That’s how the Oklahoma-based band rolls, and now the hard-working rockers are coming to Kansas City’s Middle of the Map Fest. Broncho gets a crowd good and excited. While in Austin, fans were pumped and jumping up and down all over the place. The band joined in on the physical fun as well. Their bodies were gyrating so hard and fast, they nearly looked like sizzling pieces of bacon. The music is damn exciting, and so is their live show.
Movie Beginnings
The band started as sort of a happy accident for frontman Ryan Lindsey. The Starlight Mints keyboardist and guitarist was asked to write songs for a movie. The project ended up falling through, but when he showed the songs he had written to bassist Jonathan Ford, the band began to take shape. “He came to me and said ‘Hey, check out these songs, what do you think,'” says Ford. “I said we should start this as a band, then we just went after that. So I guess it’s kind of an odd way for a band to start, that it was never even supposed to be a band, but we really liked the songs, so we decided to make it a band.”
Spreading Their Wings
We can expect that same rowdiness and chaotic spirit from the band when they hit up Middle of the Map Fest. While at the festival, Broncho will be joining the likes of Fucked Up, Fun, and countless local bands. Ford is confident the region will take to them during their first time in Kansas City. “It seems like a really awesome festival, really well put together. We’re definitely looking forward to playing it,” says Ford, who admits there are some bands he’s looking forward to seeing at the show. “I’m really hoping I can catch Mission Of Burma, that’d be awesome.”
Since their album’s release, the band has mainly toured within the Midwest. While we’ve selfishly enjoyed keeping them to ourselves (they came through Lawrence in the Fall), the musicians in the band are now ready to spread their wings. “We kind of stuck within our means, which is touring Oklahoma, Texas, St. Louis, Chicago… three-day runs because it’s easy to book those,” says Ford. “We kind of believe in a progression, working our way towards things, instead of just jumping full force into full-time touring. It just made sense to take our time and move at our own pace.”
That progression includes a lot of shows, and a lot of touring. Somewhere in between all of that, they’ll be working on a new record. Staying this busy is essential for someone like Ford. “It’s just important for me, because I love doing music, and if I don’t’ do it I don’t feel right,” says Ford. “We all have a really good time playing in this band, so it makes us happy. That’s important, to be happy and playing music. It’s definitely not a half-assed thing.”
Watch Broncho give it their all on Saturday, April 7, at Middle of the Map Fest when they play The Union, 421 Westport.