The Hunts, an indie-folk playing band of seven siblings, will be appearing in the Maintenance Shop on Friday, Oct. 25, supported by folk-rock band The Monks.

“We describe our music as indie folk,” said violin player Jessi Hunt. “We use a lot of folk instruments like mandolin, banjo, fiddle and guitar; but then we have an indie influence. My older brother [Josh] plays a Coldplay kind of style, and we add to it with the string instruments.”

“The show on Friday will be interesting because most all of the artists are the same age as George and myself,” said Sam Thompson, co-director of the M-Shop. “We usually work with artists, agents, and tour managers that have a few years on us. It will be nice to discuss and work with people that are the same age as us.”

The Hunts were raised on folk music by their parents starting at a very early age. 

“My mom was a music teacher,” Jessi said. “All of us kids grew up in her violin class, and through the years we all learned violin. When we got a little bit older, my dad started teaching us guitar. It was really fun; we grew up really loving music, and we played for all sorts of things; for malls, hospitals, weddings and festivals.”

Today, the Hunts travel from coast to coast sharing the musical talents that were a fundamental part of their upbringing.

“It just naturally unfolded,” Jessi said. “My mom and dad were a little duo and played for different events, and they would add another kid into the group each year or so. It just escalated from there.”

The Hunts features siblings Justin, Jenni, Jessi, Jonathan, Jordan, Josh and Jamison. They perform with a combination of vocals, acoustic guitar, violin, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, keyboard, accordion, drums and ukulele.

The siblings do not stay in one place during a show. The instruments get rotated and passed around throughout each performance.

“I think it’s entertaining to see seven brothers and sisters working together and making music,” Jessi said. “What people always love the most is our vocal harmonies, with everyone singing together. I think they also like to get the insight into what it’s like to be a family, traveling and performing.”

The Hunts signed a six-record deal in July with CherryTree Records, a label under the umbrella of Interscope. Their debut release, “We Were Young,” will serve as their first album under that relationship.

“We’re excited to start our journey with [CherryTree Records],” Jessi said. “Not much has happened so far, just a lot of paperwork and getting things ready to go. We just recorded a music video a couple weeks ago, and that should be out in the coming months.”

The Hunts also participate in The Haiti Project, a charity venture for orphans in the jungles of Haiti raising money for food and toys.

“For two years now, we’ve ran the camp for two weeks,” Jessi said. “It’s an amazing time; it’s so fun to put instruments in the kids’ hands and to see their faces light up when learn to play music.”

People may purchase tickets at the M-Shop or at MidwestTix for $12, or for $7 with an ISUCard, with a $2 up-charge the day of the show. The performance is set to start at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

“I think the uniqueness and energy from the Hunts, with a great opener like The River Monks, will make for a great show this Friday,” said Sam Thompson.