When Kansas City band The Freedom Affair remarks on their chaotically good beginnings, they look back fondly on the eagerness they shared from the start.
“I feel like our first album was like being teenagers in the garage,” says singer Seyko Groves. “It was raw. We were excited. We all brought all kinds of ideas from all different directions.”
While the band’s zeal hasn’t wavered seven years later, they have evolved since their debut album, Freedom Is Love.
Now, The Freedom Affair’s self-titled sophomore album is set to release May 9, marking a new chapter stylistically. What began as a buttoned-up soul revival group—similar to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings—has morphed into a style that feels more authentic to the members: a bluesy Memphis sound.
The stars of the woman-fronted band are singers Groves, Paula Saunders and Shon Ruffin—or as they like to call themselves, the “freedom threedom.” The dynamic nine-piece ensemble has headlined local festivals, toured the South and Midwest and gained national attention. “Give A Little Love,” a single from their first album, was featured in Peacock’s Bel-Air.
Their latest album marks a couple big changes for the band. Bassist Chris Hazelton switched to playing a screaming, funky Hammond B-3 organ, and guitarist Branden Moser moved over to bass. A longtime labor of love, The Freedom Affair was recorded in November 2023 at Memphis’ Royal Studios—the same historic space where legends Al Green and Ann Peebles recorded numerous hits.
“We reevaluated who we are and what we are,” says drummer Dave Brick.
Released in February, the first single off the album, “Get My Share,” features Saunders, Groves and Ruffin singing in unison for the majority of the track. In many of the other tracks, the trio harmonizes masterfully, with each vocalist adding their distinct flare and alternating between lead vocals and backgrounds.
The band members come from a variety of musical upbringings, and it’s this diversity that gives them their signature sound.
“We have jazzers, rockers and people with a gospel background, but we come together harmoniously,” Brick says. “We all deeply love being a part of this band.”
On May 2, one week ahead of The Freedom Affair’s official launch, the bluesy band will celebrate the new addition to their discography with an album release party at the Madrid Theatre. The evening will feature opening performances by Katy Guillen and the Drive and Julia Haile for a woman-led showcase of roots music.
Above all, their devoted following is one of their favorite parts of making music.
“Our audience is like our hidden member of the band,” Saunders says. “We have people that come to every show and sing along to all the songs. It’s so cool to think that these are the people that were here when we first came out, and they’re still rockin’ with us.”
