Description:

Jet-fueled by powerhouse front woman Alysia Kraft, The Patti Fiasco rides the edge of emotional extreme, delivering a brash yet fiercely soulful brand of rock and roll with a heavy dose of rockabilly, blues, and ballad. At times raw and volatile, and at others, sweet and lilting, the band fuses a hard-rock swagger with the two-step of its Wyoming roots. It’s the attitude of Joan Jett with a Steve Earle twang, the soul and slide of Bonnie Raitt, Black-Keys-style dirty blues-rock, and the lyric edginess of Shovels and Rope.
Kraft’s unrelenting energy, inspired songwriting, and vocals “as pure and clean as they are powerful” (Westword) earned her FoCoMA’s 2013 Best Front Person award. The dobro, handmade and electrified—literally—by band member and 2007 RockyGrass dobro competition winner Ansel Foxley, builds the band’s signature blend of rock, country, and Americana. Lead guitarist Dee Tyler’s riffs range from gritty and driving to pensive and melodic, and his backing vocals add warmth to Kraft’s pointed lyrics. On bass, Niles Mischke anchors the sound with solid, feel-good grooves, delivering an irresistible dance-floor appeal. Formidable drummer/percussionist Peter Knudson’s smart yet gut-driven rhythms drive the group with a primal energy tempered by subtle sophistication.
Conceived at a Wyoming open mic in 2008, The Patti Fiasco quickly earned wide critical acclaim, a devout fan base spanning the West and Midwest, and radio play across the nation. The band has shared the stage with renowned acts Big Head Todd and the Monsters, The Black Lillies, Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, Justin Townes Earle, Great American Taxi, Cracker, Greensky Bluegrass, The Futurebirds, Born in the Flood, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, and Grammy-nominated Cajun band Feufollet.
Their 2013 release, “Small Town Lights,” has garnered multiple accolades, including Wyoming Public Radio's Best Regional Album award, FoCoMA’s Best Album award, and high positioning on the Colorado charts. It finished in the top 10 most-played Colorado records of 2013. The single of the same name received national radio play and was featured in the film “Whensday.” “Nobody’s Girl,” from the band’s self-titled 2011 debut, was that year’s top-spun single in Colorado.
The Patti Fiasco has participated in a variety of renowned showcases, including Lafayette Louisiana Downtown Alive and two appearances at SXSW, where they were backed by Colorado music powerhouse SpokesBUZZ. The WYOmericana Caravan tour, which the New York Times covered in a full-page spread, featured The Patti Fiasco in 19 shows across five states and the band was recently pegged by Paste Magazine as a "Band to Listen to Now." -Johannah Racz