Orchestral folk group The Ridges return to Cincinnati on Thursday for a free show at MOTR Pub as part of their brief Midwest tour. The band, whom I first caught at MPMF.11, opens for MPMF comrades Paper Thick Walls. The MOTR show is the Ridges’ first Cincinnati show since the release of their Daytrotter session, where you can find some songs from the EP, as well as a few previously unreleased tracks.

I’ve written about the Athens-based band before but now that I’ve seen them a handful of times, I can confidently say The Ridges stands as one of my favorite music discoveries of 2011. The band consists of a rotating ensemble of musicians anchored by Victor Rasgaitis (guitar, vocals), Johnny Barton (percussion, glockenspiel, vocals) and Talor Smith (cello, vocals). Still, the fluidity of the band is one of its many shining facets; every show is different since at any show you may also catch any combination of cello, viola, violin, trumpet, piano, ukelele, mandolin, and double bass. Meanwhile, their debut self-titled EP captures the full range of their sound, from undeniably catchy pop songs like “War Bonds” and “Invented Love” to brooding, baroque-tinged cuts like “The Insomniac’s Song” and “Overboard.” If 2011 is any indication of The Ridges’ potential, expect great things from this band in 2012.

Stream: The Ridges – War Bonds

Catch the promo video for The Ridges’ Winter Tour here.

The Ridges Winter Tour 2012

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 – Cincinnati, OH – MOTR Pub
Opening for Paper Thick Walls
9PM / Free

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
Opening for Hollis Brown
8PM / $8 Tickets
Buy tickets here

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – Chicago, IL – Uncommon Ground
With The Island of Misfit Toys
10PM / $5 Cover
Make a listening room reservation: 773-929-3680
*Seating is limited – reservations are highly recommended

-post by Caitlin Behle @cutelin