By John Ostapowicz / The Jambar
Portland, Oregon-based band Fruition is fresh off three shows in Kent, Columbus and Pittsburgh, to promote its new studio album, “How To Make Mistakes,” released Aug. 23.
With over 100,000 monthly streams on Spotify, Fruition mixes hints of rock, soul and folk into the Americana genre with the combination of acoustic elements and vocal harmonies.
The quintet is made up of three primary singer-songwriters — Jay Cobb Anderson, Mimi Naja and Kellen Asebroek. Drummer Tyler Thompson and bassist Jeff Leonard make up the band’s consistent rhythm section during larger shows and recording sessions.
After three consecutive studio albums, the band went on a hiatus because of COVID-19. In 2022, Fruition released a live rendition of its songs followed by the band’s seventh studio album.
In regards to the pandemic, Thompson said he’s seen a drop in attendance at shows for a number of reasons.
“It’s been pretty rough though, ever since COVID the music industry is not what it was. People are not going out to shows as often and most people nowadays are saving up for those big concerts with three to five major artists on them,” Thompson said.
What started as a trio of singer-songwriters in 2008, evolved into a full-fledged band.
In late 2010, Thompson joined the band and said the early stages of touring were always an interesting sight with constant travel, large instruments and a portable drum kit.
“We would always cause a scene everywhere we went. Even if we were grabbing a cup of coffee before we hit the streets, people were like, ‘What are you guys doing?’” Thompson said.
Thompson said his approach to drumming changed as he had to switch from a full-size drum kit to the basic fundamentals.
“I really stripped it down into early years. I just had a kick drum, snare drum and maybe a cymbal. I was really minimal and even strapped a tambourine to my foot,” Thompson said.
In 2012, Fruition released its debut album titled, “It Won’t Be Long.” After its release, the band began touring and opening for acts such as Greensky Bluegrass and Leftover Salmon.
Thompson said the band is thankful for the opportunities it has received for over 15 years and the bands that have helped Fruition along the way.
“It’s funny how we got picked up by some of those bands that took us pretty far. As we played in that scene where there’s that kind of jam and jamgrass, we’ve always found ourselves always being the departure band,” Thompson said. “It’s been an interesting ride as we get older realizing ‘Maybe we’re not quiet in the scene where our music belongs in.’”
In total, Fruition has amassed over 20 million collective streams. The band’s track “Mountain Annie” is its No. 1 streamed song with over 12.8 million listens.
Before the presidential election, Fruition released “Whole World of Trouble,” which Thompson said is the band’s political-statement song.
“It’s our political song that is against everything so to speak,” Thompson said. “Just claiming we could do better as a world.”
Although no official release date has been confirmed, Fruition is working on another album, which is expected to drop in late 2025.
The band’s music is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music.
