The Apache Relay Headlining Hamptons Concert Series

Nashville-based indie pop band, The Apache Relay, are kicking off the month of May by headlining Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center’s WEHM Concert Series on Saturday, May 2nd at 8 p.m.

Chances are you’ve heard their hit “Katie Queen of Tennessee” on the radio, or maybe you’ve already seen them perform at a major music festival, because they’ve played at most of them since their debut in 2009. Consisting of Michael Ford, Jr (singer/guitarist), Mike Harris (guitar), Brett Moore (mandolin, organ), Steve Smith (drums), Kellen Wenrich (fiddle) and Ben Ford (bass and vocals), the band has even opened for their friends, the Grammy award-winning Mumford & Sons.

The Apache Relay’s “Katie Queen of Tennessee” has been described as exuding an old-school, Righteous Brothers-like aesthetic. “The tune opens with an ascending violin that echoes classic Gamble and Huff productions before folding out into a classic Spector-ish wall of sound,” Rolling Stone noted about the song, which they believe broke the band out of the “folk rock” genre that’s typically been associated with The Apache Relay.

Their latest self-titled album was released on Wednesday, April 22nd. “The Apache Relay” was inspired by Shelby Lynne and Richard Swift.

If you think The Apache Relay sounds familiar, but just can’t seem to place it, the name came from a 90s cult classic. “[The name] Apache Relay actually came from this movie called ‘Heavyweights’ [1995], which was Ben Stiller’s breakout role,” frontman Michael Ford, Jr. told Fuse. “We were six or seven when it came out. It’s about a fat camp called Camp Hope, and they have this huge race at the end with these jerk-campers to see who is actually better. It was called ‘the Apache Relay.’ That’s the inspiration. It was a joke at first but then it was like, ‘Actually, it’s a cool name for the band.'”

Tickets to The Apache Relay are $30.

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is located at 76 Main Street in Westhampton Beach. For more information, call 631-288-1500 or visit www.whbpac.org.