Grass Root Kids
Nashville, Tennessee, United States | SELF
Music
Press
CLARKSVILLE, TENN. – — “I found your letters in wrapped up scarf, a clever place to hide your heart.”
Hard to imagine, but lyrics like that one and more were the product of six Nashville musicians acting as a collective, Grass Root Kids, in their song “Forty Dead Men.” Just imagine six unique musicians coming together to create something beautiful yet cohesive.
January of this year, the Grass Root Kids came to be. It began as a couple of long-time friends and musicians — Jared, Mark, and Chris — who needed a few extra parts to call themselves a band.
Even when they got those extras parts via Craigslist listings, they called themselves a collective.
“Truthfully,” says Chris Pottinger, bassist and vocalist, “we think ‘collective’ sounds better. (The writing) is more of a collaboration.”
Pottinger thinks things are going well for the group, and he attributes a lot of that to the strong relationship the founding members of the band had already formed: “The comfort we have together makes the foundation of the band so strong,” he said.
He isn’t eager to label their sound.
“It’s hard to gauge,” he said.
Based on their live shows, they have been likened to Manchester Orchestra and Arcade Fire.
Grass Root Kids played in Chattanooga last weekend. Matt Brown wrote on Facebook, “Loved the set and I can’t wait to hear some more.”
So far, only one song is up for listening online, but they are releasing an EP called “Loose Change” on Oct. 19, which will be available on iTunes for purchase.
This eclectic, talented bunch made their Clarksville debut back in July at a fundraiser for The Coup, and they’re coming back 10:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 7, to perform at Riverfest.
Sample Grass Root Kids’ sound for free at Riverfest on The Coup stage
- The Leaf Chronicle
Discography
Loose Change EP available now on iTunes!
Photos
Bio
Grass Root Kids started with a desire to do something genuine and in November of 2011, Kyle Hassenfratz and Chris Pottinger formed the foundation of what would become Grass Root Kids in that same spirit. After one jam session with Kyle, Chris brought in friends and fellow musicians Jared Cooper and Mark Summarell. Having recently moved to Nashville, Joska Borbely was invited to come out as well. After 3 months of writing, rehearsing and bonding they played their debut show at Nashville’s Limelight to a room of 60 people. Shortly after that, Grass Root Kids expanded their lineup with talented vocalist and violinist Grace McCaw.
Since then, Grass Root Kids have made their debut in cities across the Southeastern United States. They have garnered attention from “The Deli Magazine” being selected as their “Band of the Month” for September of 2012. In that same month, Grass Root Kids headlined their first festival stage at Clarksville’s Riverfest. In November of 2012 they they played the very exclusive East Nashville Underground Festival. Word of their live show is spreading through Indie blogs with comparisons to the likes of Manchester Orchestra and Arcade Fire. One fan at a time, people are starting to take notice.
On July 13th, the friends, family and fans of Grass Root Kids successfully funded the Kickstarter project for GRK’s debut EP “Loose Change”. Together, they raised over 20% of their goal.
On October 1st, 2012, Grass Root Kids released their debut EP “Loose Change” on Itunes and Spotify, followed by their physical EP Release show at The High Watt on Oct. 19th, 2012. Up until then, everything accomplished by Grass Root Kids was done on the strength of one demo, their drive and the fans that took heed and supported them.
If Grass Root Kids can do all of this in one year and with one song, what can they do over the next year with 5 songs?
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