The Driftless Area began in the winter of 2016 when former Tramps & Thieves bassist, Andy Jensen, moved back home to Minneapolis. To stay fresh musically, he asked an old friend, Jayce Roberts, to jam and write songs.
After the first month, the musicians had six originals completed. Convinced to continue writing, they focused more creative energy into the project. Those six songs soon became a dozen. Andy and Jayce felt they would be strong enough to turn into an album.
That batch became the debut release from The Driftless Area, Detours.
Combining elements of their favorite Minnesota bands like The Jayhawks, Gear Daddies, Soul Asylum, and The Replacements, The Driftless Area make Heartland Americana Music: equal parts Mill City Rock-n-roll and pure, Midwestern Twang.