A trio of contemporary folk musicians with Kane County roots has a homecoming of sorts on Jan. 6, when they perform in Elgin.

The story of Ask Your Folks is one of musical innovation and youthful entrepreneurship. The trio’s style is unlike anything you’ve heard before, creating original, 21st century folk music that draws heavily on the old time and bluegrass idioms.

“In a lot of ways, what we’re trying to do is break down barriers through innovative arrangements and thoughtful compositions,” said Eli Broxham, the St. Charles native who not only plays bass for the group but also serves as its chief information officer, marketing guru and PR liaison.

Owen Burton, Libby Weitnauer and Broxham started playing together during their freshman year at the DePaul University School of Music. The following year, they started performing at Chicago-area farmer’s markets, and in 2013 formed Ask Your Folks. Writing continuously ever since, they have built a large body of original music and branched from farmer’s markets to house shows, concert series and radio broadcasts, performing at such venues as City Winery, Hinsdale Acoustic Renaissance Series, Knoxville’s WDVX Blue Plate Special and Chicago Cultural Center’s Chamber Monday Concert Series.

Though classically trained, their music is rooted in American styles. The result is an eclectic sound with thoughtfulness at its core and musicality at the heart of their performances.

Ask Your Folks will be performing at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at First United Methodist Church, 216 E Highland Ave., Elgin. The evening is a homecoming for Broxham, an alumnus of St. Charles North High School, but it is also a celebration of the group’s new EP, “Just in Case,” and kicks off a tour that stretches from Chicago to North Carolina.

Tickets for the Jan. 6 concert are $12 for adults, $6 for students, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets can be reserved by emailing askyourfolks@gmail.com. Visit askyourfolks.com for more information on the group.

SOURCE: Ask Your Folks news release