The Apache Relay

The Apache Relay are an indie folk band from Nashville with a pastoral, roots-pop sound. The band formed in 2008 while attending Nashville's Belmont University, with singer/guitarist Michael Ford, Jr. eventually joining the existing core group of Mike Harris (guitar), Brett Moore (mandolin, organ), and Kellen Wenrich (fiddle). Working with Avett Brothers producer Doug Williams, the quartet released their debut in 2009, a concept album called 1988 under the name Michael Ford, Jr. & the Apache Relay. For their follow-up, 2011's American Nomad, Ford's name was dropped from the moniker and they simply became the Apache Relay. Building on the attention they'd gotten from 1988, American Nomad raised their profile even more, garnering praise from Paste Magazine and eventually landing the group several prime opening slots for nu-folk stars Mumford & Sons and gigs at popular festivals like Bonnaroo in 2012. Around this time, frontman Michael Ford's younger brother Ben Ford joined the group, rounding out the lineup. For their third album, the group traveled to L.A. to record with respected producer Kevin Augunas (the Lumineers, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros) at his Fairfax Studio. The resulting self-titled album was released in April 2014.