Local self-proclaimed “dad-rock” band “Backyard Fever” is somewhat of an anomaly. Despite their recent genesis, they have entered the music scene fully formed, suspiciously dialed-in and impressively self-confident. What began only six months ago as a first jam in someone’s living room has already mutated into consistent backyard shows and a tight core of regulars — it’s like they were able to skip the awkward garage phase and materialized fully formed. Just like a missing puzzle piece, they seem to be filling a gap in the demand for local music. With a reciprocity that parallels the tight-knit community of the greater Salt Lake City area, Backyard Fever’s fan base has been met at its synthesis with nothing but support.
Band or Family?
One of the first things that someone notices when seeing Backyard Fever live is the number of musicians in the lineup. Or, it’s the fact that on some of their songs, they have three guitars driving the melody and rhythm. Either way, when you see seven people on stage with tangible chemistry, it’s hard not to wonder how they met each other.
For starters, three of the band members hail from Portland, Oregon. Maia Schabel (violin, bass), Neil Cameron (drums), and Jonas Brodsky (keys) were all acquainted with each other from their shared hometown, but it wasn’t until their chance meeting through roommates at the dorms of the University of Utah that things started to click. That’s when Gray Levasseur (guitar) came into the picture, and eventually Cameron, Brodsky, and Levasseur would end up moving in together. With the four of them, it would seem like the band’s origin story would be complete, and maybe that’s what they thought as well. But every band needs a second guitarist, right?
“I bought an acoustic guitar from Gray,” Kane Nissen (guitar) said. “I needed a new one, and then I was like, ‘Can I test it out?’ So then we just started jamming a little bit.” Surely, with two guitarists, Backyard Fever could start hitting the studio, but something was still missing. Jimbo Kust (vocals, guitar) met the rest of the crew through mutual friends, and through typical Backyard Fever fashion, was welcomed with open arms. Last but certainly not least, Maya Parsons (vocals) came in to meet Kust at the front of the stage with lead vocals.
United Through Music
One common thread that runs through the band is that everyone grew up with a family that instilled in them a love for music. Part of the band’s conception is to pass along the stories and memories intertwined with the music that their parents gave to them. “I have three older brothers,” Kust said. “Since I was a little kid, we would sing with my dad, and he kind of taught all of us how to play guitar and harmonize.”
The narrative of Backyard Fever’s meeting highlights what makes the band special. Seeing them play live is like being back at your family’s house, where everyone is welcome to stay as long as they like, as long as they enjoy good music and cheap fun. It’s this experience that they provide that has enabled them to permeate the music scene in Utah.
The Stage Plot
Towards the back of the stage, you’ll notice Schabel, Cameron and Brodsky holding down the rhythm section. Through subtle glances and movement, they serve as the band’s navigational system, while also keeping the band on tempo and in the pocket. However, it’s not Cameron or Brodsky’s first rodeo; both of them grew up educated in their respective instruments. Cameron’s chops — established by his impressive drum solo at their last show — originated from his experience playing jazz throughout high school. Brodsky’s expertise came from learning classical piano growing up, but the drive just wasn’t there. He credits Backyard Fever for encouraging him to dust off his keyboard. “In the past year, I’ve really gotten back into and kind of gone more into the improv, jam band kind of style, playing with everyone here,” Brodsky said.
However, Backyard Fever ran into a small issue when it came to who would be playing bass for the band. “We were in dire need of a bassist,” Levasseur said. “And Maia had expressed interest in playing with us before. Our idea was, she’s a really good musician, and she plays instruments, she knows music theory, we were like, ‘I’m sure she could pick up the bass really quick.’” You wouldn’t know that Schabel had only just started learning bass from watching her live. She appears calm and collected as her fingers move deftly across the neck of her instrument, experiencing the music in the moment, not as a spectator of her own skill.
Left, right and center, the three guitarists of the band efficiently interweave with one another, trading between lead, rhythm and solos. They also act as the hype men of the band, finding themselves in conversation with the audience during songs and ensuring the crowd feels as good listening to the music as Backyard Fever feels playing it. Finally, Kust and Parsons are hitting harmonies and vocal runs in unison without having to disconnect from the audience, a skill that usually takes years to master.
First Takes and the Future
What started as friends just playing music together for the sheer enjoyment of it eventually turned into the opportunity to play a small show in their friends’ yard — at least, what they thought was going to be a small show. “We knew it was going to be big, but we didn’t expect it to be that big,” Nissen said. At their first show, there were nearly 200 people in attendance. When asked if that experience was nerve-wracking, the band reported that they rehearse like a serious act, but they claim performing is less stressful than joyful. “It’s been a vision,” Cameron said. “But I don’t think we ever thought it was gonna be this serious already.”
Although Backyard Fever has mostly played covers for their shows, they have recently tested the waters of writing original music. “Hey Sally,” penned by Levasseur, made its debut at Backyard Fever’s last show. The song stays in the genre that the band has found comfort in, but with a few contemporary twists that allow the song recognition from the new generation. However, the band’s not necessarily wanting to stray away from covers just yet. “We’re kind of like, in a phase where we’re playing small shows with a bunch of friends and college students,” Levasseur said. “So covers land really well.”
On the horizon, the band has plans to keep writing original music and eventually record some of them, but they never want to stop playing the type of shows that allowed them to find their identity as a band. “I feel like the first show is already like a dream in a way,” Cameron said. As far as the future goes, the band is excited to hit certain milestones like playing at a real venue for the first time or selling out their first ticketed event. But for right now, Backyard Fever is a passion project for the band, since any of the money that they do earn from their shows goes right back into buying new equipment and saving for any future recording expenses.
So, Why this Band? Why Now?
Backyard Fever is not a brand — they are a hub. They credit the amazing community that they have found in Salt Lake City and at the University of Utah. “We’ve got a great support system,” Kust said. Going to the U of U has allowed Backyard Fever to not only meet each other, but also the people who actually make playing music worth it. “I feel like I’ve met so many cool people in so many different areas,” said Schabel. “I feel like we have this greater friend group,” Nissen said. “There’s this like, group of people, 200 people maybe, and everyone just knows each other.”
You can find more about Backyard Fever’s shows and other information on their Instagram, @backyardfever.