Inspired by folk, rock, country, and bluegrass, London-based quartet Mumford & Sons features singer/guitarist/drummer Marcus Mumford, vocalist and banjo/dobro player Winston Marshall, vocalist/keyboardist Ben Lovett and vocalist/bassist Ted Dwane. The foursome started playing together in 2007; though they were playing with other bands at the time, they bonded over their shared love of rootsy music. Mumford & Sons quickly became a part of London's underground folk scene, which included acts like Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale. By late autumn 2007, the band was writing songs and playing shows frequently, leading to a gig at 2008's Glastonbury Festival. That June, their self-titled debut EP arrived, followed by the Love Your Ground EP that December. In in May 2009, The Cave and the Open Sea EP was released; meanwhile, Mumford & Sons signed to Island Records and worked with producer Markus Drays (the Arcade Fire, Maccabees) on their first full-length.

They’ve been a band less than a year, have played less than a dozen shows, and only just released their debut EP, but Family of the Year are stirring up quite a buzz. Channeling Fleetwood Mac’s musical stylings with a hint of late-era Beatles, Family of the Year braid stellar male/female vocals, catchy melodies and personal folk tales to create some of the happiest and saddest music you’ve ever heard.

Singers Joe Keefe and Vanessa Long harmonize their way into your hearts in the Beach Boys-esque ballad, “Summer Girl,” while “Stupidland” and “Let’s Go Down” are up-beat folk tunes guaranteed to make you shake your stuff. The chemistry between the two is undeniable in “When We Were Little” as seamless male/female vocals are bounced between the two. The heartfelt story telling in “No Good at Nothing” excels lyrically, but the band also touches on more important subjects, like your favorite pair of blown-out blue jeans in “Intervention Song.” FOTY’s cover of Buddy Holly’s “Everyday” is featured in the theatrical trailer for Rachel Getting Married, and they have recently taken their own magical approach to James Taylor’s “Shower the People.”

Family of the Year self-released their debut EP Where’s the Sun on their label Washashore Records on September 22, 2009. The EP showcases a variety of FOTY music, and will include "Let's Go Down," "Castoff," "Summer Girl," "What a Surprise," and "Psych or Like Scope." Cover art will be created by Vanessa's mom Carol, who teaches art at a local school. Where’s the Sun is available for digital download for an optional donation, and contributions will go directly toward the release of FOTY’s first full-length in November. In October, FOTY will headline the Whitesmith CMJ Showcase at the Living Room in NYC. The band plans to utilize creative, personal marketing techniques to help fund their trip. Well, that and selling Seb’s car.