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The young string band will perform Monday, July 23, at the city's St. Francis Playground.

Consisting of Mikaela O’Reilly-Lagerhausen (lead vocals and guitar), Ryan O'Hara (guitar, fiddle and percussion), Jacob Logue (upright bass and vocals) and Brian Clare (banjo, mandolin, guitar, harmonica and vocals), the band formed about a year ago, O'Reilly-Lagerhausen said. They took its name from the Columbian Rope Co. on the suggestion of O'Hara's grandfather, who worked in the longtime Auburn factory, she said. The name lends a local authenticity to the string band and doubles as a pun for it.

O’Reilly-Lagerhausen said the band was formed by O'Hara, who also performs in the local rock trio The Primates. Wanting to put together a country act, he recruited Clare for banjo and Logue for upright bass. O’Reilly-Lagerhausen was new to the area when O'Hara, who knew her sister, asked her to round out the lineup on guitar and vocals.

"I'm probably the newest musician in the group," she said. "It's great to be with some crazy talented people and learn from them firsthand."

O’Reilly-Lagerhausen described Old Rope Factory's style as country in the traditional sense. Its shows are relaxed, she continued, but its music has the kind of rhythm for moving and grooving. The band's covers range from classics like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to modern bluegrass and Americana groups like The Tillers and Tyler Childers. But the band is also writing its own material, such as Clare's song "Genesee River," which O’Reilly-Lagerhausen called one of her favorites to perform. The band is also open to recording and releasing its songs at some point, she said.

Because Auburn's music scene leans toward classic and modern rock, O’Reilly-Lagerhausen said the new string band has quickly claimed a niche in the area. It's already played return sets at venues like Moondog's Lounge and Ancient Order of Hibernians, and as the band plays before new audiences like St. Francis Playground this summer, she hopes it becomes even busier.

"If people want to see you and they can't go to any other bands for that kind of music, it has that pull," she said.

2018 Auburn free summer concert series schedule

• Thursday, July 5: Modus Operandi at Market Street Park, Market Street (Note: The band said on its Facebook page that this will be its final performance.)

• 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10: Perform 4 PurposeÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýJoe Whiting Band followed by "Despicable Me 3" at Hoopes Park, 100 S. Herman Ave.

• Thursday, July 12: The Jasper Stills at Market Street Park

• Tuesday, July 17: Magical Mystery Tour followed by "Paddington 2" at Hoopes Park

• Wednesday, July 18: Gallows Road followed by "Cars 3" at Clifford Field, Mary Street

• Thursday, July 19: Inside Job at Market Street Park

• Monday, July 23: Old Rope Factory followed by "The Nut Job 2" at St. Francis Playground, 25 Underwood St.

• Tuesday, July 24: Mark Doyle & The Maniacs followed by "Deep" at Hoopes Park

• Thursday, July 26: Jam Factor at Market Street Park

• Tuesday, July 31: Infinity followed by "Storks" at Hoopes Park

• Wednesday, Aug. 1: Nuclear Ukulele at Clifford Field

• Thursday, Aug. 2: Stone Cold Miracle at Market Street Park

• Tuesday, Aug. 7: TJ Sacco Band followed by "The Emoji Movie" at Hoopes Park

• Thursday, Aug. 9: Infrared Radiation Orchestra at Market Street Park

• Tuesday, Aug. 14: Diana Jacobs Band followed by "Jumanji" at Hoopes Park

• Thursday, Aug. 16: Saint Bernard at Market Street Park

• 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20: PermaFest with Perform 4 PurposeÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýNorthside Blues Band followed by "The Lorax" at Miles/Lepak Park

• Tuesday, Aug. 21: Dunes & The Del-Tunes followed by "Sherlock Gnomes" at Hoopes Park

• Thursday, Aug. 23: Proud Walkers at Market Street Park

• Tuesday, Aug. 28: Funky Blu Roots followed by "Pirates of the Caribbean" at Hoopes Park

• Wednesday, Aug. 29: Johnny Rage Band at Clifford Field

• Thursday, Aug. 30: Lock 52 Jazz Band at Market Street Park

All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and are free and open to the public. For more information, visit .