Music

Click here for Pretend Friend's entire discography

Press quote on Real Enough

"Pretend Friend is one of those rare musical entities that seems to arrive fully formed, vision intact. The real joy in following one of those acts—and Pretend Friend is indeed one of them—is witnessing the music continue to evolve, growing richer, more nuanced and taking we listeners to new musical heights. Pretend Friend has achieved this with Real Enough, a collection of songs that bests the outfit’s past output, revealing a wider emotional and musical palette while losing none of the soulful familiarity we expect from those fine and deeply touching songs."

Jedd Beaudoin | Host/Producer of Strange Currency
KMUW (NPR)

Bio

Pretend Friend is a nationally touring progressive bluegrass and folk band based in Wichita, Kansas. Focused on creating original music, Pretend Friend melds captivating lyrics and soulful melodies into timeless songs. The blending of traditional familiarity with improvised jams, driving bluegrass, vocal harmonies, and anthemic choruses only begins to encompass the soundscape created by the genre-bending acoustic group.

 Pretend Friend has opened for acts such as Bela Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, Yonder Mountain String Band, Fruition, and Arkansauce, and their high-energy sets have been sought after by festivals such as Walnut Valley Festival, Blue Ox Music Festival, Hillberry Music Festival, Kaw River Roots Fest, McAwesome Fest, Terp Float Fest, Lake Erie Folk Fest, and more.

Video

Press Quotes

"Pretend Friend respects tradition and its musical heritage while consistently breaking new ground. The combination of expert writing and outstanding musicianship places the band in rarified company—one of those bands that wows fellow musicians with its acumen and leaves everyone tapping their toes and singing along to songs that seem to have always been."

Jedd Beaudoin | Host/Producer of Strange Currency
KMUW (NPR) Wichita, KS

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"Pretend Friend leaves an audience with mouths agape and hungering for more. This comes from Boesen’s unique voice, and the skill of the instrumentalists. While they truly respect traditional bluegrass, they are not shy about pushing the limits with their progressive style and high energy performances."

Pamm Tucker | Bluegrass Today

Promotional Materials

(Click for Google Drive link)

Press Links

• Kindline Magazine: Pretend Friend Brings the Groove with “Dancing Up and Down” (January 29, 2025)

• Strange Currency's (KMUW/NPR) Best Local/Regional Music 2024 - Real Enough ranked #1 EP 

• Jambase: Pretend Friend on Blue Ox Music Festival Lineup (2024)

• Strange Currency's (KMUW/NPR) Best Local/Regional Music 2023 - "Temperance Reel/Kentucky Mandolin" ranked #2 single release

• Strange Currency's (KMUW/NPR) Best Local/Regional Music 2022 - "Bringing in the Georgia Mail" ranked #1 single release

• Bluegrass Today: Barefootn' Bluegrass with Pretend Friend (2022)

• Jambase: Reflections in Question Album Release (2021)

Tour Dates