French Cassettes: From Sneaking Into Festivals to Owning the Stage at Outside Lands
San Francisco’s very own French Cassettes have come a long way from hopping fences to sneak into Outside Lands, to gracing the festival’s Panhandle Stage on Day 2 this year. The band—made up of Scott Huerta (vocals, guitar), Andrew St. James (bass, vocals), Rob Mills (drums, vocals), and Mackenzie Bunch (guitar)—is a hilarious, down-to-earth quartet that mixes serious musical chops with witty banter that makes their sets and interviews equally unforgettable.
I caught up with the band just after their performance at San Francisco’s iconic Outside Lands Music Festival, which has grown into one of the biggest festivals in the country since its inception in 2008. Hosting a mix of major headliners like Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, and ODESZA alongside emerging talents like French Cassettes, the festival brings together music lovers in the atmospheric heart of Golden Gate Park. For French Cassettes, playing at this massive event was both a full-circle moment and an epic new chapter in their career.
A Dream Fulfilled
As the band settled in to chat after their early afternoon set, they were all smiles—though some of them were running on less coffee than usual (I’m looking at you, Rob). “It was great being able to watch the festival turn on, and then we get to turn up,” Scott laughs, reminiscing about their early start to the day. Despite the ungodly 8 a.m. wake-up call, the band was energized, fueled by the excitement of playing on a local stage in front of familiar faces and longtime fans.
“We made our friends and family come, of course,” Andrew shared, “because they were just excited for us. But it was also amazing to see hardcore fans who’ve been with us for years still showing up at the festival.” That blend of new festival-goers and loyal locals made the performance all the sweeter. For a band that’s been navigating the San Francisco underground music scene for over a decade, the Outside Lands appearance felt like a well-earned badge of honor.
“It was pretty incredible,” says Scott. “We’ve always wanted to play here ever since the festival started. It’s surreal to finally be on the inside.”
That’s a pretty big upgrade from sneaking in. Yes, you read that right—Back in the day, French Cassettes used to pull the classic festival sneak-in move. “I remember being, like, 16 and just running past the horse cops to get in,” Andrew recalled with a mischievous grin. “No ticket, just bolted into the crowd and had the best day ever.” The rest of the band laughed, adding stories of hopping fences and waiting for other brave souls to make the first move before following suit. “We’re definitely on the other side now,” Rob joked.
From Mission District Bars to Festivals: The Journey
It’s been a wild ride for French Cassettes, who’ve been making music for about 15 years now, starting in the local bar scene—think venues like Popscene and The Knockout—and slowly but surely rising to the festival circuit. Their live shows have always been magnetic, with an infectious energy that pulls you in whether you know the lyrics or not. But now, with new music, a growing fanbase, and festival spots like Outside Lands under their belt, they’re positioning themselves for much bigger things.
The band have just wrapped up recording their latest album, which took around three years to produce. And let me tell you, the anticipation is real. They played a few tracks from the new record at Outside Lands, blending those fresh songs with fan favorites. “It’s been pretty much half and half in the set lists,” Scott says, “and people have been really into it. It’s always nerve-wracking to introduce new material, but the reception has been better than we could’ve hoped.”
One of the standout tracks? “Medium Horny,” which Scott and the rest of the guys rave about. “It’s probably one of our favorites to play,” Mackenzie chimes in. “It’s got this cool vibe that just feels good live.” Andrew is more of a deep-cut guy, opting for a track called “Megabus” that they haven’t played live yet but is a personal favorite. Rob, meanwhile, leans into the fresh energy of “Up To You”, another yet-to-be-released gem.
What’s Next? More Shows, More Laughs, and Maybe a 15-Passenger Van
With the new album in the pipeline, French Cassettes aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Their upcoming tour will see them hitting major cities across the country, starting with a special home town-ish gig in Berkeley on September 13 at the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens—a venue that promises an intimate vibe amidst the redwoods.
“We’re really stoked about that one,” Scott says. “It’s a cool spot, kind of a different vibe from the bar shows we’ve played in the past. We’re used to grimy clubs, so this is a nice change of pace.”
From there, they’ll be hitting spots like New York, Chicago, and Nashville. As Andrew put it, “It’s all the places we love, so it should be a great time.” When asked about their touring setup, the band laughed about still keeping things economical, currently renting a 15-passenger van from fellow artist Caroline Rose. “It does the job,” Scott quips, “but we’re hoping to avoid mega-buses.” Hey, maybe next year’s Outside Lands appearance will come with a bump up in transportation.
A Bright Future
Looking back on their journey, it’s clear that French Cassettes have carved out a unique space for themselves. They’re not just another indie band—They’ve got something special. Their sound is catchy without being formulaic, and their personalities are magnetic enough to make even the most jaded festival goer crack a smile. You can sense their excitement for the future and a strong sense that they’ve only just begun to tap into what they’re capable of.
“These guys have always had the chops,” a longtime fan told me after their Outside Lands set, “but now they’ve got the confidence and momentum to take it to the next level.” With a new album, a packed tour schedule, and the kind of camaraderie that only comes from years of grinding it out together, French Cassettes are poised for greatness.
Catch French Cassettes on Tour:
- September 13 – UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, Berkeley, CA
- October 2 – The Basement East, Nashville, TN
- October 5 – Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL
- October 9 – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
- October 13 – Middle East, Boston, MA
- October 20 – Barboza, Seattle, WA
For the full tour schedule, updates, and new music drops, head over to their official website: fullfrenchy.com.
Whether you’re a local fan or just discovering them, make sure to catch these guys while you can—They’ve got the potential to be one of the greats, with a mix of grit, humor, and undeniable talent. Plus, you never know when they might share more stories about sneaking into events!
Featured photo by Chloe Catajan
