The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra will beam down to the Lighthouse Event Center in Albert Lea this Saturday. — Photo provided

Band with local ties to play show in Albert Lea

We’re about to get galactic in southern Minnesota.

The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, Minnesota’s vaunted bluegrass and jazz-inspired, art-rock ensemble, will take the stage this Saturday at Albert Lea’s Lighthouse Event Center.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” said Elisa Wright, GCO violinist, who grew up in Blooming Prairie and is especially excited to play so close to home. “We really love playing in this region especially.”

The GCO have made a name for themselves over the past three and a half years, touring the Midwest and recently making big gains on the East Coast. The band is working on expanding through touring and making alternative music industry connections. They have several North Carolina dates set this year, including a performance at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in April or October.

GCO fans can expect to hear many new tunes this Saturday, as the orchestra is in the studio working on material. The group will expand into a few original vocal songs, according to Wright, a departure from their previous tracks.

“That’s going to be new, very new, and different,” she said.

Wright will be doing the lead vocals as well. She said the vocal songs won’t be traditionally structured, however. Their new vocal work will have more of a Rush-influenced feel as they stretch their progressive roots. The GCO may even tease two singles they hope to release next month, a vocal track and “Broken Marionettes,” which the group has previously played live.

“We’re definitely going to be breaking out new, original tunes and some cover songs,” Wright said.

The GCO will beam into town at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lighthouse Event Center. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and $5 for students.