THE WHOLESOME BOYS – AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND
By Ralph Beauchamp
The Wholesome Boys are on an upswing. The Nashville foursome will be releasing their third single from their forthcoming self-titled album entitled “Tonight It’s Just Us” on January 31st. Their previous two singles, “Lies and Crying” and “Desert Diamonds” garnished them major critical acclaim from both their fans and critics alike. The Wholesome Boys‘ sound captures a classic rock groove with contemporary indie leanings therefore making their music both timeless and fresh.. They also bridge many different genres with an authentic sensibility. The band is comprised of Nate Fredrick (Vocal/Guitar), Frank Patrick James (Guitar), Andrew Foreman (Bass) and Dylan Miller (Drums).
The Wholesome Boys‘ music is sonically dynamic while incorporating propulsive downbeats and echoing guitars. Fredrick’s vocals are dramatically edgy yet retain a harmonic lushness. His voice delivers vibrant cinematic textures. James’ guitar is flush with stellar guitar licks. Foreman’s bass is crushingly sublime while Miller’s percussions are exuberant with a tenacious demeanor. The Wholesome Boys are also excellent songwriters. Their songs always tell a story. In addition, the band has shared the stage with the likes of Morgan Wade and Clint Black. Like I said, The Wholesome Boys are on a huge positive roll.
The Wholesome Boys were kind enough to sit with AMP for this in-depth interview.
AMP: I know that this is a question you must get all the time but I have to go there. How wholesome are The Wholesome Boys?
TWB: The Wholesome Boys are by no means Boy Scouts. However, we do intend to embody a certain level of integrity. The name has less to do with being an upright citizen and more to do with how we treat others and ourselves and our art.
AMP: Can you give us a brief history of the band?
TWB: It all began when we hit the road to play Nate’s solo record and record an EP. In the hotel rooms and in rehearsals we would share our music with each other and it sort of just happened. Once we started writing together it became an entirely different band and we’ve followed that feeling ever since.
AMP: We’ve read that the four of you currently lead a life of sobriety. Do you feel that assists you in your creative process?
TWB: Getting sober was easily one of the best things that ever happened to us. It has allowed us to live a life that’s much more easily managed and includes genuine and visceral moments of pure joy. It’s not a focal point of our message as artists. It simply works for us.
AMP: The band has released two awesome singles this year. Both “Lies And Crying” and “Desert Diamonds” have an unique indie flair. How would you describe your sound?
TWB: We like to refer to ourselves as Alternative. Rock and Roll is our primary focus but we can hear all of our individual influences shining through in many different ways. From country and blues to heavy metal and folk.
AMP: What is the internal energy of the band like?
TWB: It’s like a lava tube. Red hot, pressurized molten earth turning into itself. We’re always eager, excited and grateful to be in this band.
AMP: You are based in Nashville but recorded your album in Brooklyn with your producer Ben Rice. How did that transpire?
TWB: A beautiful man by the name of Patrick Clifford hooked us up with Ben Rice. We sent Patrick our demo for ‘Desert Diamonds’ and he thought Ben might like it. When we met with Ben for the first time, it was like meeting your cool older brother you never knew you had. It was an instant connection that we’re blessed to share. Ben Rice is an absolute mensch and has helped us shape our sound and find a deeper understanding of making music together.
AMP: Your new album is being released shortly. How stoked are you? And do you feel there’s a track that will turn heads?
TWB: We are so proud of it and cannot wait! We don’t have a date nailed down but it will be in 2025. Out of the 10 tracks we can’t pick just one that we think will turn heads. We’re proud of every track and think that, depending on the head, many will make it turn or bop up and down.
AMP: The band has an extensive touring history. Any particular tour or gig stand out?
TWB: Hands down, our cumulative favorite gig was getting to open for Morgan Wade at First Avenue in Minneapolis. PURPLE RAIN, PURPLE RAIN!
AMP: What’s your favorite song to play live?
TWB: That’s a hard one. They all stand out for their own unique reasons but we have a brand new song that’s not on the record titled “N.Y.C.” that is particularly fun to perform.
AMP: What’s next for The Wholesome Boys?
TWB: We have a brand new single off the recording dropping January 31st! The full production music video is something to keep your eyes peeled for. The video draws inspiration from the music videos we loved as kids, blending their familiarity with bold, cinematic visuals to create something new and engaging.
To learn more about Wholesome Boys, check out their Website
Follow on: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Stream music: Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud
Purchase: Amazon Music
Views: 27
