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KZFR Presents Front Country

This is Friends of KZFR Melody Walker and Jacob Groopman's band.

We'll never forget their show at Mary's House for the KZFR Christmas party several years ago.

Don't ask Front Country what kind of music they play. Just listen.

What started as a group of friends playing bluegrass in San Francisco's Mission District has morphed into a touring powerhouse of song and sound, transcending their humble stringband roots. Front Country's dynamic instrumental textures take flight with grace and gravitas while rooted in the relentlessly soulful vocals of lead singer-songwriter Melody Walker. Along with mandolinist Adam Roszkiewicz, guitarist Jacob Groopman, violinist Leif Karlstrom and bassist Jeremy Darrow, this quintet has been called "passionately intoxicating" and "orchestral" and Melody's bluesy vocals have been described as "rafter-shaking". Seldom traditional, always original, Front Country's new album Sake of the Sound is out now.

What folks are saying about Front Country:
They somehow strike that perfect blend of soaring vocals, impressive playing and interesting song choices - Fretboard Journal

"A ground-breaking, genre-shaking performance San Francisco-based group screwed up every tradition of the sound America gave to the world and remoulded it again" - Spalding Today UK
"Their music occupies a hinterland that extends much further than bluegrass, however, reaching into a beyond that at times makes them the missing link between Punch Brothers and the Penguin Café Orchestra and even extends to the prog rock of Family and King Crimson" - The Herald, Scotland UK

"They're progressive yet organic with a sound that's brand new but familiar at the same time" - Tim Carbone
Front Country blend everything from high-lonesome mountain music to new-wave power pop, newgrass picking, oldgrass harmonies, and just plain glorious musicality. This is Americana at its best: music with deep roots and wide-ranging vision - Popatunes

"Bluegrass, Progressive Bluegrass, Newgrass, Americana, Folk-Pop In today's music world it can be totally exhausting to try and put music in a box and deliver it under one clear, clean description. In this case, one thing is undeniable this is damn fine music! - Woody Platt
The synthesis is dramatic - the gutsy depth and underlying power of the vocals, sharp lead guitar, attacking violin breaks, and a subtle and far-reaching mix of harmonies - Folkwords