RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2023. CATALOG # 202310. UPC: 855925004875

Toeing the line between acoustic folk and progressive bluegrass, Big Fan of the Bison began as a project among friends in Denton, Texas. Members Kyle Gordon (mandolin), Sara Beth Hooper (vocals), Ethan Stalbaum (guitar), Chris Petro (drums), Collins McLaughlin (fiddle), and Willie Wrinkle (bass) had all met through school or other musical engagements, finding common ground in their love of collaboration and songwriting. Drawing from diverse musical backgrounds, the band created a sound all their Own, that combines a deep love of folk music, classical, jazz, pop, rock, and everything in between. Their individual abilities as sought-after instrumentalists, arrangers, composers, and songwriters all add to a unique voice that is truly greater than the sum of its parts, and their debut, “Songs from the Frontier.” The band formed in 2018 as a project among close friends, most of whom met while studying music at the University of North Texas. What began as a relaxed weekly gathering centered around playing traditional bluegrass tunes and covers slowly transformed into an outlet for original songs. Over the course of roughly two years and spurred on by de facto manager and friend Jimmy Haslip, an eclectic musical style began to take shape. The combination of each member’s diverse musical background with Hooper’s captivating melodies and ever-memorable lyrics is compelling, moving, and beautiful. While each track on the album offers a refreshing change of pace, it feels like a unified whole. It straddles more than a few genres: Folk, Bluegrass, Americana, and even a hint of Country, with subtle nods to the members’ rigorous classical and jazz training managing to peek through. At its core, this album is a collection of emotional and deeply relatable songs, expressed with an exceptional degree of nuance and taste that is wonderfully unique.

 TRACKS

1. COLD HEARTED 3:12

2. TOP OF THE WORLD 4:01

3. BETTER OFF 3:40

4. YOU AGAIN 3:33

5. JUST ENOUGH 3:25

6. 5-20 4:24

7. HORIZON 3:34

8. BRIGHTER DAYS 4:05

9. RED ROCKING CHAIR 3:56

10. RELYKS 4:26