"Into the wilderness we go," blogged singer-songwriter Ryan Montbleau as the band drove from Fargo to his show in Billings Wednesday.

The Massachusetts singer-songwriter didn't seem too far off the map as he hit the stage at the Railyard last night to a mixed crowd of NILE fans, bar patrons and a sizeable hippie fan contingent there for opener Anonymous String Association.

With a mix of folk, blues, jazz and country, the band had something for everyone, and a uptempo drumbeat and a driving bass that made standing still impossible.

Montbleau's songs don't break any ground not already tread on by the likes of G. Love, Martin Sexton, Ray LaMontagne or Brett Dennen.

His impeccable musicianship, however, shines through on all the well-crafted tunes, and Montbleau has put together a band of supremely talented musicians for a thrououghly enjoyable night of music.