Music of the Mountains: AJ Keyser of Montana Sand

AJ Montana Keyser has been writing songs since the age of 11 and playing open mikes since the age of 15. They’ve embraced music throughout their entire life, performing professionally for over eight years.

When Keyser first started releasing songs, they did so under their birth name. Their personal and musical journey changed in July 2022 during a trip to Bozeman, Montana, where they completely embraced their identity and came out as non-binary.

Keyser now performs under their chosen name, including with their band Montana Sand. The band, formed shortly after (and named as a tribute to) that Bozeman trip, features Keyser on vocals, guitar, and banjo; Beth Kammersgard on bass; Chris Wright on drums; and Phil Broste on pedal steel.

The group draws from a diverse range of musical influences, including country, folk, rock, bluegrass, and roots music. In addition to Colorado, the band has performed in Texas, Montana, California, Florida, and New Mexico.

Keyser has always loved collaborating with others, frequently gathering other musicians and book authors together to write songs. For them, performing in a group allows them to bounce energy off each other, creating an environment that can’t be recreated playing solo.

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