Without a major radio hit, music video or elaborate stage show Yonder Mountain String Band has built a grassroots following through constant touring and a unique sound.

The acoustic quartet from Colorado will end their Cabin Fever Tour in Columbus at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at PromoWest Pavilion. The show will be a co-headlining gig with improvisational rockers moe.

“It’s the last show on the tour, so you know it’s gonna be a great show no matter what,” said Yonder Mountain guitarist Adam Aijala.

Along with Aijala picking the acoustic guitar, Yonder Mountain is comprised of Jeff Austin on the mandolin, Dave Johnston playing the banjo, and Ben Kaufmann using an upright bass.

“We are unique,” said Aijala of the bands’ distinct sound that defies a traditional label. “It’s not a band that sounds like somebody else.”

Aijala rejected the often used ‘jam band’ label as too broad, the bluegrass label as too narrow and struggled to find a middle ground that accurately portrays the band’s music.

“I don’t know-you could call it alternative bluegrass,” he said over a bad connection on his cell phone.

With an all acoustic instrument setup, toe-tapping, knee-slapping and straightforward lyrics, Yonder Mountain certainly incorporates a lot of bluegrass elements into their sound. Aijala, however, claims few bluegrass influences.

“As far as bluegrass goes, my main influences are (bandmates) Jeff and Dave,” said Aijala.

Although they will be playing indoors at Promowest this weekend, Aijala said Yonder Mountain favors playing outdoor music festivals. They have participated in numerous festivals from Bonnaroo to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to their very own String Summit in Oregon.

The idea to put on their own festival has been around in one form or another sice the band formed, Aijala said. With the help of their manager and a promoter willing to finance the show, Yonder Mountain was able to put on the String Summit.

“I really enjoy playing outside,” said Aijala. “It’s refreshing and aesthetically pleasing.”

He said the diverse crowds and ability for new people to hear their music are both reasons Yonder Mountain is so involved in the festival scene.

“The live show is what really defines us,” said Aijala.

Despite their preference for playing live, the band is entirely comfortable recording in the studio. The Yonder Mountain catalogue includes three studio albums and three live albums. Their latest live release, “Mountain Tracks: Volume 3,” debuted at #2 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart.

“When we go to the studio it is different,” Aijala said. “We have the ability to paint a different picture than we normally do.”

The dynamics of the band are diplomatic and each member writes lyrics and songs and also sings, he said. This means there is no natural leader to the band.

“I’d say Jeff (Austin) is definitely a front man on stage and he’s … real good at it,” said Aijala. “But everybody’s got a lot of input into this band.”

The band is in the process of recording their next studio album. They have already begun the process and are planning on taking a few weeks at a time throughout the spring and summer to complete it.

Unlike their previous albums where each member brought songs to the group, this album will be full of new songs written by the whole band, Aijala said. They already have one song in the bag.

“It was the first song we’ve ever done where the four of us sat together with nothing and all collaboratively wrote the entire song,” said Aijala.

He added that the band is as capable of doing a studio album as a live album, but the live show really captures the essence of Yonder Mountain. Songs played live often include improvised sections from all four of the bandmates, though the songs are not always played perfectly.

“We’re not about precision,” said Aijala. “From day one that has been the case. Our crowds are really forgiving. They’re (at the show) to have fun.”

He said the bottom line is people like Yonder Mountain because of the energy brought to the music.

“The one thing I notice more than anything else at our shows is that people are smiling,” Aijala said

Yonder Mountain’s success has come quickly and Aijala said it is somewhat of a surprise.

“It’s a funny place to be,” he said. “I feel super, super fortunate to be able to play music for a living. I knew we’d do well, but I never thought we’d do as well as we’re doing now.”