Trampled by Turtles are from Duluth, Minnesota, where frontman Dave Simonett initially formed the group as a side project in 2003. At the time, Simonett had lost most of his music gear after a group of enterprising car thieves ransacked his vehicle while he was playing a show with his previous band. Left with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, he began piecing together a new band—this time taking inspiration from bluegrass, folk, and other genres that didn’t rely on amplification.

Simonett hadn’t played any bluegrass music before, and he filled his lineup with other newcomers to the genre, including fiddler Ryan Young (who had previously played drums in a speed metal act) and bassist Tim Saxhaug. Along with mandolinist Erik Berry and banjo player Dave Carroll, the group began carving out a fast, frenetic sound that owed as much to rock & roll as it did to bluegrass.

Their crossover appeal has landed them at the #1 spot on Billboard’s Bluegrass Charts with every record they’ve released, while also playing marquee festivals like Coachella, ACL Fest, and Lollapalooza. Countless tours with diverse artists—ranging from Shakey Graves, Zach Bryan, and Wilco to Caamp, Mt. Joy, Willie Nelson, the Avett Brothers, and Lord Huron—have followed, helping to solidify a loyal fanbase.

Their last full-length album, Alpenglow, was produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. In early 2025, the band released a cover of Bon Iver’s “From Emma” featuring Caamp’s Taylor Meier (aka Sumbuck) on lead vocals. A few new collaborations are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

About Wild Horses:

Wild Horses are husband & wife from northern Minnesota living off-grid in a cabin hand-built in between tours. From very different musical backgrounds, Wild Horses have shaped a sound that incorporates heartbreaking vocals, standout harmonies, driving beats, and explosive dynamics.

A recent string of opening slots for Trampled by Turtles and Muscadine Bloodline, respectively, went over huge with the crowds and now have them gaining traction in the upper Midwest and selling tickets to Wild Horses headline shows.

Charley Crockett just got wind of the band and offered WH direct support for his big Minneapolis outdoor show at Surly Field on August 23rd.

On “Sioux Falls”, Wild Horses bring their own rootsy Americana sound from their home in the woods of Minnesota, taking inspiration from the people and places found along the great American Highway.