Press Kit – The Fool Hardies

PRESS

“The Fool Hardies have hit the high mark… bringing a vintage sound to the new generation.”

– Evangeline West, Freelance Music Reviewer

“…few bands manage to carve out a sound that feels both refreshingly innovative and timelessly classic. The Fool Hardies, effortlessly marries the heart-wrenching soul of R&B with the raw, unfiltered edge of blues rock.”

– College Radio Charts

“…a sound you’ll want more of.”

– Coyote Music

• Finalist – World Songwriting Awards 2024

• Nominee EMA 2024

CONTACT

BIO – LONG

The Fool Hardies is a powerhouse ensemble that blends the soul-stirring elements of R&B with the gritty edge of blues rock, performing original music that captivates audiences. Led by songwriter/guitarist Sam Kaufmann, the band crafts a sound that is both timeless and refreshingly innovative.

Sam Kaufmann is an award-winning, innovative rock/jazz guitarist and songwriter from Los Angeles. Raised in a musically rich environment influenced by everything from post-war era Big Band to the pioneering sounds of Walter/Wendy Carlos and the artistry of Kate Bush. From an early age, Sam began to forge a distinctive sound, taking jazz and classical music and infusing those styles with a rock edge and elements of Americana and Motown.

As a guitarist, Sam has brought rock to a new level of sophistication and sonic power – combining technical precision with melodic sensitivity. As a composer/songwriter with a catalog of hundreds of original compositions, Sam integrates honest emotion and a charming edge to create music filled with energy, expression and mojo. He has earned Emmy nominations and won several other prestigious awards. He has appeared on countless film and television scores, many of which he produced, and has written songs that have been recorded and performed by distinguished artists in film and television.

He has performed at venues across the country and the globe. He has worked with some of the greatest artists in music such as Michael Jackson, Pat Metheny, Paul Gilbert, Rick Nielsen, Peter Buck, Mike Keneally, and John 5, to name a few. Sam is revered by artists and critics alike such as Jane Weidlin, Debbie Burke, Theocide, Coyote Music and Evangeline West, who hailed The Fool Hardies as “hitting the high mark” and describe the live performance as “non-stop entertainment, leaving the audience clamoring for more”. College Radio Charts describes the sound as “refreshingly innovative and timelessly classic.”

The all-star lineup features a rich tapestry of talent. Instrumentation includes the full and rich Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes, a killer horn section, in-the-pocket bass and drums, stunning lead vocals, blazing guitars, plus live background singers – all contributing to the band’s signature style. Drawing inspiration from musical legends like Amy Winehouse, Steve Winwood, and Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Fool Hardies deliver irresistibly energetic performances with showmanship and proficiency that will move your feet and soul.

Currently, Sam and his band, The Fool Hardies, are enjoying the success of their latest single “Lost Groove,” while preparing for their sophomore release in 2025.

BIO – SHORT

The Fool Hardies are an award-winning American roots rock band driven by a passion for crafting music that is both timeless and innovative. Rooted in the rich traditions of blues, soul, and rock, the band channels the raw emotion of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the vintage soul of Amy Winehouse, and the bold, horn-driven sound of Chicago into something distinctly their own. Get ready for blazing guitars, a locked-down rhythm section, ripping horns, and vocals that drip with soul.