FRESCO are a pop-funk band from Manchester born out of a love for funky music. Joe and Sam decided to record a cover together for Youtube after meeting during the admissions process for the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. At the time, they thought the cover sounded great so they decided to recruit some friends when they finally arrived at the RNCM. All members of the band have been gigging since a young age, which was very important for FRESCO as they are so reliant on the ability to perform and improvise. Touring is something that Sam had always wanted to do, so after just three months as a band, they set off on the road. Since then they have been travelling around the country and releasing as much music as they can.
Sam Harding is from a small town in the East Midlands, George is from Dorset, Tom is from Cardiff, Joe is from Wigan and Sam Capper is from just outside of Manchester. Their biggest influence is Vulpeck, a funky band from America who take influences from all sorts of funk and soul music from the last 60 years. They have two main messages that really resonate with them. First, they take a very DIY approach to recording and releasing their music. FRESCO's debut EP and follow up single were recorded in various friends' bedrooms and all the promo material put out was by Sam Harding himself. Sam says: 'in an age of perfectly edited lives on social media, I think people crave content that is authentic and flawed.' A huge part of FRESCO's brand is 'fun' and they are often told that their music has an uplifting effect on people. This is the other thing that they would say come from Vulpeck and bands alike. Their music and attitude is so positive, that the fact that they try to emulate this often makes them outsiders in Manchester. For FRESCO, music is a happy thing and nothing makes them happier than jamming with their best friends! 'Jack Stratton, leader of Vulpeck, is an incredible producer, a social media genius and a hero of mine' (Sam Harding).
As well as funk/soul bands from the past and present, FRESCO are also into really great pop music. Sam says ' "pop" is sometimes seen as a dirty word for musicians but if you look beyond the charts you can find pop music with nuance, skill and groove. Writing a catchy pop song is an art-form and being able to write parts to match and support a great song is equally tough. We look to artists like Ben Rector, The Doobie Brothers and plenty more for the catchy pop magic that we are trying to find.'
FRESCO recently played a headline gig at the Deaf Institute in Manchester (as pictured). For this gig, they decided to realise a dream they've had since day one, so they brought in a 5-piece horn section called the Hardcore Horns. Bringing the horns in made the funk/soul influences in their music come through much more authentically, and made the more energetic moments of the set even more raucous. It was clear from the audience that were singing the words back to the band that they have a loyal following that love what they do and the band are more than capable of getting a crowd hyped.
After the Deaf Institute show, FRESCO decided to hit the studio with the horns and there is an EP on the way in the new year, including a reimagine of a classic FRESCO tune...stay tuned. For now, FRESCO's latest release 'Don't Wait' is available online, alongside all of their previous releases!
FRESCO have some Manchester gigs in the works and some possible dates around the country, but news on those will come in the new year. The best way to keep up to date with FRESCO and everything they are doing is to check out their socials - type @FrescoMusicUK into anything and they're there.
FRESCO's website with links to all socials, Spotify and iTunes