Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners boldly conjure up ‘Moonshine & Other Spirits’
Boston’s high-octane, accordion-driven, chicken-pickin’ Americana sextet storm into 2026 with a new EP out Friday, March 27
Named Americana Artist of the Year at the 2025 Boston Music Awards
Listen to the Kettle Burners on Spotify
Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners play The Burren in Somerville on March 28
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Intoxicating lead single ‘My Baby’s Happy’ features vocals by Elisa Smith
Photo Credit: Matt Morin
BOSTON, Mass. [March 27, 2026] – As far as the law is concerned, Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners have never whipped up a batch of moonshine, run it across state lines, and served it up for their friends to enjoy. But the iconic, and still very illegal, adult beverage is most certainly the fuel that drives the award-winning Boston band on its latest batch of music.
Appropriately dubbed Moonshine & Other Spirits, this tasty new collection of high-energy Americana and alt-country bangers from the Kettle Burners arrives on Friday, March 27. It lands not too long after throwing down for another series of annual St. Patrick’s Day shows around the city, and just ahead of playing The Burren in Somerville on Saturday, March 28 with Billy Dodge Moody and Luke Curran.
“The band’s been drinking a lot of moonshine lately,” warns Byrnes. “Some say too much, some say not enough, but a bit of white lightning flows through the album… We have a vision of where we want to be, and this EP is a step in that direction.”
Moonshine & Other Spirits marks the Kettle Burners’ first new music since taking home Americana Artist of the Year at the 2025 Boston Music Awards, capping off a wild year that saw the band release three EPs, tour Belgium and The Netherlands, hold court at the Byrnes-curated New England Americana Festival at Bellforge Arts Center, and develop a well-earned reputation as one of the best, and perhaps most tireless, live bands in New England.
And yet they’ve somehow discovered another gear. Moonshine & Other Spirits is a fiery collection from the high-octane sextet – vocalist and guitarist Byrnes joined by Jason McGorty (accordion), Dan DiBacco (electric guitars and vocals), Monica Sager (washboard), Joe Miller (bass), and new recruit Rob Gulati (drums) – shifting its face-melting accordion and chicken-pickin’ electric guitar into overdrive for five new tracks, each expanding their broad stroke of Americana.
“It’s a well-established inside joke within the Kettle Burners that we have too many songs about drinking,” says DiBacco. “This latest EP will do little to quell such chatter. But Moonshine & Other Spirits adds some new grooves to the catalog, while still sounding like our usual selves. We go in some fun new directions.”
Things kick off with EP opener and lead single “My Baby’s Happy,” a sleek and hypnotic composition starring guest vocals from Boston country music riser Elisa Smith (who last year scored a Josie Award for Female Country Song of the Year for “Nashville Don’t Forget Me”) as well as maybe the most rippin’ accordion solo, thanks to McGorty, to come out of the scene in a hot minute.
The EP is augmented by two upbeat new Kettle Burners tracks, “Impossible” and “Make Me Wanna Dance (Moonshine Shuffle),” as well as a pair of covers, bringing dusty-road classics from Robert Earl Keen (a propulsive “Goin’ Down in Style”) and Tyler Childers (a gritty, street-walkin’, Moonshine-drunk “Whitehouse Road”) into the Kettle Burners’ free-wheelin’ world of raucous, spring-heeled, folk-punk Americana, where Celtic and Bavarian sounds mesh with the Stateside grit and grime of outlaw country.
But to truly imbibe in Moonshine & Other Spirits, one must connect two disparate origin stories in just how this EP came together.
Not too long ago, the band was up in New Hampshire playing a few ski mountain and bar gigs up in the Granite State, and Byrnes secured some unconventional lodging, linking up with a friend who offered his moonshining shed for the weekend. “It was a totally off-the-grid operation; no plumbing, no electricity (save for whatever could operate on batteries) and no internet,” Byrnes reveals with a smirk, “but it would be warm and cozy, as he would have his wood stove burning and the still cranking, as he would be distilling mash that weekend.”
The Kettle Burners found themselves posted up in the middle of the woods, far from any roadway or civilized development, with only trees and a passing stream as neighbors. They cozied up, avoiding stepping on any distilling tools or mason jars filled with various mysterious liquids, and over the course of the weekend the band shared stories, sampled some product, and jammed out – even planting the seeds of EP closer “Make Me Wanna Dance (Moonshine Shuffle).”
There was a feeling in the air: “I think we all knew that our next EP was going to be somehow influenced by moonshine,” the frontman declares.
Even the EP artwork, a photo DiBacco snapped of the snowy scene around midnight, with the moon looking down upon them and the band’s vehicle taillight giving the setting an ominous red glare, was pulled from those sessions, eventually designed by Megan Kelly to complete its portal into the music contained within.
With the Moonshine part locked in, the Other Spirits aspect comes from a more other-worldly place, even with the intrepid pun doing some heavy lifting. While putting the finishing touches on the EP in his basement studio in Medford, Byrnes was visited by an apparition as he was working on “Make Me Wanna Dance (Moonshine Shuffle),” and the experience shook him to his core.
He spotted a person walking into the room out of the corner of his eye, but when he turned to look, there was no one to be found. The room then went ice-cold, and goosebumps stretched across his skin. Feeling the paranormal situation was maybe not too uncommon for his historic home with an extensive history (and maybe even a family member who once experienced something similar) the next day, he returned to the scene of the haunting.
“As I descended down the steps, I pondered about starting a conversation with whatever it was down there in the hopes of keeping peace, but under further contemplation the prospect of getting an answer back would probably just make the matters worse, so I decided to just stay quiet and ignore it,” he adds. “Fortunately, I finished the EP and I’m happy to report that there were no other otherworldly visitors dropping in to listen to a sneak preview of the music.”
After relaying the tale, Miller suggested calling the EP Moonshine & Other Spirits (“Joe is always so damn fast with the witty wordplay,” quips DiBacco. “Dude’s mind is a carnival.”). And it’s a fitting title, as the convergence of outlaw action and some paranormal activity has never sounded so good. Perhaps a ghost from the moonshine sessions followed the band back home; or perhaps they’ve been playing with apparitions all along.
“Speaking of other spirits, ‘My Baby’s Happy’, in some ways, is like a ghost to me; its lyrics contain bits of memories from the past, and its melody has been haunting me for years,” Byrnes admits. “I had made a demo of that song years earlier that just sat there buried under a ton of other projects, but with the Kettle Burners, the song was resurrected and with the addition of Elisa‘s vocals, the song took on a new life of its own. We were super lucky to have Elisa capture that energy she’s known for.”
Other guests on the EP include Wayward Vine’s Valerie Rachel and Whiskey Boys’ David Delaney (who once played with Byrnes in Three Day Threshold), both lending their fiddle talents on “Impossible,” the type of Kettle Burners barn-stormer that the band has become known for in a short period of time. And “Make Me Wanna Dance (Moonshine Shuffle),” with its almost Vegas showman’s groove and kinetic energy, carries the same intensity.
“‘Make Me Wanna Dance’ adds another tune to the set that just makes people smile – and of course, wanna dance,” says McGorty. “It’s so simple yet brilliantly catchy. I’ve never considered myself a dancer but playing the accordion does more to remove inhibitions for me than drinking moonshine or other spirits can do. Last year I upgraded to a wireless accordion rig which gives me freedom to walk away from the standing mics. I can roam around the stage, but more importantly I can go into the crowd and dance with the audience. It’s a truly immersive experience for everyone.”
And no new EP from the band would be complete without some covers, as in the past the band has taken on familiars by Sturgill Simpson and Billy Strings. Here, Keen and Childers get the Kettle Burners treatment.
“Tyler Childers is one of my favorite artists, and ‘Whitehouse Road’ has become a staple of our live set,” DiBacco notes. “The way we play it on this latest EP is pretty much exactly how we play it live; it’s a bit longer and jammy, not trying to be a quick three-minute single. I think it’s pretty cool that it captures the energy of a Kettle Burners show. Same is true of ‘Goin’ Down In Style’.”
From here, the Kettle Burners are only going up. Beyond the Burren show, the band then hits Underbones in Somerville on May 2, with Krishna Guthrie, the grandson of Arlo Guthrie and great grandson of Woody Guthrie; and then it’s back for another New England Americana Festival at Bellforge Arts Center in Medfield in June.
Another EP is set to drop in June, before a record of polka and Bavarian bangers drops in September ahead of Oktoberfest. Whether Moonshine or any other liquid, the band’s gas tanks are fully filled. But even with the awards, accolades, and praise from anyone who presses play on their EP or catches a live show, Byrnes takes nothing for granted. Perhaps it’s the ghosts giving some age advice.
“I always get a bit nervous when it comes to releasing music,” he concludes. “Playing someone a song you wrote is a bit like exposing a bit of your soul. Life has taught me to be very careful whenever I share the things that are going on in my head, I am no stranger to putting my foot in mouth. On the other hand, playing music can be a great experience to let go and let it all out. I’m pretty proud of how these songs came out, so I just hope there are folks out there who also will like them.”
The spirits, from this world and beyond, would agree.
Media Contact: Please direct press inquiries to Michael Marotta at michael@knyvet.com,
and reach Kier Byrnes at band@kierbyrnes.com.
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‘Moonshine & Other Spirits’ EP artwork:
Designed by Megan Kelly
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Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners are:
Kier Byrnes: Guitar and vocals
Jason McGorty: Accordion
Dan DiBacco: Electric guitars, Vocals
Monica Sager: Washboard
Joe Miller: Bass
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‘Moonshine & Other Spirits’ production credits:
Written and performed by Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners except “Goin’ Down in Style” (written by Robert Earl Keen) and “Whitehouse Road” (written by Tyler Childers)
Recorded by Kier Byrnes and Joe Miller at Three Day Household Studios
Tracks 1 to 3 Mixed by Rafi Sofer at Q Division
“Whitehouse Road” mixed by Kier Byrnes
“Make Me Wanna Dance (Moonshine Shuffle)” mixed by Kier Byrnes, Mike Quinn,
and a disembodied spirit
(The disembodied spirit who came and visited the studio when we were mixing remains unknown)
Mastered by Mike Quinn
Brian Lilienthal performs drums tracks 1 to 4
Rob Gulati performs drums on “Make Me Wanna Dance (Moonshine Shuffle)”
Elisa Smith provides additional vocals on “My Baby’s Happy”
Fiddle tracks on “Impossible” provided by David Delaney (Whiskey Boys) and Valerie Rachel (Wayward Vine)
Artwork by Megan Kelly
Thumbwrestling Coach is Nate Perry
Press Contact is Michael O’Connor Marotta/Knyvet
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Media praise for Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners:
“Blends traditional folk roots with electrified energy… A band rooted in folk and bluegrass traditions yet unafraid to crank the amplifiers and push into rockier terrain.” _Twangville
“Expanding their brand of Americana to a point where it now defies description and blurs time, creating a raucous mix of musical adrenaline and enchanting melodies, weaving stories of love, loss, and life’s trials against a backdrop of twangy guitars, dazzling accordion, and infectious foot-stomping percussion.”_Americana UK
“Required listening for anyone wanting to dig into tunes inspired by Country, Bluegrass, and Blues that come with a touch of Punk Rock sneer.” _The Alternate Root
“They bring a distinct flavor to Americana with their Eastern European influences. The interplay of the accordion and the electric guitar riffs bring out incredible energy.” _New England Americana Music Reviews
“After listening to this six-song EP… well, first after the almost-frantic tempos of some of the songs, you’ll want to thank the band for stopping after six songs so you can catch your breath. Then you’ll probably start from song one again. And you’ll look to see when you can catch a live show because if it’s anything like this EP, it’ll blow the doors off.” _Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog
“Immersing oneself in the joyous sounds that comprise new EP ‘Before The Fall’ and we find notes of Rockabilly, a little bit of Emo, and even some worldly profound Punk throughout making for an enlightened listen if you’ve never heard Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners previously.” _Rock And Roll Fables
“A magnificent collection of music.” _The Whole Kameese
“I loved this release and it should come with a sticker that says ‘F**k Life’s problems Let’s Dance!!’” _Maximum Volume Music
“[The Kettle Burners] defy genre and time with an all-time mix of folk, Irish folk, punk and what not. ...in each song the band convinces. ‘Before The Fall’ is an EP that deserves attention.” _WoNoBlog
“...traditional Celtic fire and rock…” _Patriot Ledger
“Not much room on a six-song E.P. to include all the world-spanning styles and universal beats that soundtracks Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners, though as a kindness to listeners, the band plug in a musical blender of sounds. …With a secret weapon of chicken-picking guitar and heatseeking missile accordion, Before the Fall continues to curate multiple styles under the unified sound of the band.” _The Alternate Root
“Kier Byrnes & the Kettle Burners’ newest EP romps through time and place. Before the Fall is both an escape to thrilling times long past and an ode to the unique anxieties of the contemporary everyman. In it, the tribulations of love, youthful malaise, and artists’ woes collide with high-speed showdowns and shady backroom drama. Its existence is also a tribute to the band’s ability to rally and muster forth through adversity. The EP’s name hails from a serious accident that could have derailed the project.” _The Some Publication
“Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners are warming up the crowd with their unique blend of Celtic, country, and rock — a sound that seems perfectly at home amid the avant-garde designs and boundary-pushing aesthetic… [The band has] built their identity on musical fusion. [it] creates something wholly original yet strangely familiar. This adaptability serves the band well in Boston’s diverse music scene, allowing them to fit comfortably in various contexts — from Celtic festivals to rock clubs, from beer festivals to high-fashion events.” _Boston Man Magazine
“[Kier Byrnes’ prior band] Three Day Threshold may have been compared to the Dropkick Murphys by some, but where the Dropkicks meld Celtic traditional sounds with punk rock, 3DT tended more to mix country/Celtic/bluegrass elements with more mainstream rock… A quick listen to some of the half dozen or so Kettle Burners videos currently on Youtube reveals that the sound is close to 3DT, but also different, with more depth and instrumental variety due to the interplay with the accordion.” _Patriot Ledger
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Press Contact: Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com
Band Contact: Kier Byrnes at band@kierbyrnes.com
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