The Felice Brothers

The Felice Brothers

The Felice Brothers are a folk rock and country rock band from upstate New York. They form in 2006 and come from the Catskill Mountains, with roots in Palenville, New York, near Woodstock.

Line-up and early formation

The group centres on Ian Felice, who plays lead vocals, guitar and piano, and James Felice, who plays accordion, piano and organ. Other main members include David Turbeville on drums and vocals, and Christmas on bass, who is described as a former travelling dice player. The band is also joined at times by Farley, who plays washboard and fiddle, and by other musicians, including periods with a horn section. The brothers begin playing together at their father’s barbecues on Sunday afternoons before the band takes shape after they move to a small apartment in Brooklyn and play in subway stations near 42nd Street and Union Square in Greenwich Village.

Recordings and releases

The Felice Brothers release their debut album, Through These Reins and Gone, in 2006. The album reaches Radio Woodstock WDST’s top 25 albums of 2006. In 2007, the band signs with Loose Music in Europe.

Performances and touring

The band appears at Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble in Woodstock, tours with Bright Eyes, and performs at the Clearwater Festival in 2008 and at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee.