We are The Roosevelts: America's Own Indie-Rock Act
The Roosevelts lead singer James Mason muses on the birth of their name:
“It was Presidents’ Day. It was our first day in the studio. We had the songs, but we didn’t have a name. There were two of them, and two of us. – I like to think they would have been fans of our music.”
As one half of the electric duo along with lead guitarist Jason Kloess, the two brothers – in song, not blood (though maybe beards) – carved a distinctive niche on the renowned live music scene of Austin, Texas, before their recent move to the music industry’s “third coast” – Nashville, Tennessee. Together, the songsmiths cultivated a sound that's a little bluesy, a little bit folky, and a little bit rock 'n' roll. Sure, there's some mandolin in there, but most importantly, it's just heartfelt, genuine music that belongs to them alone, not any genre. When forced to give it a name, the boys will tell you it’s “harmony-driven American rock with a 70s sensibility.”
Still, some tastemakers are describing their sound as “warm, rootsy pop.” Ultimately, you might have to decide for yourself.
The Roosevelts are a “live” band if there ever was one. 2016 found The Roosevelts completing a run of at-capacity tour dates and one-nighters with Robert Earl Keen, Green River Ordinance, and Grace Potter; a featured spot at the BMI Songwriters Festival in Key West; and hard-earned feature spots at world-famous, tastemaker festivals South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits Festival.