Julia Massey & The Five Finger Discount have done something that most bands cannot claim in one year: created a fan base that digs their unexpected fusion of genres and a fresh, undeniably catchy record to take home.

The Seattle-based foursome comes together with backgrounds in classical, jazz, rock, and folk, allowing their music to exist outside of a category.
Co-produced in Chicago with Jordan Kenning, Massey's recent EP release "OUT" features hints of bluegrass, folk-rock, with classic pop sensibilities. Her move to Seattle the following year offered a chance to develop a new sound with new musicians.

The band shares a compulsion for experimentation. Drawing on influences from The Shins, The Beatles, Dylan, Bach, Spearhead, and Joni Mitchell, the group members write their own parts on top of Massey's transcendental lyrics and heartfelt progressions.

What makes the experience of listening to a Five Finger Discount set special for their fans, whether it's at a coffee shop or the Showbox theater, is how easy it is to become part of the practically woven soundwaves that feel like a shared blanket to the soul. "Our fans feel like family," according to Wuerzner, "because there's so much love in the room".

The upcoming release of their first record "I'm Not Hollow" comes with it songs inspired by the shared events of the members this year. From an accidental housefire started by Massey to the life of Emily Dickinson, "I'm Not Hollow" encompasses the feelings that sink in after a loss.

With studio engineer Thomas Surprenant, the band recorded all 11 tracks in Wuerzner's home. Surprenant's love for The Pixies, Neutral Milk Hotel, and the Flaming Lips informed the mix's supernatural qualities.

What is perhaps most wonderful about a Julia Massey & The Five Finger Discount performance is that they can share the bill with anyone. With friends who perform hip-hop, bluegrass, and metal, fans of their fellow performers always enjoy the show when they stick around.

Which "is what it's really about" says Massey, "sharing the love."

-- From juliamasseymusic.com Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.