Dropping by Ames for a return performance at the M-Shop are modern folk Americana band, The Way Down Wanderers.

Back and better than ever for another show in the new year are the quintet from America’s heartland, Austin Krause-Thompson (guitar/ lead vocals), Collin Krause (mandolin/ lead vocals), John Merikoski (drums), John Williams (bass/ vocals) and Travis Kowalsky (banjo/ fiddle).

Writing and performing together for the past four years, the band debuted with their EP “Wellspring” before releasing their first self-titled full album. More recently, the band came out with their sophomore album “illusions” in late February.

Generating buzz from being featured in media such as Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists You Need to Know” and the Associated Press, the band’s work on “illusions” is certainly paying off as they steadily rise through the ranks of music.

The Way Down Wanderers started their tour in support of their new album.

“We just kicked off the release tour,” Krause-Thompson said. “Finally putting all our new songs on stage was a super good feeling. We are super pumped up to be back on the road, for sure. To see people already singing along to our new songs left me kind of speechless, it’s really amazing.” 

Krause-Thompson noted some differences in this tour compared to their last.

“The overall energy is a lot higher, probably due to the fact that we haven’t had an album out in a couple of years,” Krause-Thompson said. “It just a really fresh feeling, like it’s new but not unfamiliar. We’re also playing with a keyboard player for a few days, so it’ll be really fun to get some new sounds on the stage.”

The last time Ames saw the band, “illusions” was still in the process of being made. Krause-Thompson talked about the album and the work that went into writing and producing it. Both Krause and Krause-Thompson came down with bronchitis while recording the album, forcing them to book additional time in the studio.

“It’s been a very long and anxious wait for the whole band,” Krause-Thompson said.

While the road to releasing their new album was not as smooth as hoped or expected, Krause-Thompson is very pleased with how “illusions” turned out.

For the new record, the band worked out of L.A. with Grammy-winning producer David Schiffman who has produced for artists like Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow and Weezer. The way Krause-Thompson described their writing process, it seems the band has grown even more into working collaboratively, with Krause-Thompson and Krause starting on a song’s “skeleton” and showing a tune to each other before bringing it to the band to be further expanded and refined. He explained working together in the studio felt easier the second time around.

“Our production process was really organic,” Krause-Thompson said. “We didn’t push many ideas that were too out of left field or that ones that we weren’t really jiving with in a natural way. Learning from last year and going into it while knowing what to expect on the day to day, having a process and getting a system down made everything a lot smoother.”

“illusions” still carries the band’s distinctive sound while highlighting their progress as musicians. In a modern yet simple take, this record manages to blend many different genres of music together with soft and soulful vocals, intertwined with well thought out melodies that build an atmosphere for their listeners. The album thematically reflects on the life experience.

“We didn’t necessarily set out with a concept but after they came, we found that a lot of the record is about appreciating the time that you have and recognizing what comes and goes in a lifetime,” Krause-Thompson said. “Some of it is about other hardships or people we know but its really about what you gain and lose through life. It’s pretty broad but I think that’s a general concept to keep in mind while listening to the album.”

Along with the album, the band released a music video for a track on the album “All My Words.” The video was filmed at East Peoria High School, Krause-Thompson’s alma-mater, an experience the band had fun with.

“We filmed it in an older part of the school where classes aren’t held anymore,” Krause-Thompson said. “It had a really dope vintage look that really fit with the video and it was great to collaborate with the dancers and the sign language interpreters. Dancing on camera was different and fun to learn. Also, it’s always great to push your boundaries a little bit.”

The Way Down Wanderers will be going out west for the spring then doing lots of stuff in the Midwest for the summer for the rest of their tour. Krause-Thompson is looking forward to their upcoming performance at the M-Shop.

“I’m looking forward to getting people dancing to our new songs,” Krause-Thompson said. “This album is a lot groovier so I’m excited to switch up the texture of the whole show. We’re super stoked and can’t wait to come back.” 

The Way Down Wanderers play the M-Shop March 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 for ISU students and $12 for the public with a $2 increase on the day of the show. They are available for purchase at the M-Shop box office or online via Midwestix. Des Moines-based folk Americana duo Harper and Lee will be opening the show.