The state of Maine usually doesn’t come to mind when thinking of an up-and-coming music scene but it has become home to the Americana movement and home to The Piners, a group of five musicians who blend various musical styles and different key influences into one unforgettable sound.The Piners first national tour, “Out of the Woods,” will bring them to Columbus’ Thirsty Ear Tavern Friday night with songs from their self-titled debut CD.The Piners are comprised of female lead vocalist Boo Cowie; songwriter Haakon Kallweit on vocals, bass and guitar; vocalist Pip Walters on guitar and bass; Phil Bloch on the fiddle and mandolin; and Tim Myers on percussion. The group’s name originates from the members native state of Maine, the Pine Tree State, and their “crying and pining” when they were down on their luck. Cowie describes The Piners’ sound, which is heavily influenced by bluegrass, country, folk, blues and The Beatles, as a music melting pot of Americana.”It’s rootsy, bluesy, country and old-time country with harmony-laced vocals and roots-based country,” Cowie said. “It’s something not normally listened to.” Cowie is the only female in the group and handles the spotlight well. “It’s pretty cool being the only female. It brings attention to me. They place me in the middle and I’m up there dancing and enjoying myself,” Cowie said. “I play some guitar and some tambourine. Haak also shares the limelight and shares the singing.”Cowie’s inspiration came from her brother Ted who disciplined her on harmonies and pulled her into playing with his bands. Touring and being separated from family and children can also be difficult but the members support each other.”I get homesick. We’ve been out on the road for two weeks but my daughter is very understanding,” Cowie said. “A lot of adults are helping to raise her when I’m out on the road.”The Piners began the group as a trio, but when they played at the Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival in 1997, Walters announced that they needed a soloist. Bloch volunteered to join The Piners. “Tim (Myers) came in and put down drum tracks after the CD was done,” Cowie said. “He decided he wanted to stick around.”The addition of Bloch and Meyers has helped the band get where they are today. The five members of the Piners have been together for more than a year.”It was a natural progression. We needed a bigger sound,” Cowie said. “It feels like we have known each other forever.”The Piners were featured in September on Maine’s Public Broadcasting Service in a one hour concert special which will air again in November.”We hopefully will start recording a new CD in January. We have to keep the people back home happy,” Cowie said. “We will probably be going to California on our next tour in February or March.” The Piners look forward to bringing their Americana music to Columbus.”The concerts are an experience with our diverse personalities. It’s entertaining,” Cowie said. “Come out and have fun.”The Piners will be performing at 9 p.m. Friday at Thirsty Ear Tavern, 1200 W. Third Ave. The cover charge is $10 and those ages 21 and up are welcome. For more information call 299-4987.