The Kate Brook Romp

Good music comes from the heart and when Christine Malcolm, Fran Forim, Rudy Dauth, Hank Clark and Andy Sutphen get together to play there is a lot of big heartedness. Their band, Kate Brook Romp, named after the otters of Wolcott VT, settles into a Northern Vermont groove that weaves folk-grass with threads of psychedelica and tufts of country and rock.  The friendship between these veteran musicians shines through every note.  Their style is intimate, personal and old school.  Christine writes songs, lead sings and plays some guitar.   Her debut recording- Crickets, Coyotes and the Big Yellow Moon, won the Times Argus 2015 Tammy Award for Best Country Record.  Fran Forim (Beg, Steal or Borrow) is literally rock solid on the upright bass and backing vocals.  What few people know is that she also bakes outstanding sourdough bread.  Rudy Dauth (Chad Hollister Band), another familiar character in the Northern Vermont music scene, brings a lifetime of passion to his guitar work.  The breadth of his musical interests is apparent in the ideas he shares in his leads, which are magically balanced by Hank Clark (Ida Mae Specker Band) on the mandolin.  Hank creates a gypsy, jazzy, jammy bluegrass vibe to texturize the sound and sings a bass harmony that adds on the other end of the sound spectrum.  And last but definitely not least, Andy Sutphen, the band's drummer, lays down rhythm that brings the energy high.  KBR doesn't always play with drums, but when they do, it's the tasteful drumming of Andy, resident backcountry snowboarder/fat biker.   Come join for a listen.  It's like hanging out at your friend's house eating the best homemade pie with your favorite drink at a comfortable place by the fire.  It's always a lot more fun if you are there.