Susto Stringband performs in the 2025 Fine 2-Day Fest at the Codfish Hollow Barn -- September 19 and 20.
Friday, September 19, and Saturday, September 20
Codfish Hollow Barn, 5013 288th Avenue, Maquoketa IA
Headlining an ever-popular two-day music festival at the Codfish Hollow Barn, the South Carolina-based ensemble SUSTO brings its Americana and alt-country stylings to Maquoketa on September 19 and 20, the venue's Fine 2-Day Fest demonstrating the musicians' skills that led Americana UK to call their 2023 release My Entire Life " a fantastic album" with "each song memorable and joyous."
Touring in support of their recently released album Susto Stringband: Volume I, SUSTO was named after a trauma-related syndrome associated with Central American cultures, one described by frontman Justin Osborne as “when your soul is separated from your body. The group had its origins in 2014 as a side project for its lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist. Initially performing with a revolving lineup of musicians, the ensemble's eponymous debut was released by Hearts & Plugs later that year. In 2015, Osborne and his group self-released Live from the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame; a year later, the band recorded an Audiotree Live session; and in early 2017, SUSTO's second studio album & I'm Fine Today was released through Acid Boys/Missing Piece Records.
That recording immediately landed on Billboard's Independent chart and Heatseekers' album charts, and also earned SUSTO stellar reviews, with SoundBlab lauding its “thoughtful yet engaging songs” and Americana UK writing, “Osborne knows how to write a positive lyric, and reflect on life, and simultaneously produce a good hook.” Consequence of Sound, meanwhile, stated, “This is the kind of music that just hits in the right way on those long, dark nights of the soul. Hell, it might even make you laugh when you're done moppin' up those tears.” Third album Ever Since I Lost My Mind, released on Rounder Records, followed in 2019, leading SoundBlab to rave, "Each sound is varied and melodic, while the lyrics are clear and meant to be sifted and considered." And prior to My Entire Life came the widely admired Time in the Sun, which inspired Maximum Volume Music to state, "If you`re looking for something captivating to listen to which will have you pondering life`s big questions, this will certainly satisfy that need."
Joining the Susto Stringband on the Fine 2-Day Fest's September 19 lineup are She Returns from War, Johnny Delaware, and Darby Wilcox, with the September 20 roster featuring the full SUSTO alongside Radio Free Honduras, Abby Hamilton, Holler Choir, Burney Sisters, Conor Donohue, and Cannon Rogers. Admission is $60 on Fridat and $65 on Saturday, with full festival passes available for $100, and more information on the weekend event is available by visiting CodfishHollowBarnstormers.com.
