In 2023, You, Me, Everybody feature in Netflix’s ‘Sweet Tooth’, opening Episode 4 and performing their song ‘Stranger’ as the inhabitants of Factory Town celebrate the discovery of the cure for ‘the sick’.
Originally formed by brothers Laurence and Sam Frangos-Rhodes, ‘You, Me, Everybody’ showcases the talents of Kim Bonnington, Nat Torkington and Rob Henderson. Together ‘You, Me, Everybody’ pushes the boundaries of what New Zealand knows of a genre that was formed on tradition and rules to create progressive bluegrass. While upbeat bangers are part of their repertoire, this is no pub band, but rather a collection of the some of the best New Zealand acoustic instrumentalists who are searching for a new, dynamic sound that showcases the best of Americana in Aotearoa.
“Exhibiting more talent and emotional depth than the Instagram-influencing kids with laptops that dominate the charts, Southern Sky is never going to make waves in the mainstream, but in the eyes of closet hipsters, folk enthusiasts, and their hippy-denigrating grandparents, this is a golden release. 5 stars ”
Referred to as New Zealand’s first Bluegrass Supergroup, the excitement around their inception saw them play their first live gig as openers for The Felice Brothers taking part in the Americana fest at Auckland’s Tuning Fork. They recorded their EP a week later and in February 2020, ‘You, Me, Everybody’ released their self-titled debut EP, which reached number 13 in the New Zealand album charts. This debut also saw them named as finalist for the Best NZ Folk Artist, 2021 in the Aotearoa Music Awards. They were chosen as one of four international Bluegrass bands to be featured in the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Leadership Bluegrass forum, showcasing a performance by the band directly after a presentation by Grammy award winning, Sarah Jarosz. Their first full length album, Southern Sky, was released in January 2021, which again debuted in the top 20 of the NZ album charts.
Albi - Abli & The Wolves
“Progressive bluegrass isn’t typically an accessible genre for people unfamiliar to acoustic music but this record is. It’s comfortable, relatable and full of musical charisma. The combination of musicians here headed by the formidable force of Sam and Laurence Frangos-Rhodes is fantastic and fits together beautifully. You, Me, Everybody’s sometimes rollicking album will transport you to New Zealand’s hills through an Americana lens and it’s delightful! Be sure to see them on tour too as their live show stacks up just as well too.”
Think of the experimental instrumentation of The Punch Brothers, the harmonies and lead vocals of Alison Krauss and Union Station, the driving rhythms of The Infamous Stringdusters, and the virtuosity of Tony Rice and Béla Fleck. They have all pushed the boundaries, as You, Me, Everybody are doing, incorporating New Zealand’s rolling hills and vast, colourful skies into the Americana landscape.