One of the West Coast’s premiere up-and-coming jamgrass bands has finally embarked on a national tour, bringing their non-traditional bluegrass folk rock to cities on the East Coast and everywhere in between. On Monday, Portland, Oregon-based group Fruition made their debut in Richmond, VA, a town known more for their metal and indie bands than their love of bluegrass, but optimally placed for mountain music near the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Having played two sets (a main stage and late night) at Maryland’s DelFest over Memorial Day weekend, many string band fans in greater DMV region (DC, MD, VA) got their first taste of this 8 year old project; others have heard selections off their newest album Labor of Love on SiriusXM, and the result is packed houses on Monday nights in towns where they’ve never played. If there’s a band that’s doing it right, it’s Fruition.
They opened the show with one of their catchy and quintessential tunes, “Just One of Them Nights,” the title track from the band’s 2013 release. Another mellow song eased the crowd at Capital Ale House to the their feet and by their energetic “Never Again” the dinner crowd was getting down. Three powerful players and songwriters make up the front line- guitarist/vocalist/harmonica player Jay Cobb Anderson, guitarist/vocalist/ keys player Kellen Asebroek, and mandolinist/vocalist/guitarist Mimi Naja. They are supported by the steady and strong rhythm section of Jeff Leonard on bass and Tyler Thompson on drums and banjo.
The band played a healthy mixture of old and new tunes, laced with friendly banter between people who clearly connect with one another. Naja noted that her father was in the audience, and she thought he might have been the only one. They thanked and sang the praises of local Americana act South Hill Banks who opened the show and, about halfway through the show, played an unforgettable run of songs that included “There She Was” and newly released “Santa Fe” and “Falling On My Face.” The band’s lyrical dominance is just as pronounced as their flawless harmonies, both shared by front line and laid raw for the audience to absorb.
A moving closing sequence started with the poignant track “Mountain Annie” and ending with the title track “Labor of Love,” a clear description of the heartfelt efforts they presented and the dedication to their craft. With fans filled the intimate music hall with cheers that brought the 5 piece band back to the stage and treated fans to a hard rocking electric version of their song, “Death Comes Knockin.”
Fruition will be bringing the love to The 7th Annual Festy Experience in Arrington, VA, hosted by The Infamous Stringdusters. Over the next couple weeks, they will zigzag across the country before a New Year’s Run at The Wonder Ballroom in their hometown Portland, Oregon. Visit the band’s website for details on tour dates and to purchase albums to enjoy Fruition when you can’t make it out to one of their amazing live shows.
Words by Carly Shields, all photos courtesy of Sam Shinault Photography.
