Kindred Valley

Biography

Kindred Valley is an indie folk band that originated in Huntington, West Virginia, when three Marshall University students—Blake Lacy, Noah Freeman, and Brett McCoy—met in 2020 and began writing and recording music together. Initially performing under the name Back Row Baptists, the trio released early singles including "Half My Heart," "Georgia," and "1921" before taking a hiatus. The band's creative trajectory shifted significantly in 2021 when Lacy connected with Jadon Hayes, a skilled instrumentalist and music producer, along with Hayes' wife Rachael Hayes and musician Kaden Salmons. This expanded lineup brought fresh creative energy and a refined sound, prompting the band to rebrand as Kindred Valley and collaborate on new material including the popular single "Whistle," which Lacy and Salmons co-wrote during their first meeting.

After nearly two years of intensive creative work, Kindred Valley released their self-titled debut album on December 30, 2022, marking a significant milestone in their artistic development. The album featured remastered versions of their early singles alongside new tracks reflecting their deep Appalachian roots. Following the album's release, the band embarked on an extensive touring schedule across the Eastern United States and Midwest, which inspired their subsequent EP "What Was Left." The band's music is categorized as folk rock and indie folk, with critics likening their sound to a folksier version of Fleetwood Mac, largely due to the diverse musical talents within the group and the distinctive harmonies and vocals of Rachael Hayes. By 2024, Kindred Valley had experienced explosive growth in popularity, performing at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions and continuing to write and tour into 2025.

Fun Facts

• The band's original name, Back Row Baptists, was used during their early years as a trio before they rebranded to Kindred Valley following the addition of three new members in 2021.
• Blake Lacy and Kaden Salmons wrote an early version of the band's popular single 'Whistle' during their very first sit-down meeting in 2021.
• The band survived membership changes during their touring phase, with one member deciding that life on the road was not sustainable for them, yet the group continued to grow in popularity.
• Kindred Valley's music is rooted in Appalachian traditions and storytelling, with their debut album featuring remastered versions of early singles alongside new tracks that reflect their regional heritage.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jadon Hayes - Music producer and instrumentalist who significantly shaped the band's sound and creative direction after joining in 2021 (Self-titled debut album (2022), EP 'What Was Left') [2021-present]

Key Collaborators

• Blake Lacy - Co-founder, primary songwriter, and vocalist (All band releases including self-titled album and 'What Was Left' EP) [2020-present]
• Noah Freeman - Co-founder, songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist (All band releases including self-titled album and 'What Was Left' EP) [2020-present]
• Brett McCoy - Co-founder and band member (Early singles and self-titled album) [2020-present]
• Rachael Hayes - Songwriter, vocalist, and sole female member whose harmonies and lead vocals are central to the band's distinctive sound (Self-titled album (2022), EP 'What Was Left') [2021-present]
• Kaden Salmons - Musician and co-writer of the popular single 'Whistle' with Blake Lacy (Self-titled album and subsequent releases) [2021-present]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz