Music-News.com caught up with Home Free - Austin Brown (high tenor), Tim Foust (bass), Rob Lundquist (tenor), Adam Rupp (vocal percussion/beat boxer) and Chris Rupp (baritone) - for an exclusive interview. Click above to see the full uncut chat.
The boys even had time to give Music-News.com an exclusive live session, as below.
Country quintet and winners of the US talent show “The Sing-Off” (season 4), Home Free have just released their third studio album, COUNTRY EVOLUTION, via Sony Music.
Produced by long-time collaborator Darren Rust, the high-energy album features their trademark tight harmonies and collaborations with special guest artists Charlie Daniels, The Oak Ridge Boys and YouTube star Taylor Davis.
With vocals that “hit a home run” (Cleveland Plain Dealer) and a blend that is “spot-on perfect” (Star Tribune), the five-man band is comprised of Austin Brown (high tenor), Tim Foust (bass), Rob Lundquist (tenor), Adam Rupp (vocal percussion/beat boxer) and Chris Rupp (baritone).
Since being crowned “The Sing-Off” victors, Home Free has made their mark on the music scene by selling more than 150,000 copies of their first two studio albums and embarking on two major North American tours. In 2014, they dropped their debut album, CRAZY LIFE, hitting #1 on US iTunes Country and #4 overall. Shortly thereafter Home Free released FULL OF CHEER, featuring holiday classics with their unique a cappella adaptations.
“This is a pivotal year for Home Free,” said bass Tim Foust. “We're coming into COUNTRY EVOLUTION fresh on the heels of our Grand Ole Opry debut. We've gotten to collaborate with music icons such as The Oak Ridge Boys and Charlie Daniels. We’re excited to say the least.” The band’s new album includes four original tracks, and seven new renditions of hit songs.
1. Summer In The Country * 2. Good Ole Country Harmony* 3. 9 to 5 4. Elvira (feat. Oak Ridge Boys) 5. Don't It Feel Good* 6. Honey, I’m Good 7. Friends In Low Places 8. Fishin' in the Dark/Down in the Boondocks 9. The Devil Went Down to Georgia (feat. Charlie Daniels & Taylor Davis) 10. House Party 11. California Country*
*original composition
Founded by brothers Chris and Adam Rupp during their college years in the early 2000s, Home Free had been perfecting their live show for years prior to “The Sing-Off", performing together for packed crowds at major fairs, colleges and theatres. It was their experience on the road that carried them to a Sing-Off victory, building their fan base and bringing their home-grown country style into the national spotlight. For the five talented singers based in Minnesota, their win was a satisfying culmination of nearly a decade of hard work and commitment to their vocal craft.
For Home Free, it is important to reach out and interact with their fans through music videos. “It’s the biggest factor in reaching the fans,” said Brown. “It’s such a massive platform to be able to showcase what Home Free is all about.”
Amassing over 40 million views on YouTube, the quintet has built a strong and devoted online audience. So far, they have released 2 new videos of tracks from their upcoming third album - Elvira and Fishin' in the Dark/Down in the Boondocks.
The latter mashup combines Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s classic #1 hit “Fishin’ in the Dark” with platinum-selling country group Little Big Town’s contemporary “Boondocks.” “When we started brainstorming about what songs evoke the spirit we want to convey on our new album, we thought, what are some of country’s biggest hits? Why not ‘Fishin’ In The Dark’ with something more recent? Little Big Town’s ‘Boondocks’! You wouldn’t think the styles would really mesh, but they do,” said the band’s high tenor, Austin Brown. “We messed around with them for a few weeks and they’re great together.”
Home Free have announced their first ever UK dates, as part of the star-studded annual London A Capella Festival at King’s Place, taking place on 30th January, 2016, and plus shows in Birmingham; St. Andrews, Scotland and Dublin.
27th January – Birmingham (Bramall Music Building at University of Birmingham) 28th January - St. Andrews, Scotland (Younger Hall at University of St. Andrews) 29th January – Dublin (Whelan’s) 30th January – London (London A Cappella Festival)
