Jared Kolesar, Michael Carter, Larry Gast III, Chuck Morriss III and Josh Morin, the five young men who make up Jared and the Mill, have been mighty busy in recent years. Since forming in 2011, they won over their hometown of Phoenix, AZ and soon found themselves opening for and sharing stages with the Zac Brown Band, Barry Gibb, War on Drugs, Cake, Flogging Molly and the Killers at festivals and shows, playing to packed arenas one night and dive bars the next, pounding the pavement and touring nonstop. But all the while, as their bond has tightened and their sound has matured, the boys have had one goal in mind—bring the southwest with them wherever they go, in music and spirit. It seems the guys have done just that with their EP, Orme Dugas, an ambitious release produced by Grammy-winner Ryan Hewitt (Tom Petty, Dixie Chicks, The Avett Brothers) that merges spacious harmonies and flowing instrumentation through elements of folk, Country and Americana.

Today, Elmore is premiering the band’s recording of “Keep Me Going” a track from the EP, for YouTube’s “Nashville Sessions.” Jared Kolesar says of the track, ““Keep Me Going” is about the uncertainty one feels when they’re discovering a new relationship with somebody. Heartbreak is a difficult thing to deal with, and I think it’s especially difficult when one’s actions are the catalyst for the hurt they experience. I was seeing a girl for a couple of years, and was really legitimately happy, but I also love music and the adventure of touring with all of my soul. These two pillars in my life unfortunately couldn’t co-exist and I was left with a decision I think a lot of musicians are forced to make. The breakup is hard, and it left me wondering if any sort of romantic relationship was going to be possible for me while living in this world of mid-level bandship. When a new flame entered my life, it was difficult to not wonder if it would befall the same fate. This song is more of a question within myself of whether or not I could spiritually handle another experience like the one previous. The question is projected onto the relationship in question and begs the new girl to be certain of whether or not this lifestyle is one she can handle. And I hope it is.”

The performance offers a unique glance into the band’s intimate recording style; standing in a circle, the men feed off of each other, intensifying the emotion that flows between them. Kolesar roots the track with his thoughtful, rich twang, his impressive range on full display, but the textured instrumentation of mandolin, banjo and guitar flesh out the track that is at once catchy and complex. Meanwhile, in lieu of traditional percussion, the tinny clank of the washboard merges with the steady beat of the kickdrum to create a meditative drive as the track’s title repeats, bolstered by subtle harmonies, like a mantra.

On the video, Jared adds, “This video was a blast to make! We really love playing acoustic arrangements of all our tunes, and to have such a rad crew as Youtube recording it was a treat. Not to mention it was cool recording something in such a legendary area of Nashville.”

Follow the guys on Facebook and their website, and pick up a copy of Orme Dugas via iTunes. Watch the video for “Keep Me Going” below.

Jared & The Mill Tour Dates
Oct 14 – Albuquerque, NM – The Co-Op
Oct 15 – Greeley, CO – Moxi Theater
Oct 16 – Fort Collins, CO – Hodi’s Half Note
Oct 19 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
Oct 21 – Billings, MT – Pub Station
Oct 22 – Boise, ID – Neurolux Lounge
Oct 24 – Spokane, WA – The Bartlett
Oct 25 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
Oct 26 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 29 – San Francisco, CA – Neck of the Woods
Oct 30 – Sacramento, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
Nov 03 – Malibu, CA – Pepperdine
Nov 04 – Los Angeles, CA – The Satellite
Nov 05 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room @ House of Blues