Hailing from the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York,
the Felice Brothers blend folk, Americana, and revivalist roots rock into a uniquely earthy sound. Brothers
Ian,
Simone, and
James Felice grew up in the Hudson River Valley, several miles away from the musical hamlet of Woodstock. Such icons as
Bob Dylan and
the Band once found inspiration in the region, and the
Felice youngsters were driven by a similar muse, gathering every Sunday afternoon for jam sessions and cookouts at their father's house. As their skills improved, the brothers opted to leave the Catskills and relocate to New York City.
With
James playing accordion,
Simone playing drums,
Ian handling guitar/vocal duties, and a former dice-playing friend named Christmas Clapton on bass, the quartet held informal performances in subway stations while hawking its debut album, 2006's
Through These Reigns and Gone. Recorded in a chicken coop by the bandmates themselves, the album was rough and imperfect, as was the follow-up effort, Tonight at the Arizona. Such a distinct, ramshackle sound found a quick audience, however, particularly after the band toured alongside
Bright Eyes and participated in one of
Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble performances in late 2007. The new year brought similar luck, as
the Felice Brothers inked a deal with Team Love Records and released a self-titled LP in early 2008. Several rounds of touring followed, including festival stops at Bonnaroo, All Points West, Mountain Jam, and the Newport Folk Festival (where an afternoon rainstorm cut power to the stage, resulting in an impromptu acoustic performance in the mud).
The Felice Brothers then returned to the studio, emerging in 2009 with
Yonder Is the Clock. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide