Ellen Stanley, lead banjo player and vocalist with Mother Banjo will be celebrating the release of the band’s new album at The Grand today.

NEW ULM — The Minneapolis-based folk band Mother Banjo is returning to New Ulm today at The Grand.

This is Mother Banjo’s first visit to the Grand in two years. The special performance is to celebrate the release of the new album “Eyes on the Sky,” Mother Banjo’s first album release in six years.

The album was tracked live on the stage of the historic Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, with Ellen Stanley on lead banjo and vocals.

Her award-winning band includes Ben Cook-Feltz (keyboards, vocals), Dan Gaarder (guitars, vocals), Jim Parker (mandolin) and Eric Paulson (bass). This full band will be joining her for this special release show – her last show in the area before Mother Banjo goes on maternity leave to become a new mother.

Stanley said the record was written over six years of great personal changes including marriage, loss, pregnancy and serious soul-searching in a contentious political climate.

“Although this is my most personal album to date, this collection of songs is ultimately about looking beyond oneself and keeping your eyes on the big picture so we can be more present for each other,” Stanley said.

“Making this record helped me get back to what matters- reconnecting with friends and making music in community with others.”

Stanley is the lead vocal and banjo player. She was raised in New England. Early on, her influences were classical music and even Rock n’ Roll.

“I played music my whole life,” Stanley said. “In college I got more interested in folk and bluegrass. I was an avid writer and musician, but could not marry the two on piano.”

After college, Stanley came to Minneapolis. She decided to learn an acoustic instrument to accompany her singing. She settled on the banjo because Stanley always loved the instrument and felt “the world had plenty of mediocre guitar players, but not enough mediocre banjo players.”

After learning the banjo she immediately found out the instrument was a good fit. She began playing songs; covers at first but later began to write her own stuff.

Mother Banjo’s first EP, “Swing Low” was released in 2007 and it changed Stanley’s perspective.

“It opened a new part of my brain,” she said. “Good melody and words is all you need for a good song.”

Mother Banjo’s music is best described as folk-Americana music. The music does have a country-blue grass feel to it, but Stanley explained that folk music is a broad category.

“Eyes on the Sky,” is the title song from Mother Banjo and it is the breakout hit of the album. Stanley said it is the song radio stations play the most.

“Initially I was thinking about the world getting crazier every day,” Stanley said about writing the song. “It’s almost easier to take cover and hide, but you need to keep your eyes on the bigger picture.”

Mother Banjo’s performance at the Grand is a great opportunity for fans to see the band in concert. Stanley said they are trying to fit in as many tour spots before she goes on maturity leave. Her due date is May 28.

Stanley said she is touring close to home as the date approaches. Her pregnancy does make the shows interesting.

“For the most part its okay, but I have to play differently,” she said. “Physically I have to play the banjo to the side because my belly is in the way.”

The best part is Stanley is really living up to the band name. She said, “I have truly become The Mother Banjo!”

Mother Banjo will play the Grand Kabaret stage at 7:30 p.m. today. Admission is free. For more info, videos and tour dates, visit www.motherbanjo.com.

For those who cannot attend the album release concert, Mother Banjo’s music can be found on the website and is available through streaming.