Freight is a 5 piece, original Alt Country / Rural Rock / Roots band based out of Ithaca, NY.  The band is comprised of veteran musicians who individually have shared stages with the likes of John Prine, The Mavericks, Leon Russell, James McMurtry and many other roots music heavyweights. Founded by midwest transplant JP Payton in early 2020, Freight has risen to the fore of the region's growing Americana landscape. Drawing comparisons to the art rock of Wilco, the psychedelia of The Grateful Dead and the songcraft of Jason Isbell, Freight is both traditionally familiar and sonically adventurous. Freight's debut album, Hard Worker, released in October 2022 on Switchyard Records, has been met with critical acclaim. Their sophmore release Old Bones is garnering rave reviews

“Old Bones seamlessly and flawlessly blends stirring old-school songcraft with strikingly stylish production. Earthy and ethereal, raw-boned and rich, immersive and impeccably crafted, this 10-song set comfortably inhabits the sweet spot between country, folk, roots-rock and Cosmic American Music.”  -Tinnitist

 “In the Cosmic American tradition of looking beyond the grave and past the atmosphere, FREIGHT have mastered an art form of transcendental country.”  - Americana UK

"This is a recording of skilled musicians and friends enjoying what they do. In so many ways it is like a debut album, but by grown-ups, and it sounds like they had such fun bringing it to life together." - Americana UK

"The debut album, Hard Worker, sometimes reminds us of the long-awaited Jason Molina's way of making songs. Although with a greater optimism in the lyrics, Payton's voice is close to the emotional tone of the late singer." - Dirty Rock Magazine

"Hard Worker's 10 songs traverse a wide musical terrain, blending country, funk, rock and psychedelic influences with traces of Wilco, The Grateful Dead, John Prine, Dave Alvin and other roots-music staples - all woven together to a blue collar backdrop for Payton's warm baritone vocals and deeply personal lyrics." - Jim Catalano WXXI

Payton’s plaintively poetic and confessional songwriting belies a nuanced and empathetic understanding of the human condition. Drummer and Knoxville native Bowman Townsend (Black Lillies) has toured nationally showcasing his pocket centric groove, and veteran bassist Mike Brando (Janet Batch) rounds out the rhythm section with a commanding sense of tone earned from decades of professional gigging. Oklahoma native Steve Streetman, brings a decidedly red dirt feel to the slide guitar, and Peter Glanville, is renowned as one of the most in demand melodic guitar players in upstate New York. All told, Freight's groove is seasoned, road-tested, and danceable fun.   Recent highlights include several successful regional tours thru the midwest and Northeast with appearances at main stage Ithaca Fest, Fall Down Fest, City Winery Pittsburgh and the famed Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia.