Biography

Like some great pirate radio station in the sky, Radio Free Earth ignores boundaries to play the good stuff “they don’t want you to hear” – familiar songs you’ve never heard before and songs you’ll remember you’d forgotten. The band dubs its style Crossover Music because it’s paradoxically acoustic and electric, rootsy and innovative, funny and serious, and political and spiritual.

"Blues, country, rock'n'roll, folk -- those are just names," says Josh Wachtel. "We do all of 'em and more. We might play a reggae song from Nigeria, or even Nashville, or throw a little Tuvan throat singing into a doo wop number. What matters to us is the song, not the style. We do unknown songs by great people and great songs by people you never heard of. And if we can't find a song we need, we'll write it."

Wachtel founded RFE in 1998 with his song scout and songwriting partner, science fiction writer Alexei Panshin. Radio Free Earth has since played in New York City, San Diego, Ottawa and the birthplace of Dracula in Romania, and produced five CDs on the Handknit Records label.

Presently the core band includes Wachtel on guitars and vocals and Rob Sunderland on bass, mandolin and vocals. RFE can perform as an acoustic duo or up to a six-piece electric band with a song for every occasion – concerts, festivals, dances, parties, weddings, children’s shows, senior centers and more. Please inquire!

Contact Josh Wachtel: josh@radiofreeearth.com or 413-634-5005