Alice Howe and Freebo: A Musical Partnership Spanning Generations

For nearly a decade, singer-songwriter Alice Howe and legendary bassist Freebo have been crafting a sound that feels timeless. Blending Howe’s soulful vocals and acoustic guitar with Freebo’s signature fretless bass, the duo effortlessly moves through Americana, folk, blues, and roots music. Their collaboration is a meeting of generations—Howe bringing fresh perspectives and Freebo decades of experience—yet their shared love of authentic, heartfelt music unites them seamlessly.

“We both grew up in different eras, but we gravitate toward the same soulful, timeless music,” Howe said. “It’s blues, folk, Americana—the kind of songs that come from the heart.” Freebo adds with a laugh, “We go back and forth. Sometimes I’m on bass while Alice sings harmonies, sometimes it’s the other way around. We just found a way to make it work naturally.”

Their latest album, Alice Howe & Freebo Live, captures the essence of their partnership. Recorded in one take before a small studio audience with no overdubs, the album reflects their raw, unfiltered approach. Howe recalls the spontaneous nature of the recording session: “A friend invited us to the studio after a gig. We had twenty people in the room, and we just played. What you hear is exactly what we did—no filters, no technical tricks.” Freebo emphasizes the importance of that authenticity: “In a world of auto-tune and digital fixes, this is real music, played from the heart.”

Audiences can experience their dynamic live this Saturday, August 23, at the Cochecton Pump House from 6 to 8 p.m. The performance promises a mix of originals and covers, delivered with the warmth, humor, and storytelling that have become hallmarks of their shows. “We don’t really try to entertain—it just happens,” Howe says. “There’s music, conversation, camaraderie, and hopefully, something people take with them after the night ends.”

For more on their music, visit alicehowe.com and freebomusic.com.