BENTON HARBOR — The Mendel Center Hanson Theatre Living Room Series returns for a fourth season of fresh, emerging artists and lively regional entertainment in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The series opens with The Way Down Wanderers at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.

The band’s music is fast-paced and soulful and consists of a five-piece modern-folk Americana act. The Way Down Wanderers seek to draw listeners in with energy, originality, and soulful tunes. Professionally trained, these young men are known for captivating their audiences with soaring instrumentals, foot-stomping sing-alongs and a lively stage show.

Additionally, they  have created a buzz for themselves with their unplugged, off-stage encores and propensity for performing self-titled, “rest stomps” — free acoustic sets at rest and truck stops along their tour routes.

“I referred to The Way Down Wanderers music previously as ‘bluegrass-inflected’ but there’s lots more going here and their offerings have been diverse enough to think these guys might be capable of pursuing just about any direction they care to in the future,” said Richard Milne, host of Local Anesthetic on WXRT-FM Chicago. “Something else I rarely say about any of the acts that I’m proud to play on Local Anesthetic [is that] I can see these guys getting really popular. Really popular.”

The band’s debut album, produced by Mike Marsh of the Avett Brothers and recorded at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas, is available now.

Local brewing company The Livery will offer an array of craft beers before the show and during intermission. Their craft beer creations will be available at the cash bar in the Hanson Theatre lobby. The Livery will also provide samples of its house-made, spent-grain pizza along with beers available for sampling from growlers.

The Hanson Living Room Series is a live music experience in the intimate setting of the 250-seat Hanson Theatre. The venue is designed for maximum viewing and listening pleasure, and provides audiences with the opportunity to connect more closely with the performers and the performances. Other shows in the series scheduled for Jan. 12 and Feb. 23,  will be announced in the coming weeks. The Hanson Theatre Living Room Series is sponsored by The Livery and the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council.

Tickets for The Way Down Wanderers are on sale at TheMendelCenter.com, through The Mendel Center box office at (269) 927-8700, option 1, and in person weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the box office located in The Mendel Center, 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor. Discounts are available for seniors, students and children, active military members, and veterans.

• Band accolades include:

• Song picker’s 2016 Best Songs Spotify Playlist

• Official Showcase, IBMA, 2016

• Finalist, International Song Writing Competition, 2015

• WXRT’s Local Anesthetic’s Best Dozen Releases of 2015

• WXRT’s Music and Movies Poll: Ranked among Chicago’s best local artists

• Chicago’s Best Emerging Artist, 2014 – Deli Magazine