The Punch Brothers, a quintet that has been described as

The Grammy-nominated Punch Brothers, featuring mandolin player Chris Thile, will take the stage at Farthing Auditorium Friday as part of Appalachian State University's Performing Arts Series.

The Punch Brothers are a progressive bluegrass band whose ability to include other genres - including indie rock, folk, jazz and classical - has formed a strong base of support, fans said.

"I've loved Chris Thile since I was a freshman in high school when he was in Nickel Creek and later when the Punch Brothers got together," senior music therapy major Emith Smith said. "I love the blend of virtuosic playing with the down-home feel of bluegrass. A lot of their music is extremely complex harmonically."

Sophomore elementary education major Emily Fulcher is a fan of the group as well.

"The most unique quality of the group is that they've made music with some big names like Dierks Bentley [and] come plenty far in terms of recognized musical accomplishments, but still have such a unique sound and range, as well as genuinely enjoying the music they make," Fulcher said. "It seems to me that they really enjoy making music, which really shows."

While in Boone, the Punch Brothers will interact with student groups on campus.

"We always try to somehow connect the artists with the classroom in some way and the Punch Brothers will be doing some sort of outreach, probably a Q & A with a few groups on campus," said Megan Stage, manager of marketing and public relations at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. "The Appalachian Heritage Council has been working closely with us to co-promote our events, so they will be involved in the outreach event for sure."

The group will release its latest album, "Who's Feeling Young Now," Feb. 14 - making Boone the first tour date after its premiere.

"It is an honor to be their first stop," Stage said. "They are a very well-known band."

The band formed in 2006 under the name "The How to Grow a Band." They moved on to "The Tensions Mountain Boys" before settling on "The Punch Brothers."

The Punch Brothers' career includes performances at Carnegie Hall and a Grammy nomination for "The Eleventh Reel." They're also the subject of a 2011 documentary, "How to Grow a Band."

Thile, who has been playing mandolin since the age of five, joined in after deciding to take a break from his band, Nickel Creek.

Tickets for Friday's show are $10 for students and $20 for all others. For more information, visit pas.appstate.edu.

Story: MEGAN WRAPPE, Lifestyles Reporter