A New Tradition in Colorado Bluegrass

Tonewood String Band

Tonewood sounds utterly unique, without ever straying from that high lonesome sound. They embrace bluegrass tradition with soaring vocal harmonies, blistering instrumental fireworks, and ear-catching melodies. But they seamlessly blend in Middle Eastern melodies, Cajun rhythms, and impressive group improvisations, giving a voice to each band member’s unique musical influences.

Tonewood String Band is an original bluegrass band based in Denver, CO. Founded in 2021, Tonewood has evolved from an improvisation-heavy jamgrass trio to a vocally driven original bluegrass phenomenon. Praised for their original songwriting, powerful three-part vocal harmonies, and incendiary instrumental solos, Tonewood is poised to elevate Colorado bluegrass.

The band consists of George Sepmeier (fiddle, mandolin), Evan Shely (guitar), Elijah Donovan (banjo), Matt Thomas (upright bass), and Steve Lisi (cajón). Everyone sings.

Tonewood String Band has shared stages with notable local and national acts including The Fretliners, Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Twisted Pine, and Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, and played acclaimed bluegrass festivals including Tico Time Bluegrass Festival and Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival.

Their debut full-length album, Heart of the Pretender, arrived November 22, 2025. It was crowdfunded — a 2024 Kickstarter raised more than $30,000 from fans, who were paid back in private song requests the band recorded and posted every week as "Groovy Tuesday". The record was produced by Tyler Grant at Swingfingers Studio in Fort Collins, Colorado, engineered and mixed by Aaron Youngberg, mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, and released through Blackstrap Records. Most of the thirteen songs are George Sepmeier’s; every other member wrote one or two. The cover is by Silver Sepmeier and the band photography by Jordan August.