Hey music fans!
I’m back with another artist for you all to check out! Thank you for your patience; I should be able to share a new artist every month from now on.
My next band is a six-piece from Nashville called The Apache Relay. A relatively young group, they formed when vocalist/bassist Michael Ford, Jr. met guitarist Mike Harris (aka “Big Mike”) in college. Originally, Ford, Jr. was just looking for a band to help play his own music, but shortly after hiring Harris’ trio, The Apache Relay, he discovered instant chemistry between the four of them. The quartet paired with a producer who had previously worked with beloved folk rock band The Avett Brothers to release its 2009 debut, 1988 (which doesn’t appear to be available on Spotify or Amazon, unfortunately). After lots of touring and working on its sound, The Apache Relay released its sophomore album, American Nomad, in 2011. The band added two more members and set out for more touring, which included several dates opening for Mumford & Sons and a debut at Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2012.
I’d describe The Apache Relay’s sound as a fusion of indie folk rock and good old-fashioned Americana. Think of the intricate, rich melodies and sound of Young the Giant (the two bands’ lead vocalists sound somewhat similar, but maybe I’m the only one who thinks that) combined with the unrestrained rock and roll sound and feel of Bruce Springsteen. They work together beautifully in American Nomad to create an album that is introspective and thoughtful in its lyrics yet big enough in its sound to work as a crank-up-the-volume road trip album. Take the title track, for example, as Michael Ford, Jr. sings about getting lost so he can start over against a loud but melodious mix of electric guitar, drums, and violin. Or “Home Is Not Places,” a rockin’ track that carries the simple but profound reminder that “home is not places, it is love.” For something soulful, try “Watering Hole,” which combines slow blues and gospel sounds with lyrics that ponder our tendency to feel lonely (“What a shame to find that we are alone only in our minds”) and to seek fulfillment in the wrong places (“So why does a man go out wandering when he knows that he has all he’ll ever need?”).
While The Apache Relay’s sophomore album is solid, I recommend seeing them perform live, if you get the chance. I saw them at Mumford & Sons’ Gentlemen of the Road festival in Dixon, Illinois last summer and they blew my mind. Right now, their touring schedule is a bit sparse and contains mostly festival appearances, including Firefly (Dover, DE) and Revival (Birmingham, AL), plus an appearance at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol, VA/TN. Make sure to stay tuned to their tour page for more dates and to learn how you can get tickets to their upcoming festival appearances!
Live, Love, Learn,
Totally agree. I saw them for the first time Nov 2013 as they opened for Trampled by Turtles. Completely blown away. Bought American Nomad and have been playing it repeatedly.
Thanks for the comment, Todd! I’ve been wanting to see them again since my first time last summer. They’re coming back to my area in February and March 2014…I just might have to buy tickets 🙂 Happy listening!