Kopecky

Formed in 2007 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, the ensemble that would later shorten its name to Kopecky began when keyboardist, bassist, and vocalist Kelsey Kopecky joined forces with guitarist, horn player, and vocalist Gabe Simon. Both students at the time, they bonded over shared musical preferences and started informal sessions that soon drew in several other local players: Steven Holmes on guitar and lap steel, Markus Midkiff handling cello, guitar, and keys, Corey Oxendine covering bass, guitar, and horns, and David Krohn on drums. Though the musicians were simply friends rather than relatives, their exact yet cozy vocal blends and relaxed yet disciplined playing created an energetic, approachable sound rooted in clever, melodic indie pop with folk leanings. Performing initially as the Kopecky Family Band, they played area shows and issued the EP Embraces in November 2008, followed by The Disaster in August 2010 and Of Epic Proportions three months after that. Steady local exposure on the Nashville indie circuit led to wider touring, which in turn attracted the attention of ATO Records—the artist-oriented independent imprint established by Dave Matthews. The label released the group’s first full-length effort, Kids Raising Kids, in April 2013; the record earned strong critical notices, and the track “Heartbeat” gained significant radio airplay. In late 2014 the band announced it was dropping “Family Band” from its name to become simply Kopecky, and the following June it delivered the second album, Drug for the Modern Age.