Fresh off the Vine marches toward new season

Things are looking up for Jesse Ahmann, Karl Ross and Lucas Mace. The trio, who make up Fresh off the Vine, are heading into a summer season filled with fresh music, gigs and (hopefully) another album or EP release.

The musicians in Fresh off the Vine officially began their musical journey together in 2012. What started out as primarily casual, low-key live shows transformed into a steady line-up of work and the itch to create original music to match the group's original sound.

Fresh off the Vine released its self-titled debut album in 2014. Ahmann said sales have been decent, especially considering that the CDs are mostly sold during the group's live performances.

But the focus so far has still been on producing genuinely unique live music. The instrumentation of the trio is unusual — featuring Mace on electric guitar, Ross on acoustic rhythm guitar, and Ahmann on cello — which creates a hard-to-pin-down genre and brand as unique as the three musicians themselves.

Ahmann said the best thing about the group's music is that it's extremely accessible to anyone and everyone, a very "trans-demographic type of music."

"Little kids to elderly people and everything in between love the sound," Ahmann said.

Mace added that playing in a difficult-to-describe genre has benefits and set backs.

"Our music is easy to discover and enjoy, but hard to target and brand," Mace said. "I think it also has taken us longer to acquire a solid following, but it also makes for a more dedicated following."

Mace said the group’s sound comes from the instrument selection as well as the differing styles between players.

“Karl tends to write from a music-theory background, with a lot of complex chords,” he said. “I write from a more intuitive approach. Very melodic.”

“It’s so easy for these instruments to step on each other’s toes. It’s a challenge to make it all work together.”

Fresh off the Vine plays a variety of gigs to match their variety of styles. The group’s calendar includes private weddings and parties, as well as shows at breweries, restaurants, rooftops and traditional stages. The trio is part of the Northwest Artist Syndicate.

Currently the group is focused on branding and marketing, as well as recording demo videos and putting together material for a new EP. The trio hopes to have another project ready for release mid-summer.

“We’re focusing on a more upbeat vibe for the next album,” Mace said. “Right now, we’re letting [the material] age in a barrel.”

In the meantime, Fresh off the Vine is filling its summer calendar with events and performances.

“We’re excited for summer,” Ahmann said.

Fresh off the Vine’s next public show is Saturday, April 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kalispell Brewing Company on Main Street in Kalispell.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/freshoffthevinemusic.

The album “Fresh off the Vine” is available at the group’s live appearances as well as online at www.cdbaby.com/cd/freshoffthevine.

Entertainment editor Stefanie Johnson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.