He’s a man with a true passion for compost. He lives in a log cabin. He prints his album inserts on a 1901 pedal-powered printing press. He spends his free time gardening, and you could say that he barely owns a computer.

Putnam Smith, a young folk musician from Portland, Maine, is a downright laid-back individual, who admits that he would be more comfortable living and thriving in the 19th century. As a performer, he emulates an easy, “old-time Appalachian” attitude which he will be bringing to Madison this weekend – along with his extensive line-up of instruments.

“If you leave me in a room long enough with an instrument, I’ll write something on it,” Smith said in a recent interview with The Badger Herald.

As a man who got his start on piano and guitar at 7 years old, eventually picking up the banjo and mandolin in college, his eclectic tribe of instruments is growing larger all the time. He even has big plans for the accordion at some point in the near future.

That is, as soon as he’s able to find a moment to catch his breath.

“I’ve encountered a great response from indie radio stations across the country,” Smith humbly admitted. And after reaching number five on the national Folk DJ Charts, Smith set out to take his talent on tour, and Madison is lucky enough to be one of the stops on his nation-wide musical adventure.

Joined by this city’s own Anna Vogelzang – a fellow folk musician and friend of Smith’s, since their first meeting at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival last summer – the two performers will take the stage at The Project Lodge in Madison this Friday.

Project Lodge, which opened its doors in 2008, is the
ideal venue for such an innovative and traditional musician like Smith. Opening its
doors and stage to all types, in both the artistic and the musical
world, Smith and Vogelzang will feel right at home playing inside the
cozy walls of this experimental venue.

Hailing from Maine, Smith is proud of the influence that a backwoods background has had on his music. “I do love Maine – I think it’s a unique part of the world,” Smith said. “I take inspiration from having the woods and the ocean, and the farmland. And there’s a great community of folks there – songwriters and traditional fiddle-playing, especially.”

On both of his studio albums, this blue (2007) and Goldrush (2009), Putnam hasn’t hesitated to take advantage of the talent surrounding him in Portland and has showcased friend and cellist Seth Yentes on both recorded albums.

“[Seth] has been my right-hand man,” Smith said. “He’s just amazing… He plays in that folk-funk cello style that’s becoming so popular.”

Smith’s utilization of the so-called “funky” musical genius surrounding him in New England has led to many similar collaborations. These projects have helped to develop the style of music, described by Smith in two words, as “modern roots.”

His music might best be compared to elements of that of the familiar Yonder Mountain String Band. Better yet, it may instead be likened to the Appalachian folk music of days gone by. Harkening back to the era of 1940s bluegrass – or, older still, to the banjo and fiddle tradition of the pre-bluegrass years – Smith’s work itself is reminiscent of the musical institution from which he admittedly draws his inspiration.

Inheriting more than simply inspiration from this tradition, Smith is the lucky recipient of his great-grandfather’s banjo (from the 1880s). His broad variety of instruments, including this banjo, will be traveling with him to Madison. Every instrument, that is, with the exception of his piano – and he politely refuses to make use of any substitute for his oldest friend. “I really have an aversion to electric keyboards,” Smith insisted. “You can’t feel out the music like you can on a good old-fashioned upright.”

No matter your musical preference, Smith has something for every member of the proverbial family. You have sweet guitar ballads for mom, whiskey-loaded front porch banjo tunes for dad, clever mandolin numbers for the youngins’ – all featuring some seriously skillful piano and funky cello playing throughout.

Putnam Smith and Anna Vogelzang will be performing at The Project Lodge at 817 E. Johnson St. on Friday, December 10. Tickets are $5.