boogie Independently Releases 4th Studio Recording
Hard Times & Deadlines – March 15

Presave Hard Times & Deadlines →
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/hard-times–deadlines

MADISON, Wis. — Jamgrass, newgrass, funkgrass, whatever you want to call it—Armchair Boogie is rapidly becoming one of the country’s hottest acts. With an unbounded sound, this Wisconsin-based quartet is known for their powerful harmonies, timeless originals, and choice covers, along with unforgettable live performances. 

Armchair Boogie is Augie Dougherty on banjo and Ben Majeska acoustic and electric guitars backed by tight, driving rhythms of Eli Frieders on electric bass and Denzel Connor on drums. This unconventional lineup enhances their lightning-fast bluegrass, allowing them to freely venture into the realms of funk or country. A band on the verge, Armchair Boogie is excited to independently release a collection of ten original songs as their fourth studio recording, Hard Times & Deadlines, on March 15.

This week, The Bluegrass Situation premiered “Gone in a Day,” the album’s newest single. Having previously listed Armchair Boogie as a “Must-See Roots Artists at Bourbon & Beyond,” stating, “We recently caught this jammy Wisconsin outfit at Earl Scruggs Music Festival, where they burnt down their late-night set.” 

“Gone in a Day,” captures the fervor of a hopeless circumstance—channeling the energy from a storm’s eye outwards, personified by the delicate pizzicato turned fiddle frenzy that special guest Jeremy Garrett (Infamous Stringdusters, appearing courtesy of Organic Records) brings in. After experiencing loss in both love and friendship in a short amount of time, the result is a song that moves through the emotions of acceptance,” says Majeska. 

After meeting at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 2015, they moved to Madison in 2018 and released their debut self-titled album, followed by another in 2019 and an EP in 2021. Self-produced, this new album shows a maturing of the band’s songwriting and musical capabilities. Composing these songs around the beginning of the pandemic, Majeska and Dougherty—who sing lead on the respective songs they wrote—were experiencing the stresses of entering their late twenties. 

“Hard Times & Deadlines is a pretty literal explanation of what I felt life was turning into,” Dougherty says. “The fluffy part of college and party life was beginning to fade away and it seemed like it was time to put my head down and work.” 

Once the tunes were drafted, they were brought to the whole band for collaboration. “This is where the tune truly becomes a Boogie song. Everyone adds their touch of creative input and we’re able to polish it up collectively pretty quickly,” explains Dougherty.

Majeska says “Life comes with highs and lows, and Hard Times & Deadlines captures the fleet of emotions that come with it. From broken hearts and fond memories. To broad horizons and the inevitable end of this human journey.” 

Live for Live Music says, “funk-grass outfit Armchair Boogie is ready for whatever life throws its way” on their premiere of the Hartforesque first single and lead track “Hard Times.” Dougherty says the song, “is about my navigation of life’s realities. Entering my late twenties came with a lot of pressure to pursue musical and other professional endeavors. Feeling lost, feeling a lack of freedom, feeling like I have to push on through.”  

With rousing banjo and guitar solos, they raise a glass to wild nights and timeless stories in the rhythmic ‘Skippin’ Town” and the nostalgic “Liquor Store.” Meanwhile they touch upon poignant moments with a more measured approach in “You’ve Been Hurt,’ a song about fostering trust in a relationship. 

Glide Magazine premiered “Liquor Store” and calls it, “a hyper-paced work of alt-country-laced bluegrass that balances impressive picking with strong lyricism that could just as easily fit in a work of quiet folk. Propelled by Dougherty’s banjo, the music careens forward with a lively energy that you can imagine turning into an explosive jam onstage.”

Upbeat and cheerful on the outside,  ”Low Down Time” pleads, “It’s been a low down time, And things been out of line. And I just need some help getting by. Won’t you help me stay alive?”  The song features special guests The Payback Horns (Jamie Kember on trombone, Jon Schipper on trumpet, and Allen Cordingley on tenor sax).

Dougherty’s characteristic fast-talking vocal wit shines through in the buoyant “All the Same and the electrifying “Livin’“—inspired by a quote from The Hobbit: “What’s the good in living, if the living isn’t good?” Using his best “John Prine energy” while writing about our inevitable finish line in the tongue-in-cheek “Boneyard,” Augie sings, ‘‘I’m headed to the bone yard. So are you. It’s the same old story that they’re following too close to.” 

“Armchair Boogie is a name that somehow oddly perfects their vibe: a folk, funk, and bluegrass that originated on a front porch. A band that can turn downhome bluegrass into an upbeat groove with contagious rhythm is not to be missed…” writes The Pitch Kansas City’s Allison Scavo. “As I entered, the crowd was already screaming to the point where I questioned if I had missed them. I quickly realized they had just gotten on stage and the frenzied elation was merely for their presence. From the first note to the elongated jams and everything in between, Armchair Boogie aerated the venue with unforgettable energy.” 

Presave the album at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/hard-times–deadlines. 

Armchair Boogie Shows:

1/20  Center For The Arts – Crested Butte, CO*

1/21  Sheridan Opera House – Telluride, CO*

2/03  Grand Theater – Wausau, WI

2/08  West Theater – Duluth, MN

2/09  Fox Hollow – La Crosse, WI

2/10  Ice Dance Music Fest – Appleton, WI

2/21  WOW Hall – Eugene, OR*

2/22  Revolution Hall – Portland, OR*

2/23  Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex – Bend, OR*

2/24  Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA*

2/25  Wild Buffalo – Bellingham, WA*

2/28  The Elm – Bozeman, MT*

3/01  Talbott’s Cider Company – Palisade, CO*  

3/02  WinterWonderGrass – Steamboat Springs, CO

3/16  Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI

3/21  xBk Live – Des Moines, IA^

3/22  Turner Hall Ballroom – Milwaukee,  WI^>

3/23  Turf Club – St. Paul, MN^

3/27  Rumba Cafe – Columbus,  OH

3/28  Hi-Fi – Indianapolis, IN

3/29  The Stache at The Intersection – Grand Rapids,  MI

3/30  Martyrs’ – Chicago, IL

5/24-25   DelFest – Cumberland, MD

5/24-26   Solshine Reverie – Chillicothe, IL

6/20-23   Moccasin Creek Festival – Effingham, IL

7/11-13   The Boogiedown – Hillsboro, WI

7/18-20   4848 Festival – Snowshoe, WV

*w/ The Kitchen Dwellers
^w/ AJ Lee & Blue Summit
>w/ Henhouse Prowlers

For more information and updates, visit www.armchairboogiemusic.com, facebook.com/armchairboogieboys, and  instagram.com/armchairboogieboys.

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Armchair Boogie Releases New Single “Liquor Store” – Winter Tour Announced

Armchair Boogie Announces Winter Tour &
Releases 2nd Single from Hard Times & Deadlines 

“Liquor Store” is Out Now → https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/liquor-store

“Armchair Boogie Showcase Lightning-fast Bluegrass Chops & Strong Lyricism on ‘Liquor Store’”
—Glide Magazine Song Premiere “Liquor Store”

Hard Times & Deadlines, Boogie’s 4th Studio Recording, Independently Released March 15

Presave the full album Hard Times & Deadlines →
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/hard-times–deadlines 

MADISON, Wis. — Armchair Boogie offers a funked up spin on bluegrass with their unique lineup of drums and electric bass backing acoustic/electric guitar and banjo. A band on the verge, the good word of the Boogie continues to spread like wildfire. Listed as a “Must-See Roots Artists at Bourbon & Beyond” by The Bluegrass Situation who says, “We recently caught this jammy Wisconsin outfit at Earl Scruggs Music Festival, where they burnt down their late-night set.”

Armchair Boogie has announced an extensive Winter Tour with shows in the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, and West Coast and will continue on throughout the States in 2024. They aim to help you boogie down even more in your living room, in your car, on your phone, or anywhere you listen to music when you’re not at a gig with the independent release of Hard Times & Deadlines, their fourth studio album, on March 15. 

To get you in the spirit, “Liquor Store,” the album’s 2nd single, is out now. Written by Augie Dougherty to address the nostalgic feeling of looking back on his youth, “reminiscing on the younger days of love and liquor.” The track features special guest Ernest Brusubardis IV on fiddle. 

Glide Magazine writes, “The song is a hyper-paced work of alt-country-laced bluegrass that balances impressive picking with strong lyricism that could just as easily fit in a work of quiet folk. Propelled by Dougherty’s banjo, the music careens forward with a lively energy that you can imagine turning into an explosive jam onstage.”

This follows the November release of the Hartforesque lead track “Hard Times,” which demonstrates the 3-part harmonies that drive home the album’s namesake. Premiered by Live For Live Music, Michael Broerman writes, “‘Hard Times’ highlights the dualities that define Armchair Boogie.”

“On one hand, there’s the opening picking of Augie Dougherty‘s banjo, which elucidates the group’s traditional elements,” explains Broerman. “By the time he breezes through the opening verse, however, the rest of the band comes alive as Denzel Connor‘s drums awaken the track to reveal Armchair’s folk-jam sensibilities. The stylistic personalities of the four-piece—which also features Eli Frieders on electric bass and Ben Majeska on guitar—work in tandem on ‘Hard Times,’ as Armchair Boogie powers through the hard times and deadlines to discover what life is about.”

Self-produced, this new album shows a maturing of the band’s songwriting and musical capabilities. Composing these songs around the beginning of the pandemic, Majeska and Dougherty—who sing lead on the respective songs they wrote—were experiencing the stresses of entering their late twenties. 

“Hard Times & Deadlines is a pretty literal explanation of what I felt life was turning into,” Dougherty says. “The fluffy part of college and party life was beginning to fade away and it seemed like it was time to put my head down and work.” 

Majeska, who plays both electric and acoustic guitars throughout the album, says “Life comes with highs and lows, and Hard Times & Deadlines captures the fleet of emotions that come with it. From broken hearts and fond memories. To broad horizons and the inevitable end of this human journey.” 

Once the tunes were drafted, they were brought to the whole band for collaboration. “This is where the tune truly becomes a Boogie song. Everyone adds their touch of creative input and we’re able to polish it up collectively pretty quickly,” explains Dougherty.

Along with “Liquor Store” and “Hard Times,” the ten original songs that make up Hard Times & Deadlines were recorded and mixed by Jeffrey Peterson at Lunar Lava Audio in Fort Atkinson, WI and mastered by Collin Jordan. 

They cover a variety of topics, including capturing the fervor of a hopeless circumstance in “Gone in a Day” (with special guest fiddler Jeremy Garrett [Infamous Stringdusters, appearing courtesy of Organic Records]), toasting to wild nights and timeless stories in ‘Skippin’ Town,’ and bringing poignant moments with “You’ve Been Hurt” and “Empty Pools.”

While upbeat and cheerful on the outside,  ”Low Down Time” pleads, “It’s been a low down time, And things been out of line. And I just need some help getting by. Won’t you help me stay alive?”  The song features special guests The Payback Horns (Jamie Kember on trombone, Jon Schipper on trumpet, and Allen Cordingley on tenor sax).

Dougherty’s characteristic fast-talking vocal wit shines through in the buoyant “All the Same and the electrifying “Livin’“—inspired by a quote from The Hobbit: “What’s the good in living, if the living isn’t good?” Using his best “John Prine energy” while writing about our inevitable finish line in the tongue-in-cheek “Boneyard,” Augie sings, ‘‘I’m headed to the bone yard. So are you. It’s the same old story that they’re following too close to.” 

Jamgrass, newgrass, funkgrass, whatever you want to call it—Armchair Boogie is rapidly becoming one of the country’s hottest acts. Their unconventional lineup enhances their lightning-fast bluegrass, allowing them to freely venture into the realms of funk or country. With an unbounded sound, this Wisconsin-based quartet is known for their powerful harmonies, timeless originals, and choice covers, along with their enthusiastic live performances.

“Armchair Boogie is a name that somehow oddly perfects their vibe: a folk, funk, and bluegrass that originated on a front porch. A band that can turn downhome bluegrass into an upbeat groove with contagious rhythm is not to be missed…” writes The Pitch Kansas City’s Allison Scavo. “As I entered, the crowd was already screaming to the point where I questioned if I had missed them. I quickly realized they had just gotten on stage and the frenzied elation was merely for their presence. From the first note to the elongated jams and everything in between, Armchair Boogie aerated the venue with unforgettable energy.” 

Armchair Boogie Winter Tour

12/15 Fri – The Hive – Fond du Lac, WI
12/31 Sun – Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI #
1/16-17 Tue-Wed – Belly Up – Aspen, CO*
1/18 Thu – Mesa Theater – Grand Junction, CO*
1/20 Sat – Center For The Arts – Crested Butte, CO*
1/21 Sun – Sheridan Opera House – Telluride, CO*
2/3 Sat – Grand Theater – Wausau, WI
2/9 Fri – Fox Hollow – La Crosse, WI
2/10 Sat – Ice Dance Music Fest – Appleton, WI
2/21 Wed – WOW Hall – Eugene, OR*
2/22 Thu – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR*
2/23 Fri –  Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex – Bend, OR
2/24 Sat – Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA*
2/25 Sun – Wild Buffalo – Bellingham, WA*
3/1 Fri – Talbott’s Cider Company – Palisade, CO*  
3/2 Sat – WinterWonderGrass – Steamboat Springs, CO
3/16 Sat – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI

# w/ Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and Dead Horses
*w/ The Kitchen Dwellers

Visit www.armchairboogiemusic.com for more information and keep up to date with their adventures on facebook.com/armchairboogieboys and instagram.com/armchairboogieboys.

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Armchair Boogie Debuts Title Track From Upcoming Album ‘Hard Times & Deadlines’

Armchair Boogie. Photo by Dan Waterman.

Armchair Boogie Independently Releases 4th Studio Recording
Hard Times & Deadlines – March 15, 2024

With their unique lineup of drums and electric bass backing acoustic/electric guitar and banjo, Armchair Boogie offers a funked up spin on bluegrass

Out Today- Stream the 1st Single “Hard Times”https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/hard-times

Madison, WI funk-grass outfit Armchair Boogie is ready for whatever
life throws its way on its new single, “Hard Times”
—Premiered by Live For Live Music

Presave Hard Times & Deadlines →
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/hard-times–deadlines

MADISON, Wis. — Jamgrass, newgrass, funkgrass, whatever you want to call it—Armchair Boogie is rapidly becoming one of the country’s hottest acts. With an unbounded sound, this Wisconsin-based quartet is known for their powerful harmonies, timeless originals, and choice covers, along with unforgettable live performances. Listed as a “Must-See Roots Artists at Bourbon & Beyond” by The Bluegrass Situation who wrote, “We recently caught this jammy Wisconsin outfit at Earl Scruggs Music Festival, where they burnt down their late-night set.”

Armchair Boogie is Augie Dougherty on banjo and Ben Majeska acoustic and electric guitars backed by tight, driving rhythms of Eli Frieders on electric bass and Denzel Connor on drums. This unconventional lineup enhances their lightning-fast bluegrass, allowing them to freely venture into the realms of funk or country. A band on the verge, Armchair Boogie is excited to independently release their fourth studio recording, Hard Times & Deadlines, on March 15.

The lead track, and first single, “Hard Times,” demonstrates the 3-part harmonies that drive home the album’s namesake. Dougherty says of his perspective of the song, “‘Hard Times’ is about my navigation of life’s realities. Entering my late twenties came with a lot of pressure to pursue musical and other professional endeavors. Feeling lost, feeling a lack of freedom, feeling like I have to push on through.” 

The Hartforesque sounding tune can also take on a plethora of new meanings with lyrics like, “We’re out here all alone, this big ol’ world is our only home, What do you do, if you find yourself lost? You can find a friend, you can find a bucket, You can find a piece of wood and just chuck it. If you’re real lucky, you can find a soul… Well the hard times and deadlines pushin’ me through till the good times.”

Live For Live Music premiered the song and Michael Broerman writes, “‘Hard Times’ highlights the dualities that define Armchair Boogie. On one hand, there’s the opening picking of Augie‘s banjo, which elucidates the group’s traditional elements. By the time he breezes through the opening verse, however, the rest of the band comes alive as Denzel‘s drums awaken the track to reveal Armchair’s folk-jam sensibilities. The stylistic personalities of the four-piece—which also features Eli on electric bass and Ben on acoustic guitar [for this track]—work in tandem on ‘Hard Times,’ as Armchair Boogie powers through the hard times and deadlines to discover what life is about.”

Self-produced, this new album shows a maturing of the band’s songwriting and musical capabilities. Composing these songs around the beginning of the pandemic, Majeska and Dougherty—who sing lead on the respective songs they wrote—were experiencing the stresses of entering their late twenties. 

Majeska says “Life comes with highs and lows, and Hard Times & Deadlines captures the fleet of emotions that come with it. From broken hearts and fond memories. To broad horizons and the inevitable end of this human journey.” 

“Hard Times & Deadlines is a pretty literal explanation of what I felt life was turning into,” Dougherty says. “The fluffy part of college and party life was beginning to fade away and it seemed like it was time to put my head down and work.” 

Once the tunes were drafted, they were brought to the whole band for collaboration. “This is where the tune truly becomes a Boogie song. Everyone adds their touch of creative input and we’re able to polish it up collectively pretty quickly,” explains Dougherty.

The ten original songs that make up Hard Times & Deadlines were recorded and mixed by Jeffrey Peterson at Lunar Lava Audio—who specializes in classic recording techniques and organic sounding results—in Fort Atkinson, WI. It was mastered by Collin Jordan—owner of The Boiler Room Mastering in Chicago.

ARMCHAIR BOOGIE DOWN THE ROAD

Armchair Boogie emerged from the central waters and woods of Wisconsin, after meeting at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 2015. The members moved to Madison in 2017, releasing their debut self-titled album in 2018, followed by 2019’s What Does Time Care?, and a 4-track EP in 2021—The Western. 

Nowadays Armchair Boogie continues touring and climbing their way up notable festival lineups. In 2023 alone they performed at Summer Camp Music Festival, Old Settler’s Music Festival, Bourbon and Beyond, Grey Fox, Blissfest, Suwannee Spring Reunion, Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Shoe Fest, and Sugar Pine Music Festival. Adding to previous years at WinterWonderGrass, Northwest String Summit, Blue Ox Music Festival, John Hartford Memorial Festival, Charm City Bluegrass, MerleFest, Albino Skunk Fest, and more. 

They started hosting their own event, The Boogiedown Music Festival, in 2021 at Driftless Music Gardens during the summer in Yuba, WI. The band has performed throughout the country, with regular stops throughout the Midwest—including sold-out shows in their hometown of Madison—as they continue to break through into new markets. 

Over the years and through the shows, they’ve had the honor to share the spotlight at shows and or performed with members of with Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The HillBenders, Daniel Donato, Pert Near Sandstone, and jammed with many more.

The good word of boogie continues to spread like wildfire! Armchair Boogie has several Midwest performances coming up to close out the year, culminating on New Year’s Eve at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and Dead Horses. They begin the new year with performances throughout the Rocky Mountains, followed by Telluride. February resumes with a few gigs in Wisconsin before heading to the Northwest for a run with Kitchen Dwellers. They kick off March at WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, CO with spring tour dates soon to be announced. Visit www.armchairboogiemusic.com for a full list of tour dates.

With Hard Times & Deadlines they want to help you boogie down in your living room, your car, on your phone, or wherever you listen to music when you’re not at a show. 

Presave the album at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/armchairboogie/hard-times–deadlines. 

Visit www.armchairboogiemusic.com for more information about Armchair Boogie and Hard Times & Deadlines. Keep up to date with their adventures on facebook.com/armchairboogieboys, instagram.com/armchairboogieboys, and youtube.com/@armchairboogie4522.

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