A mere two months after their first appearance in Madison, Family and Friends is returning to town. On tour with The Oh Hellos and Cereus Bright, they will be at the Majestic on Saturday, Oct. 24. Their style is an interesting one to define, a blend of Georgia-style indie rock and percussive folk.
Family and Friends’ sophomore album XOXO, a fast-paced and anthemic record, features animated choruses and driving melodies. These themes are thoroughly exemplified in the second track on the record “Amadeus.” If you enjoyed early Mumford & Sons or The Avett Brothers, Family and Friends will probably be a good fit for you. Though the music is stellar, what makes the group truly extraordinary is the people in it.
I was lucky to be present when Family and Friends played a show in Cedarburg this summer. Meeting up with them after the show, I can attest that the band fits the name. They are friends first and musicians second. Observing them hanging out, I realized just how close of a relationship the band members share. It’s a tight-knit group; the band formed in Athens, Georgia, while members of the group were studying at the University of Georgia. Athens is a venerable gold mine of superb artists, with R.E.M. and The B-52’s representing just two of many exceptional bands who got their start there.
I interviewed lead singer Mike MacDonald, who acknowledged the similarities between Athens and Madison. Both cities are large enough for national bands to stop by on tour, yet small enough for up-and-comers to get noticed.
“The music scene there is amazing, it’s super supportive, and there are all sorts of genres ... it definitely helps being around the university,” MacDonald said about the music culture in Athens.
The show Saturday will be MacDonald and the band’s second show in Madison after playing the Frequency in August.
“We’re just stoked to get back, that was such a fun environment and a great show for us ... It’s going to be a super energetic show,” MacDonald said.
A song from the band was recently featured in a Samsung phone commercial. The commercial played for a national audience and was a stepping stone in the band’s career. “Samsung approached us with the opportunity, and it’s hard to turn down an opportunity like that,” MacDonald said.
Beyond their recorded music, Family and Friends’ live shows are electrifying. Drummers Ryan Houchens and Alejandro Rios are rarely seated and often dancing while they play. The two bring an infectious energy to each song. MacDonald adds that “there’s no telling what they’re going to do... they play off of each other and have a mind of their own. They are always providing energy for the band.”
However, the men with the sticks aren’t the only sources of liveliness. The bassist, affectionately dubbed “Tuna,” grooves like you wouldn’t believe, often doing the running man while pounding out the backbone of the songs. Vocalist Casey Harper has been known to break tambourines and guitarist JP McKenzie will pull out a guitar made from an oil can.
All these artists add their own talents and flair to the equation, culminating in an entertainment experience well worth the price of admission. Watching a band do what they love with the people they love in this manner is inspiring. In the end, their performances aren’t shows, they’re gatherings of Family and Friends.
