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Turkuaz Brings Power Funk to Birmingham January 16, 2020 14:18

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Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Photos by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
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Fresh off of a week on Jam Cruise, the nine-piece "power funk army" known as Turkuaz kicked off a three-week tour at Birmingham's Saturn on Wednesday night. While it had been nearly two years since their last appearance, the Birmingham faithful showed up in numbers for an incredibly entertaining night of music. The "new look" Turkuaz may have parted ways with their color coded wardrobe, but the dynamic performance that we've all become accustomed to is stronger than ever. 
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The crowd got a taste of up-and-coming star Neal Francis, whose unique blend of classic rock and roll soul was a huge hit. While I was only able to catch his last few songs, there was a notable buzz surrounding his opening set all day leading up to doors opening. The amount of people who stopped and asked, "Did you catch that opening set?" was very encouraging to see. Francis clearly made his mark on Alabama, and I will certainly be paying closer to attention on he and his band moving forward.
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Turkuaz took the stage in explosive fashion, as expected. "Nightswimming" kicked off the set and gave us the first taste of the band's 2015 release, Digitonium. "Heat Drop" gave us a look into the new EP, Kuadrochrome, which was released in November of 2019. The stroll through Turkuaz history continued with "If I Ever Fall Asleep" and "Gonna Make You Famous," both of which can be found on Life In The City (2018). Bassist Taylor Shell was firing on all cylinders as the band led into "Mister Man," one of five tracks on the 2019 EP Afterlife Vol. 2. While I can't recall exactly which song, saxophonist Greg Sanderson gave us our first dose of the EWI (electronic wind instrument), which is always a super fun touch.
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The set continued with "Got To Get Better" > "The Quesiton" > "Big Business" > "One and Lonely." By this point in the set, the rowdy Birmingham crowd was moving and shaking to every note, soaking up every minute of the dance party at hand. "Coast To Coast" > "Lookin' Tough Feelin' Good" kept the energy at the highest level, before drummer Michaelangelo Carubba led the way for saxophonist Josh Schwartz to light the room on fire with his vocal work on "Babies Making Babies." You would be hard pressed to find any band with the vocal range of Turkuaz. Between Schwartz, frontman Dave Brandwein, and the lovely combo of  Shira Elias and Sammi Garrett, there's just few bands that can even compete. 
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One of the highlights of the set came with "Superstatic," which has got to be one of the best dance tracks of the modern era. I've made a point to keep this one in regular rotation since the release of Life In The City in 2018. Elias took the spotlight for a cover of Donny Hathaway's "Jealous Guy," while an emphatic "Brain Drain" closed down the set. After a brief exit from the stage, we would get one more look at Kuadrochrome with "The Ballad of Castor Troy." 
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While I would have personally loved a second set of Turkuaz, I can't say enough about the 90 minutes of funk-filled jams that ensued. This band continues to climb the ranks of the music world, and every time I see them perform I am reminded why. They're gearing up for a big run of shows with Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew of Talking Heads this summer, which includes a co-headliner at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre with The Motet. It's always a treat having this band in the Southeast, and we should all hope this becomes a regular tradition in the future.
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10 Reasons Not to Miss SweetWater 420 Festival April 18, 2019 01:33

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Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
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Let's be honest. We've reached that point in the week where all we can think about is the music that lies ahead. Over the last three years, SweetWater 420 Festival has become arguably my favorite annual tradition. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that the anticipation is more than a distraction today. Many of you reading this will join me in feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve tonight.
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This festival will once again offer one of the strongest lineups of the year, featuring countless genres from across the musical spectrum. We'll likely witness some special collaborations, such as that blazing "Statesboro Blues" from Tedeschi Trucks Band and Brandon "Taz" Niederauer last year.
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As a method of burning the time and preparing for what's ahead, I put together a list of ten reasons why you just don't want to miss out on this festival. Check out the full rundown below and make sure be smart, stay hydrated, and be kind to those around you this weekend!
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1. Two nights of Widespread Panic. Need we say more?

  • Let's face it. This festival is in the heart of Panic country, and there is not a more prime candidate to close out the festival on Saturday and Sunday night. The band's history in Atlanta is well documented, most recently completing a three-night New Year's run at The Fox Theatre that we're still trying to comprehend. Being back in Georgia always seems to bring out the best in the band, and if anyone understands the level of expectation for these four sets, it's these guys right here.
  • In case you missed it, Panic's last 420 Fest performance fell on Sunday, April 23rd in 2017. The show kicked off in powerful fashion with "Disco" > "Arleen" and made for one of the hottest festival shows in recent years. I think it's safe to assume there will be much more where that came from this weekend.

2. Joe Russo's Almost Dead: There are tribute bands, and then there's JRAD.

  • Prepare to hear the music of the Grateful Dead like you've never heard it before. If you've had a chance to catch this band before, you know to expect the unexpected. These guys use the Dead's catalog as a launching pad into another dimension, and there's no telling where they'll take a jam at any given moment. Friday night will be dominated by the two-and-a-half hour set from Joe Russo's Almost Dead.
  • The all-star cast features Joe Russo (drums/vocals), Marco Benevento (keys/vocals), Tom Hamilton (guitar/vocals), Scott Metzger (guitar/vocals), and Dave Dreiwitz (bass/vocals). 

3. Stay in tune with the jam scene's hottest rising acts.

  • While the lineup is consistently diverse, you can always count on 420 Fest to feature several of the jam scene's hottest rising acts. Take a look at this year's lineup, and you'll see exactly what we mean. 
  • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Billy Strings, Big Something, & Turkuaz  are absolutely "can't miss acts" this year. There is a reason that you continue to see these names rise on festival billings each year. You can also find them packing out venues across the country, while releasing new, original material that we're all singing along with in no time. 
  • Surely you're familiar with the mad scientist known as Keller Williams. Have you heard about Grateful Grass though? This set is appropriately scheduled for 12:00 PM on Easter Sunday. Bring your bible, 'cause Keller's gonna take us all to church.
  • Everyone Orchestra will feature a fully improvised set from members of Umphrey's McGee, Trey Anastasio Band, Jane's Addition, Greensky Bluegrass, and more on Saturday at 2:30 PM. 

4. This lineup offers a beautiful variety that any music fan can enjoy. 

  • It's a challenge to even begin keeping up with the amount of annual music festivals in 2019. While many of the these lineups are designed to cater to a specific fan base, such as jam bands or bluegrass, 420 Fest steps outside the box. While there's plenty of jam over the weekend, major national acts such as The Avett Brothers, Moon Taxi, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Rebelution, and Iration

5. THE BEER: Who could forget about the beer?

  • You'd be hard pressed to find a brewery with tastier options from top to bottom. This brewery's impact on the city of Atlanta, our beloved music scene, and the entire Southeast, really, can't be overstated. 
  • Prepare to see the following SweetWater brews across the festival 420 Pale Ale, IPA, 420 Strain G-13 IPA, 420 Strain Mango Kush Wheat Ale, Peach Love & Happiness, and Guide Beer: A Lager.
  • Have you heard about the artist collaboration brews? This year you will find the Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's IPPPA, Iration's Already Gold, and Fruition's "Fruition's Fire." 
  • Take a break from the sun and stop by the SweetWater Experience Tent, a weekend-long craft beer centric event where you can taste your way through 25 unique styles of SweetWater beers. Enjoy presentations a wide variety of topics. We've included the schedule for the SweetWater experience below.

6. Sustainability: SweetWater 420 Fest's eco-friendly focus grows stronger each year.

  • Did you know that 420 Fest started as an Earth Day celebration in 2005? Festival organizers continue to go the extra mile each year with so many ways you can contribute. 
  • Make sure to purchase your refillable Steelys cup to do your part and protect the environment this weekend.
  • Make sure to stop by the Planet 420 Eco-Village, where the majority of environmental workers spend the weekend raising awareness for Mother Earth. Hands-on workshops engage attendees and educate them on how to become more eco-friendly in their day-to-day lives. 
  • The festival offers a heap of transportation options, such as MARTA and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, which allow for eco-friendly choices to avoid the hassle of parking downtown. 
  • To date, 420 Fest has donated over $120,000 to various neighborhood organizations including CPNO, Park Pride, and Friends of Candler Park (where the festival was previously held).

7. You never know what you'll find in the artist + craft vendor market.

  • There's more to SweetWater 420 Fest than just music and beer. Each year, dozens of artists and craft vendors from across the country are showcased at the 420 Fest Artist Market. You never know what you might stumble across amongst your artist village at a major music festival. Arrive a little early or maybe even take a break from the music and check out the entire festival grounds this year. 

8. Lyrics & Laughter Stage will put a smile on your face.

  • While the SweetWater Stage and 420 Strain Stage get the majority of the attention, one of our favorite elements of 420 Fest is the Lyrics & Laughter Stage, which is presented by Aisle 5. This stage hosts a mix of both local, up-and-coming bands, as well as a handful of nationally touring acts. We're especially excited for Cory Wong of Vulfpeck (Friday), SunSquabi (Saturday), Zach Deputy & The Yankees (Sunday), Hedonistas (Saturday),  Flow Tribe (Friday), Travers Brothership (Friday), Voodoo Visionary (Sunday), and The Orange Constant (Sunday). 
  • You don't want to miss out on Joe Pettis and Andrew Michael either. These two stand up comedians will perform on each day in between various sets on the Lyrics & Laughter stage. Click here to check out the schedule. 

9.  Got a minute to give? Don't miss the 4:19 Auctions.

  • The 420 Fest band charity auction will benefit each participating artists charity of choice. Participating artists include Widespread Panic (Tunes for Tots), The Avett Brothers (Press On), Joe Russo's Almost Dead (Atlanta Community Food Bank), Rebelution (Atlanta Music Project), Moon Taxi (We're Hear For You), Claypool Lennon Delirium (Atlanta Community Food Bank), Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (Music In The Park), SunSquabi (Can'd Aid Foundation), Billy Strings (Nicholas House), Cory Wong (Conscious Allience), BIG Something (Atlanta Music Project), Fruition (Atlanta Music Project), Pink Talking Fish (Positive Legacy), and Turkuaz (Positive Legacy)...just to name a few.
  • Auction items include concert tickets, signed memorabilia, photos, meet & greets, and more. Mobile bidding began on April 16th and lasts through the end of the weekend. CLICK HERE to register for online bidding.

10. There's some serious after shows to choose from. Killer late night sets across the city.

  • Not quite ready to call it a night after the headliner? No problem. The afterparties surrounding this year's festival are as strong as you'll find anywhere. Terminal West will host Ghost Light on Friday night and Billy Strings on Saturday. Aisle 5 will host Voodoo Visionary on Thursday, Higher Learning on Friday, SunSquabi on Saturday, and Knower + Nate Wood Four on Sunday. Additional afters shows we're keeping an eye on include Bird Dog Jubilee Schema at Cotton Club (downstairs at the Tabernacle) on Friday and Runaway Gin "Make Phish Evil Again" at The Loft on Friday.

Here's a quick video recap from the 2018 festival:

    Check out the full weekend schedule and map out your weekend below!


    Turkuaz Brings The Power Funk Back To Colorado This Weekend September 27, 2017 22:37

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    Photo via Turkuaz
    Words via Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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    When you're accustomed to living in the musical hotbed that is Colorado, you're choices for musical entertainment are sometimes overwhelming. Between cities like Denver, Boulder, and Aspen, there is literally world class talent coming through the area on what seems like a daily basis. This weekend is a perfect example with the power funk army of Turkuaz hitting all three cities. Sudanese-American rising star Sinkane will be on board as support for all three shows, and that's an 'opening set' that you do not want to miss out on.
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    Those familiar with the band will agree that Turkuaz is easily one of the most unique and entertaining acts of this era. The band has been appropriately dubbed as 'power funk', and it doesn't take long to realize why. Whether its the ridiculously talented brass ensemble, jaw dropping female vocalists, or even the color coordinated outfits, Turkuaz delivers a performance like no other, and Colorado is in for an absolute treat this weekend.
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    Turkuaz Weekend Colorado Dates:
    Thursday 9/28: Belly Up - Aspen, CO w/ Sinkane
    Friday 9/29: Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO w/ SInkane
    Saturday 9/30: Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO w/ Sinkane
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    Watch Turkuaz perform "On The Border" with The New Mastersounds here:
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    Turkuaz Announces New Year's Eve In Baltimore September 12, 2017 14:46

     

    Photo by Capacity Images

    As the end of 2017 nears, Turkuaz is thrilled to announce The Ball Drop, their annual New Year’s Eve celebration.  This year’s event will take place in Baltimore, MD at Rams Head Live and also feature Pimps Of Joytime.  The celebration will mark the end of a benchmark year for Turkuaz that includes notable debuts throughout the year at Jam Cruise, Red Rocks, Bonnaroo, Wanee Festival and numerous highlight appearances throughout the United States.

    A limited amount of lower fee, fan pre-sale tickets are available now ahead of the general public on sale this Friday, September 15 at 10:00am EST. Discounted early bird VIP option available too.

    Pre-Sale Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/yc9v75ye

    FB Event: http://tinyurl.com/y9xvv3ra

    In addition to unveiling New Years plans, today marks the start of a massive Fall Tour for the group in Arcata, CA.  Consisting of just short of fifty stops and covering ground from coast to coast, the extensive run maintains the band on a busy schedule through December.  In addition to Sinkane, who joins throughout the already announced West Coast leg, other hand picked special guests include Con Brio, The Suffers, & Pimps Of Joytime.  Amidst the many club and theater plays, including a hometown show at the newly opened Brooklyn Steel, are a handful of festival appearances including Whale Rock Music Festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival, LEAF Festival and Hangtown Music Festival.  Turkuaz will be teaming up with Live for Live Music throughout the tour to provide behind-the-scenes coverage, real-time recaps, and more updates from the road.

    They’ve become one of Brooklyn’s freshest exports, nine charismatic men and women brightly outfitted to have their colorful nature match their expressive voice, playing sounds that blend genuine soul and a potent funk that can’t be forced.  It’s been a quickly addictive pulse and a reputation for a distinct, heavy footed “Powerfunk” that continues to steadily grow their presence.  Since hitting the road hard in 2012, Turkuaz have a released a handful of albums, canvassed the US more times over, and continued to gather devoted listeners along the way.  The band has made impactful appearances at Bonnaroo & Red Rocks, and filled rooms east to west from Terminal 5 in New York to The Fillmore in San Francisco.  Balancing the conventional wisdom that has sparked their flame and using its heat to forge their own sword, Turkuaz is a band that can make anyone appreciate the side that feels familiar, yet remain intrigued by it’s ability to explore its own complex character comprised of nine striking personalities.

    Live, Turkuaz is a rock band at the core, yet conjures up sweaty dance parties with the flick of an on-switch, a synchronized dance palette of vibrant colors, and eargasms that deliver pleasing punches one song at a time.  That combination is a spectacle that’s hard to miss and hard to leave feeling anything short of quenched.

    Watch Turkuaz perform "Monkey Fingers" on Jam Cruise here:


    Turkuaz Adds More 2017 Tour Dates August 15, 2017 10:58

    Brooklyn, NY -- As an eventful summer rolls on, Turkuaz is enthused to unveil a throng of additional dates to their Fall 2017 Tour.  Consisting of just short of fifty stops and covering ground from coast to coast, the extensive run maintains the band on a busy schedule through December.  In addition to Sinkane, who joins throughout the already announced West Coast leg, other hand picked special guests include Con Brio, The Suffers, & Pimps Of Joytime.  Amidst the many club and theater plays, including a hometown show at the newly opened Brooklyn Steel, are a handful of festival appearances including Whale Rock Music Festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival, LEAF Festival, & Hangtown Music Festival.  The last two dates revealed today lay anticipation towards The Ball Drop, the band’s annual New Year’s event that remains unannounced at the moment.  Special fan pre-sale tickets are available now at www.turkuazband.com ahead of general public on sale this Friday, Aug 18 @ 12pm local time.  

    They’ve become one of Brooklyn’s freshest exports, nine charismatic men and women brightly outfitted to have their colorful nature match their expressive voice, playing sounds that blend genuine soul and a potent funk that can’t be forced.  It’s been a quickly addictive pulse and a reputation for a distinct, heavy footed “Powerfunk” that continues to steadily grow their presence.  Since hitting the road hard in 2012, Turkuaz have a released a handful of albums, canvassed the US more times over, and continued to gather devoted listeners along the way.  The band has made impactful appearances at Bonnaroo & Red Rocks, and filled rooms east to west from Terminal 5 in New York to The Fillmore in San Francisco.  Balancing the conventional wisdom that has sparked their flame and using its heat to forge their own sword, Turkuaz is a band that can make anyone appreciate the side that feels familiar, yet remain intrigued by it’s ability to explore its own complex character comprised of nine striking personalities.

    Live, Turkuaz is a rock band at the core, yet conjures up sweaty dance parties with the flick of an on-switch, a synchronized dance palette of vibrant colors, and eargasms that deliver pleasing punches one song at a time.  That combination is a spectacle that’s hard to miss and hard to leave feeling anything short of quenched.

    Watch Turkuaz perform "Monkey Fingers" live on Jam Cruise:

    Photo Credit: Capacity Images
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    2017 Tour Dates

    08/18 Pittsboro, NC: Big What?

    08/19 Cockeyesville, MD: Hot August Festival

    08/24 Westerly, RI: Paddy’s Beach Club

    08/25 Westerly, RI: Paddy’s Beach Club

    09/01 Saranac Lake, NY: The Water Hole

    09/03 Bouckville, NY: The Yard @ Ray’s BBQ

    09/12 Arcata, CA: Humboldt Brews

    09/13 Ashland, OR: The Historic Ashland Armory

    09/14 Chico, CA: Lost On Main

    09/15 Santa Cruz, CA: The Catalyst Atrium

    09/16 San Francisco, CA: The Fillmore*

    09/17 Templeton, CA: Whale Rock Music Festival

    09/20 Missoula, MT: Top Hat Lounge*

    09/21 Spokane, WA: Knitting Factory*

    09/22 Seattle, WA: Neumos*

    09/23 Portland, OR: Wonder Ballroom*

    09/24 Bend, OR: Domino Room*

    09/27 Salt Lake City, UT: The State Room*

    09/28 Aspen, CO: Belly Up*

    09/29 Boulder, CO: Fox Theatre*

    09/30 Denver, CO: Ogden Theatre*

    10/03 Phoenix, AZ: Last Exit Live*

    10/04 Solana Beach, CA: Belly Up*

    10/05 Los Angeles, CA: Teragram Ballroom*

    10/06 Las Vegas, NV: The Yard @ Top Golf

    10/07 Joshua Tree, CA: Joshua Tree Music Festival

    10/18 Charlottesville, VA: The Southern Music Hall**

    10/19 Richmond, VA: The National**

    10/20 Raleigh, NC: Lincoln Theatre**

    10/21 Black Mountain, NC: LEAF Festival

    10/27 Placerville, CA: Hangtown Music Festival

    10/28 Placerville, CA: Hangtown Music Festival

    11/01 Cleveland, OH: Beachland Ballroom

    11/02 Pittsburgh, PA: Rex Theater^

    11/03 Philadelphia, PA: TLA^

    11/04 Providence, RI: Fete Music Hall^

    11/05 Portland, ME: Port City Music Hall^

    11/07 Buffalo, NY: Buffalo Iron Works^

    11/08 Syracuse, NY: Westcott Theater^

    11/09 Northampton, MA: Pearl Street^

    11/10 Woodstock, NY: Bearsville Theater^

    11/11 Brooklyn, NY: Brooklyn Steel^

    11/29 Minneapolis, MN: The Cabooze^

    11/30 Madison, WI: High Noon Saloon^

    12/01 Chicago, IL: Concord Music Hall^

    12/02 Covington, KY: Madison Theater^

    12/03 Morgantown, WV: 123 Pleasant Street^

    12/06 Charleston, SC: Pour House^

    12/07 Atlanta, GA: Terminal West^

    12/08 Nasvhille, TN: Exit/In^

    12/09 Indianapolis, IN: The Vogue Theatre^

    12/29 Boston, MA: Paradise Rock Club ^^

    12/30 New Haven, CT: College Street Music Hall ^^

    *w/ Sinkane

    ** w/ Con Brio

    ^ w/ The Suffers

    ^^ w/ Pimps Of Joytime

    Turkuaz: Official Website

    Turkuaz: Facebook

    Turkuaz: Instagram

    Turkuaz: Twitter

    Turkuaz is:

    Dave Brandwein -- Lead & Backing Vocals/Guitar

    Taylor Shell -- Bass

    Craig Brodhead -- Guitar/Keys

    Michelangelo Carubba -- Drums

    Josh Schwartz -- Baritone Sax/Lead & Backing Vocals

    Greg Sanderson -- Tenor Sax

    Chris Brouwers -- Trumpet/Keys

    Sammi Garett -- Lead & Backing Vocals/Percussion

    Shira Elias -- Lead & Backing Vocals


    Turkuaz Announces Fall West Coast Tour Dates June 6, 2017 13:18

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    As the middle of 2017 approaches, Brooklyn based, funk party powerhouse Turkuaz is thrilled to announce that their plans for the Fall will commence with a return to the West Coast.  The tour will canvas California, reach up throughout the Pacific Northwest, extend as far east as Colorado, and conclude at Joshua Tree Music Festival.  The majority of dates will feature support from very special guest Sinkane. 
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    By the time the September outing hits, the group will have finished a landmark summer including debuts at Bonnaroo, Red Rocks, Camp Bisco, Northwest Strings Summit, Floyd Fest and more.  Other notable summer stops include Funk Of Ages with Lettuce and Snarky Puppy at The Fillmore in Philadelphia, PA in June, and a Phish Baker’s Dozen After-Party at Irving Plaza in New York City in July.  A full list of tour dates are below with more to be added in the future.
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    Off the road, the nine piece has been working on new material and spent time in May at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, NY with Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads in the producer’s chair.
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    Turkuaz is a 9-piece “Powerfunk” outfit from Brooklyn, NY, whose modern take on the classic funk sound has established them as leaders in the funk revolution that’s currently taking place in the genre. Blending elements of Pop, R&B, and Soul with their distinct aggressive funk core, Turkuaz sounds like the musical love child of Sly & the Family Stone and Talking Heads.
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    The group’s constant touring since 2012 has earned them a passionate and dedicated national fan base that’s consistently growing. A dance band at their roots, Turkuaz’s live shows are high-energy, floor-shaking, visually appealing events filled with colorful clothing and choreographed dance moves that always leave attendees wanting more.
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    Turkuaz 2017 Tour Dates
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    06/08 Manchester, TN: Bonnaroo
    06/10 Stephentown, NY: Disc Jam
    06/24 Philadelphia, PA: The Fillmore
    06/30 Waitsfield, VT: Frendly Gathering
    07/01 Cincinnati, OH: Paradise On the Point
    07/02 Chicago, IL: Live On Lincoln
    07/13 Scranton, PA: Camp Bisco
    07/15 Northwest Plains, OR: Northwest String Summit
    07/25 New York, NY: Irving Plaza
    07/28 Floyd, VA: Floyd Fest
    07/29 Floyd, VA: Floyd Fest
    08/18 Pittsboro, NC: Big What?
    08/19 Cockeyesville, MD: Hot August Festival
    08/24 Westerly, RI: Paddy’s Beach Club
    08/25 Westerly, RI: Paddy’s Beach Club
    09/01 Saranac Lake, NY: The Water Hole
    09/03 Bouckville, NY: The Yard @ Ray’s BBQ
    09/12 Arcata, CA: Humboldt Brews
    09/13 Ashland, OR: The Historic Ashland Armory
    09/14 Chico, CA: Lost On Main
    09/15 Santa Cruz, CA: The Catalyst Atrium
    09/16 San Francisco, CA: The Fillmore*
    09/17 Templeton, CA: Whale Rock Music Festival
    09/20 Missoula, MT: Top Hat Lounge*
    09/21 Spokane, WA: Knitting Factory*
    09/22 Seattle, WA: Neumos*
    09/23 Portland, OR: Wonder Ballroom*
    09/24 Bend, OR: Domino Room*
    09/27 Salt Lake City, UT: The State Room*
    09/28 Aspen, CO: Belly Up*
    09/29 Boulder, CO: Fox Theatre*
    09/30 Denver, CO: Ogden Theatre*
    10/03 Phoenix, AZ: Last Exit Live*
    10/04 Solana Beach, CA: Belly Up*
    10/05 Los Angeles, CA: Teragram Ballroom*
    10/06 Las Vegas, NV: The Yard @ Top Golf^
    10/07 Joshua Tree, CA: Joshua Tree Music Festival
    10/27 Placerville, CA: Hangtown Music Festival
    10/28 Placerville, CA: Hangtown Music Festival
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    *w/ Sinkane
    ^ w/ Organ Freeman
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    Turkuaz is:
    Dave Brandwein -- Lead & Backing Vocals/Guitar
    Taylor Shell -- Bass
    Craig Brodhead -- Guitar/Keys
    Michelangelo Carubba -- Drums
    Josh Schwartz -- Baritone Sax/Lead & Backing Vocals
    Greg Sanderson -- Tenor Sax
    Chris Brouwers -- Trumpet/Keys
    Sammi Garett -- Lead & Backing Vocals/Percussion
    Shira Elias -- Lead & Backing Vocals
     

    Turkuaz Announces Additional Summer Tour Dates April 25, 2017 12:33



    Watch moe. + Members Of Turkuaz Cover Talking Heads On Jam Cruise April 18, 2017 11:51

    If you pay any attention to the jam/festival scene, you've most likely heard many epic stories from Jam Cruise an annual five-day, music cruise, featuring jam, funk, rock, jazz, and electronic performances. The message from those who attend each year seem to have the same message: "the greatest party in the world."  Jam Cruise consistently features many of the music scene's hottest acts, and this year was no different.  The collaborations came early and often, including when members of Turkuaz and Nate Wilson (Percy Hill) joined moe.'s Pool Deck set for an amazing take on the Talking Head's classic "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" 

    Jam Cruise recently released pro-shot, multi-cam, HD video footage of the performance, which features moe., Nate Wilson (keyboards), Turkuaz vocalists Shira Elias and Sammi Garrett as well as the Brooklyn funk band’s horn section of Greg Sanderson, Chris Brouwers and Josh Schwartz. You'll also notice moe. percussionist Jim Laughlin stepping up on bass, while Rob Derhak focuses strictly on lead vocals.

    Watch the super jam on "This Must Be The Place" here:


    Turkuaz Announces 'The Ball Drop' New Year's Eve October 4, 2016 09:52

    On the heels of beginning an extensive nationwide Fall Tour with The New Mastersounds, Turkuaz is pleased to announce The Ball Drop, their annual New Years event.  The two night event is being brought to Fete Ballroom in Providence on December 30 and 31.  Joining the festivities as support will be Moon Hooch on December 30, and Kung Fu and West End Blend on December 31.

    Between standout performances at Lock’n Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Peach Music Festival, and Mountain Jam, and graduating into theater on the regular touring circuit, 2016 has been a landmark year for the 9-piece funk powerhouse.  

    Turkuaz is a 9-piece “Powerfunk” outfit from Brooklyn, NY, whose modern take on the classic funk sound has steadily ascended them into a mainstay staple for music lovers of all walks of life and all ages. Blending elements of Pop, R&B, and Soul with their distinct aggressive funk core, Turkuaz sounds like the musical love child of Sly & the Family Stone and Talking Heads.

    The group’s constant coast-to-coast touring since 2012 has earned them a passionate and dedicated national fan base that’s consistently growing. A dance band at their roots, Turkuaz’s live shows are high-energy, floor-shaking, visually appealing events filled with colorful clothing and choreographed dance moves that always leave attendees wanting more.

    Watch Turkuaz perform "Chatte Lunatique" at Mountain Jam 2016 here:

    The Ball Drop

    Featuring Two Nights of Turkuaz

    w/ special guests

    Moon Hooch - 12/30

    Kung Fu & West End Blend - 12/31

     

     

    Turkuaz is:

    Dave Brandwein -- Lead & Backing Vocals/Guitar

    Taylor Shell -- Bass

    Craig Brodhead -- Guitar/Keys

    Michelangelo Carubba -- Drums

    Josh Schwartz -- Baritone Sax/Lead & Backing Vocals

    Greg Sanderson -- Tenor Sax

    Chris Brouwers -- Trumpet/Keys

    Sammi Garett -- Lead & Backing Vocals/Percussion

    Shira Elias -- Lead & Backing Vocals


    www.turkuazband.com

    www.facebook.com/turkuaznation

    www.instagram.com/turkuazband/

    www.twitter.com/turkuazband

    www.youtube.com/turkuazband


    Looking Back On LOCKN': A Weekend In Review September 4, 2016 14:20

    Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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    Photos by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography
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    Now that I have had nearly seven full days to digest what I witnessed last weekend, it only seems appropriate to attempt to explain my LOCKN' experience.  This was something I planned to do earlier in the week, before coming down with a mild case of what many have called the "wook flu."  My friends and I set out out on the journey from Alabama to Virginia just before sunrise on Thursday, August 25th, slightly apprehensive and anxious about a four day festival in the heat of summer.  With arguably the best lineup of bands I've ever seen (extra stess on "arguably," as it's all relative), excitement was certainly abound.  Luckily, some friends hooked us up with a few extra forest camping passes, which proved to be a total game changer.  We managed to set up camp just in time to head to the concert grounds for Vulfpeck's opening set, which served as a perfect intro to the epic weekend ahead.

    Vulfpeck has been one of the hottest bands in the festival scene for nearly two years, and their live show speaks for itself.  What you see is what you get with Vulfpeck. They keep it as simple as possible, playing real instruments with essentially no effects. This making for a a very raw, natural outcome.  This set was highlighted by several of their hits, such as "Funky Duck," "1612," and "Put It In My Back Pocket," as well as a cover of Steely Dan's "Peg" that nearly lit the crowd on fire.  As they finished up, the massive crowd had its first glimpse at the infamous "turntable stage," which Umphrey's McGee took full advantage of.  Within three seconds of Vulfpeck stopping, Umphreys cranked into full effect with "Nipple Trix" as the stage rotated, which quickly segued into one of my personal favorites, "1348."  

    The set continued with "Attachments" and "The Triple Wide," one of the bands biggest jam vehicles.  The "2x2" > "Speak Up" > "2x2" sequence moved swiftly into a raging take on "Puppet String," ultimately leading into "Roctopus."  At this time, Brendan Bayliss called upon none other than Gene Ween, who performed an entire set with Umphrey's last summer known as "God Boner."  Being that ole Gene has an uncanny resemblance to Billy Joel these days, the decision to cover Joel's "The Stranger" was well received.  With little time to spare, the band then segued back into "Puppet String," before "All In Time" closed things out in powerful fashion.   

    Watch Umphrey's perform "The Stranger" with Gene Ween here:
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    Next to take the stage was Ween, who was slated for the evening's headlining set.  It was clear early on that many in attendance did not know what to expect from these guys; myself included.  While I've casually listened to Ween over the last fifteen years, I never dove in deep, and I'd never had a chance to see them live.  While their were some very bizarre moments, I loved every minute of it.  These guys managed to pump out 26 total songs, including many I was familiar with such as "Transdermal Celebration," "Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony," "How High Can You Fly," "Beacon Light, "Baby Bitch," "Boys Club," "Fat Lenny," "Push The Little Daisies," "Ocean Man," and "Zoloft."  We've made it a full week since this set, and I'm still talkin' bout "Boys Club."  I can't help but think that Dean and Gene must be somehow related to Trey Parker and Matt Stone (creators of South Park), and last weekend further affirmed that assumption.  

    After a truly exhausting two hours with Ween, there was just enough time for the first of many cool down sessions back at the car.  These sessions were critical, as we had a chance to turn up the A/C, charge the cell phone, and collect our completely scattered thoughts.  There wasn't much time to waste though, as Joe Russo's Almost Dead was up next at the Blue Ridge Bowl.  This was arguably my most highly anticipated performance of the weekend.  Like many others, I had been dying to see this band since its inception three years ago, but they don't tour extensively.  So, this was my first opportunity to catch their set, and I'll just say this.  JRAD uses the catalog of the Grateful Dead as a launching pad into something that is totally its own.  

    I was absolutely blown away by my first JRAD experience, which kicked off with "Space" > "Truckin'," before moving into an absolute monster "St. Stephen."  "The Eleven" and "Brown Eyed Women" would follow, before "The Wheel" opened up another insane improv section.  The set continued with powerful takes on "Estimated Prophet," "Tennessee Jed," and "Viola Lee Blues," and a beautiful take on "He's Gone" would follow.  Right around 3:15 AM, the band busted into "Terrapin Station," and you better believe we got the full Terrapin Suite.  This was easily the best late night set I'd experienced at this point, and one of the best Dead sets I've ever witnessed.  Keep in mind that I'm a child of the late 80's.  

    Watch JRAD perform "He's Gone" > "Terrapin Station" here:
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    While it was already nearly 90 degrees upon waking up on Friday, the lineup ahead of us demanded our full effort and attention.  Turkuaz was scheduled for a 12:30 PM power funk lunch session, and that's something you just can't miss out on.  This is one of the most entertaining, high-energy bands in the festival circuit, and they've only scratched the surface.   These guys are incredibly tight, and the level of choreography that goes into each set can't go unnoticed.  The set ultimately closed with an amazing rendition of The Band's "Shape I'm In," to which the stage rotated with Vulfpeck in full effect.

    As much as I hated to walk away from Vulfpeck, I knew that my next move was arguably my most critical decision of the weekend, and the "Infinity Downs" area had a live video stream of the main stage.  I made my way over to the almighty Vida-Flo RV, which treated me to an incredibly pleasant experience.  The fine folks at Vida-Flo spent their majority of time at LOCKN' helping others rehydrate and obtain a much needed second wind to fight through the outrageously hot and humid weekend.  "The LOCKN' Special" put me exactly where I needed to be, and I was able to enjoy Vulfpeck's covers of "Boogie On Reggae Woman" and "Tell Me Somethin' Good" during the procress.  I can't say enough about Jamey, Katie, and the rest of the Vida-Flo team for the service they provided to so many at LOCKN'.

    The remainder of Friday afternoon was highlighted by performances from White Denim, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, and Peter Wolf (of the J Geils Band).  With my new found energy and hydration, I made it back to the concert grounds and enjoyed a seriously rockin' set from White Denim, who I'd been looking forward to seeing for several years.  While I definitely haven't given White Denim the attention they deserve over the years, I have loved everything I've heard from these guys.  Songs like "Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)" and "At Night In Dreams" have been staples in my regular rotation for some time, and the entire Corsica Lemonade album is simply brilliant.  

    One lifesaving factor to my LOCKN' experience that I have failed to mention thus far is the hospitality that we experienced at Starr Hill Brewery tent, which was located at the back of the concert grounds.  Starr Hill, a craft brewery based in Crozet, VA, is the official beer sponsor of LOCKN', and I'm not sure how we would've survived without it.  Fortunately, a longtime childhood friend works for the brewery and granted us access to the tent the entire weekend.  Shade, fans with mist, cool beer, and most importantly water, were made available to all of Starr Hill's patrons this weekend, as well as a distant view of the main stage.  The luxury of watching White Denim and part of Charles Bradley's set from the Starr Hill tent was a perfect way to continue the afternoon.  Star Hill Brewery probably saved our lives last weekend.

    As the sun began to set, Ween returned to the stage for it's second set of the weekend.  While this set was closer to 80-90 minutes, it was an absolute scorcher.  One of my top highlights from the weekend came in the form of "Roses Are Free" > "Your Party" > "Bananas and Blow" > "Voodoo Lady."  Several other classics, including "Mutilated Lips," "Spinal Meningitis," "Piss Up A Rope," and "Buckingham Green" helped make this set one that I'll never forget.  

    The stage was now set for a moment that so many were waiting for.  Phish was slated for two full sets as the Friday night headliner.  While the 90-minute break in music felt like an eternity, this was soon forgotten as the band took the stage and ripped into the opening notes of "Wilson."  Despite a few miscues in "Wilson," as well as the intro to "Down With Disease," this set was off to a really hot start.  "Free" and "Wolfman's Brother" would follow, before we were treated to a "Tube" which featured that extended jam that has been somewhat rare in recent years.  Next up was "555," which even went further than it typically does with a next outtro jam.  

    "It's Ice" was probably the highlight of the first set for me, as it's just one of those songs that I tend to miss by one show.  "Wingsuit," which may be the most underrated song in the Phish catalog, slowed the pace and ultimately led into one of the most beautiful jams of the weekend.  The transition into "Simple" pumped a new life into the massive crowd, and just when you thought the set was over, the lights shifted to one particular mic stand, indicating an acapella performance.  I was lucky enough to witness the debut of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" at Wrigley Field in June, and I was elated to hear it again on Friday night.  There's nothing quite like their spin on that classic tune.

    After a brief intermission, Trey wasted no time busting into "Punch You In The Eye," and he didn't let off the gas once.  "Blaze On" and "Fuego" were perfectly executed, and the "Ghost" that followed was easily the biggest jam of the night.  The segue into "Bathtub Gin" was seemless, and "Backwards Down The Number Line" provided an amazing, nostalgic sing-a-long, as it always does.  Any set that ends with "You Enjoy Myself" is a treat, and this was the case on Friday.  The trampolines came out, and Trey even gave us a little break dancing expo during Mike's solo.  The "Ass Handed" tease during the eventual vocal jam was icing on the cake.  You can only do so much with an encore after "YEM," and this was a night where "Character Zero" was the perfect choice.  Just like that, Phish's first LOCKN' set was over, and we couldn't have asked for much more.

    I won't get too repetitive when discussing the second late night set from JRAD, but goodness gracious, it was amazing.  Just the fact that our evening included Ween > Phish > JRAD was hard to believe.  "Good Lovin" kicked off the set, and "Shakedown Street," "China Cat Sunflower," and "I Know You Rider" would follow.  The band welcomed Nicole Adkins to the stage to add a little Donna Jean flare to "Dancin' In The Streets," "The Music Never Stopped," and "Turn On Your Lovelight."  I was not familiar with Adkins prior to this set, but wow...she's got some serious pipes.  Her involvement in this set was something that will always stand out when thinking back on this one.  Fortunately, she stuck around for harmony vocals on the "Franklin's Tower," "Thowing Stones," and "Not Fade Away" which closed out night two at LOCKN'.  Joe Russo's ability to command and lead this band from behind the drum kit is absolutely remarkable, and I've never seen anything like it.  We are talking about one of the most talented drummers on the planet though, so I guess no one should be surprised.

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    We were now halfway through our LOCKN' experience, and waking up knowing that there were two more days of this madness was hard to believe.  Just like every other day, the lineup was slam packed full of "must see" bands, starting with Keller Williams' Grateful Grass at the Blue Ridge Bowl, or at least what was left of it from the two nights of JRAD destruction.  The Grateful Grass experience features a rotating cast of bluegrass musicians.  It's gotten to the point that Keller looks at the Dead's catalog as it's own genre, similar to jazz, as musicians can simply jump on stage with very little experience playing with one another and just roll with it.  I'd highly recommend reading Live Music Daily's interview with Keller from LOCKN', where he goes in depth on the evolution of the Grateful Grass concept.  

    Listen to the entire Grateful Gospel set here:
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    Moon Taxi was first up on the main stage, and they had the farm rocking at an early hour.  It's been a true pleasure watching this band progress from the college bar scene to touring across the country playing many of the most prestigious venues.  Their ability to find a balance between jam and mainstream rock is brilliant, and I can only imagine the dividends that it is paying.  Twiddle was up next, and I can't say enough about this band.  I feel like I haven't stopped listening to Twiddle all summer, and I've been fortunate to attend two summer festivals (LOCKN' and The Werk Out) which featured two sets of Twiddle.  "Jamflowman" and "When It Rains It Pours" gave me my two favorite Twiddle originals, and Keller Williams' sit-in on "Best Feeling" was likely the top spontaneous collaboration of the weekend.  

    Watch Twiddle and Keller Williams perform "Best Feeling" here:
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    Thanks to the champions at SiriusXM JamOn, nearly every major set at LOCKN' was broadcasted live, which you wouldn't think would impact those of us at the festival.  You have to take a break at some point though, especially amidst the extreme heat and humidity last weekend.  While I didn't watch the Galactic set with Lee Oskar, I was able to listen live from my car, which was a major luxury.  Galactic has been an anchor in the jam/festival scene for as long as I can remember, and they delivered once again.  Hard Working Americans were next on stage, providing me with my first chance to see this super group in person.  

    While I've been a huge Widespread Panic fan for 15+ years, my eyes were glued to Neal Casal's guitar playing.  This guy is one of the best in the business, and easily one of the "hardest working" musicians around.  He was easily the MVP of the weekend, performing with HWA, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Phil Lesh & Friends, and Circles Around The Sun.  Todd Snider's unique stage presence and style was a treat to watch, and it was a lot of fun watching Dave Schools and Duane Trucks jamming together with these guys.  

    Saturday's Phil & Friends lineup was easily one of the most hyped moments of the weekend, and how could it not have been?  Who would have ever thought we would see Phil Lesh, Page McConnell, Jon Fishman, Joe Russo, Anders Osborne, and The Infamous Stringdusters play an entire set together?  How about adding Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi for two songs ("Mr Charlie" > "Sugaree")?  That is absolutely ridiculous, and yes, it really happened.  Seeing the stage rotate with this cast, while they busted into "Scarlet Begonias," was a memory I will always cherish.  I know I'll be listening to their renditions of "Dire Wolf," "Uncle John's Band," "Shakedown Street," and "Terrapin Station" (even if it wasn't the full Terrapin Suite) for the rest of my life.  

    Most festivals would have probably featured that type of set as the night's headliner, but we weren't even close to that point.  The world class Tedeschi Trucks Band was up next for a super soulful ride into the evening.  Each night as the sun would go down, the crowd was able to breathe a little easier without the brutal sun beating down on us, and Tedeschi Trucks was a perfect way to ease into the night.  Joe Cocker's "The Letter", "Keep On Growing," and "Let Me Get By" rounded out this killer performance, setting the stage for the set that everyone is still talking about.

    My Morning Jacket is no stranger to the festival scene, and it's no secret that they are one of the greatest rock-and-roll bands of our era.  That being said, I don't think anyone realized how dynamic this headlining set would be.  MMJ started in familiar territory with "Victory Dance," which flowed perfectly into a sequence of "Compound Fracture" > "Off The Record."  Next up was "Steam Engine," before a cover of Burt Bacharch's "What The World Needs Now" that had some true magic to it.  "I'm Amazed," "Spring," "Phone Went West, and Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved" would follow and keep this set alive.  "Magheeta" would precede another epic moment, as James led the band through a well executed cover of Prince's "Purple Rain."  The set's closing sequence of "Wordless Chorus" > "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream (Pt.2)," David Bowie's "Rebel, Rebel" and "One Big Holiday" couldn't have been written up any better.  MMJ was headlining the jam scene's biggest festival of the summer, and they dialed up a list of songs that reflected that.  The hype surrounding this set is absolutely justified, and anyone who had already seen this band perform wasn't surprised in the least.  Is there a bigger modern rock star than Jim James?  

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    Saturday's late night at Blue Ridge Bowl provided a much needed dose of funk as Lettuce took control of the party.  It's always a special occasion when Nigel Hall (keys/vocals) is on stage, adding an extra vocal element and opening up so many different options for this insanely talented group.  Prior to the set, drummer Adam Deitch and guitarist Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff promised fans the most psychedelic set of their career, and they delivered just that.  This set was specially crafted for LOCKN', and you can't help but tip your cap to these guys for such an appropriate approach.

    For many, Sunday started off with a much needed church session, and luckily, Keller Williams was slated for his annual "Grateful Gospel" set.  Joining Keller on lead guitar was none other than John Kadlecick, who's known for co-founding Dark Star Orchestra in 1997, as well as joining Furthur in 2009. The female backing vocalists truly added a church-like gospel feel throughout the set, but I highly recommending watching the performance of "We Bid You Goodnight" below.  I can't imagine a better way to start your day at a festival than 90-minutes of Keller's Grateful Gospel.

    Watch the "Moonlight Midnight" > "We Bid You Goodnight" sequence from Keller's Grateful Gospel here:
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    I was unable to make it to the main stage for the afternoon's first two performers, The Dharma Initiative and Doobie Decibel System, but there was definitely a buzz about both performances.  As amazing as this year's lineup was, it can be painful when deciding which sets you have to take a break during.  Fortunately, our campsite was within listening distance for even these sets that weren't streamed live via JamOn.  I knew I couldn't miss Twiddle's encore performance.  It's amazing to watch this band continue to flourish and reel in new fans on the biggest stage.  Sunday's set started off with "Blunderbus, "Daydream Farmer," and "Beehop," before "Lost In The Cold" seemed to have the entire farm singing in unison.  "Carte Candlestick" and "Frankenfoote" ultimately closed out the short set, as the band was again slotted for just 60-minutes.  While most any band would kill for 60-minutes at LOCKN', you just want so much more once this band gets going.  I'll be shocked if we don't see these guys back on Oak Ridge Farm in 2017.

    Watch Twiddle perform "Daydream Farmer" at LOCKN' here:
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    Every music festival could use a nice dose of reggae, and who better to provide that than the band who taught us about this genre, The Wailers.  These seasoned vets took the stage and laid down literally every Bob Marley / Wailers hit that you've ever heard.  This music always generates a notable energy amongst a crowd, but it was something really special on Sunday afternoon. You've got to love the planning and attention to detail with the placement of each band on this lineup.  There is absolutely a science to it, and Peter Shapiro knows it as well as anyone in the game.

    Chris Robinson Brotherhood took the stage fairly late in the afternoon, and they had their work cut out for them.  Not only were they slated for 90-minutes of originals, but they would then join Phil Lesh for the weekend's second set of Phil & Friends.  The CRB set was highlighted by originals such as "Leave My Guitar Alone," "Forever As The Moon," "New Cannonball Rag," and "Ain't Hard But Fair," while Jackie Moore's "Precious, Precious" and Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" rounded things out.  The band's latest hit single, "Narcissistic and Soaking Wet" would ultimately close things out.

    Watch Chris Robinson Brotherhood perform "Narcissistic Soaking Wet" at LOCKN' here:
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    While Saturday's Phil & Friends lineup featured the sexier lineup on paper, I personally thought Sunday's set had the true feel of a Dead set.  Perhaps it was presence of weekend MVP Neal Casal, who just knows how to play it like Jerry.  I've always been a fan of Robinson's vocals, and he really delivered for this one.  Just as the stage began to rotate, Phil, the boys from CRB, and Gary Clark Jr. began ripping into "Samson & Delilah."  "Good Morning Little School Girl" and "Wang Dang Doodle" were perfect choices, and the decision to play The Dead's version of Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle" was one of my favorite moments of the weekend.  This song might be the most commonly covered song in rock-and-roll, but hearing Chris Robinson sing it to The Dead's tempo was a fucking treat.  Do yourself a favor and watch the video footage below and see for yourself.  "Fire On The Mountain" and "New Speedway Boogie" opened things up for yet another monster "St. Stephen," and "The Wheel" wasn't going to slow down.  There aren't many songs in the Dead catalog better suited for a party than "Turn On Your Lovelight" (Bobby Bland), and Robinson crushed every note.  It was refreshing and reassuring to see Phil having such a great time, surrounded by so many world class musicians at LOCKN'  

    Watch Phil Lesh & Friends perform "Hard to Handle" here:
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    Gary Clark Jr. might have been the most intriguing act on the lineup entering the weekend.  While I've heard "Bright Lights" and "Don't Owe You a Thing" as many times as I can remember on JamOn, I just haven't given this guy the attention he deserves. I've been well aware of his reputation and status across the scene in general, but I was way past due for a Gary Clark Jr. set.  He and his band came out swinging as they opened with "Bright Lights," and swiftly moved into "Travis County," "Next Door Neighbor Blues," "Cold Blooded," and "BYOB."  The crowd continued filling in, and the set eventually closed out with "Don't Owe You A Thing," "You Saved Me," and "Shake.  The sound that this guy has is out of this world.  There are moments where My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon, Jimi Hendrix, and White Denim all come to mind, except that Clark compliments the heavy riffs with one of the most soulful voices you've ever heard. 

    Watch Gary Clark Jr. perform "Bright Lights" at LOCKN' here:
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    The stage was now set for one final time, and you couldn't help but stand up and look around at the scene that awaited.  The energy at Oak Ridge Farm on Sunday night was impalpable, with 30,000+ fans riding high on four days of music with two more sets of Phish to come.  Each day as the sun would set, we experienced significant release as the temperature seemed to instantly drop fifteen degrees, and this held true once again on Sunday.  Phish took the stage right around 8:30 PM, and "Sample In A Jar" was first up to the plate.  Page then cued the now infamous vocal tracking of "Martian Monster," much to the approval of the LOCKN' faithful.  I really wish they would jam this one out more than they do now, and it feels like more appropriate in the second set (Ex: Atlanta, GA - July 31st, 2015), they're typically throwing it in early and keeping it fairly tamed.

     

    The first set stayed super hot with "Axilla" and "The Moma Dance," before "Halley's Comet" provided that absurd, silly sing-a-long that very few are capable of pulling off.  We were then given a double-dose of the band's 1986 cassette tape release The White Tape with "AC/DC Bag" > "Fuck Your Face."  The sequence of "Fuck Your Face" > "46 Days" is about as heavy rock-and-roll as you can ask for from Phish.  "The Line" was a bit of a curveball, as it tends to be, but "Limb By Limb," "Possum," and "First Tube" would follow and wrap up a very, very solid first yet.  

    There were high expectations for a wave of heavy hitters in set two, and they were exceeded, as usual.  "Carini" lit a fire across the farm and flowed nicely into the "Chalkdust Torture" that you knew was coming as some point.  "Twist" seems to be one of the jams of 2016, and I don't think anyone is complaining.  I've been a sucker for "Light" since the release of Joy in 2009, as this tune has become one of the bigger jam vehicles of the Phish 3.0 era.  The "Light" jam ultimately landed into "Tweezer," prompting a mildly concerning glow stick war on Oak Ridge Farm.  Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter" was next, prompting McConnell to guide us through the classic cover.  I'm assuming the guy next to me promised his friends that he would do a headstand if Phish was to play "No Quarter," because he went ballistic during the opening notes, and his friends proceeded to lift his feet to the sky as he hit the deck.  Truly remarkable.

    From here, we went into full "space jam" mode, as Fishman dropped into the opening beat of "Also Sprach Zarathustra," aka "2001 (Space Odyssey)."  That's a dance party that never gets old.  It was apparently Fishman's moment, as he then dropped into the opening notes of "Harry Hood," which seemed to be a likely place for the set to end.  As I've said before...just when you think you know, this band proves you wrong.  They tacked on a "Tweezer Reprise" just for safe measure and made sure that this crowd was still on it's toes.  After a brief exit, the band returned and broke into The Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup" and closed out the festival with everyone screaming "What a beautiful buzz!"  While it might not have been a shocking encore selection, it felt extremely appropriate.  

    Sitting down and reliving this unforgettable experience over the past few days has allowed me to fully comprehend the remarkable journey we took just a week ago.  It's easy to get caught up in the fatigue, anxiety, and pressure to "get back into a normal" rhythm after these huge musical weekends, but it's equally important to reflect and cherish the moment.  As much fun as it was, it certainly wasn't easy.  I've never dealt with that type of heat, humidity, and pure exhaustion without access to "going inside."  In the long run, that makes the experience that much more unique, and it definitely makes for better story-telling.  There were twelve different bands on this lineup that I have travelled to see play on their own, and some on multiple occasions.  Top that off with the fact that this marked my 30th show with my favorite band: Phish.  What's left to say?  My ability to continue embarking on these musical adventures with so many of the world's greatest friends is an element of life that I'll never take for granted.  Until next time, LOCKN'...

    Special thanks to Keith Griner of Phierce Photography for capturing this weekend for us and allowing us to share it with you all.


    Turkuaz and The New Mastersounds Announce Major Fall Tour August 16, 2016 13:08

    Turkuaz and The New Mastersounds have announced a major fall tour, which will feature both bands co-headlining at venues nationwide. In celebration of the tour, both bands are releasing a joint disc which includes each band covering a song from the other's catalog. The very limited edition vinyl is now available for pre-order via both band's fan club ticketing before it's exclusively available at shows throughout tour. Click here for Tickets/Preorder.

    Turkuaz is a 9-piece “Powerfunk” outfit from Brooklyn, NY, whose modern take on the classic funk sound has established them as leaders in the funk revolution that’s currently taking place in the genre. Blending elements of Pop, R&B, and Soul with their distinct aggressive funk core, Turkuaz sounds like the musical love child of Sly & the Family Stone and Talking Heads.

    From their inception nearly two decades ago in Leeds, UK, The New Mastersounds have wholeheartedly embraced the “old school” label—their sound rooted deeply in those classic soul jazz, boogaloo and funk albums on labels such as Blue Note and Prestige by artists like Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff and Lou Donaldson. The New Mastersounds’ latest LP, The Nashville Session, takes that devotion one step further by recording in the same tradition that many of those rare groove gems were made.
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    The New Mastersounds & Turkuaz Fall Tour Dates
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    10/06 Ft. Collins, CO   Aggie Theatre
    10/07 Boulder, CO   Boulder Theatre
    10/08 Denver, CO   Ogden Theatre
    10/09 Aspen, CO   Belly Up
    10/12 Austin, TX   The Parish
    10/13 Houston, TX   The Secret Group*
    10/14 Dallas, TX   Club Dada*
    10/14 Eureka Springs, AR   Hillberry Music Festival^
    10/15 Eureka Springs, AR   Hillberry Music Festival*
    10/15 Tyler, TX   Stanley's^
    10/16 Dallas, TX   Sundwon @ Granada^
    10/18 New Orleans, LA   Joy Theater 
    10/20 Ft. Lauderdale, FL   Revolution Live
    10/21 Jacksonville, FL   Mavericks Live
    10/22 St. Petersburg, FL   Jannus Landing
    10/27 Syracuse, NY   The Westcott Theater*
    10/28 Buffalo, NY   Iron Works*
    10/29 Cleveland, OH   Beachland Ballroom*
    11/09 Solana Beach, CA  Belly Up
    11/10 Los Angeles, CA   Teragram Ballroom
    11/11 San Francisco, CA   The Fillmore
    11/12 Berkeley, CA   The UC Theatre
    11/13 Tahoe, NV   Crystal Bay Casino
    11/15 Bend, OR   The Domino Room
    11/16 Eugene, OR   Hi-Fi Music Hall
    11/17 Portland, OR   Wonder Ballroom
    11/18 Seattle, WA   Neptune Theatre
    11/19 Sandpoint, ID   The Hive
    11/20 Missoula, MT   The Top Hat 
    11/23 Minneapolis, MN   Cabooze
    11/25 Chicago, IL   Park West 
    11/26 Indianapolis, IN   The Vogue Theatre
    11/27 Kalamazoo, MI   Bell's Brewery^
    11/28 Columbus, OH   Woodlands Tavern^
    11/30 Burlington, VT   Higher Ground
    12/01 Boston, MA   Royale
    12/02 New York, NY   Terminal 5
    12/03 New Haven, CT    College Street Music Hall
    12/04 Portland, ME   Port City Music Hall
    12/06 Saratoga Springs, NY   Putnam Den
    12/07 Rochester , NY   Anthology 
    12/08 Pittsburgh, PA   The Rex Theater
    12/09 Washington DC  9:30 Club
    12/10 Philadelphia, PA   TLA
    12/11 State College, PA   The State Theatre
    12/13 Richmond, VA   The Broadberry
    12/14 Raleigh, NC   Lincoln Theatre
    12/15 Atlanta, GA   Terminal West 
    12/16 Nashville, TN   Exit/In
    12/17 Asheville, NC   The Orange Peel
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    *Turkuaz only 
    ^The New Mastersounds only
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    Watch Turkuaz's music video for "The Generator" here:
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    Watch The New Mastersounds perform "In The Middle" at Welcome to 1979 Studios here:
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    Live & Listen's 'Bands You Should Know': The Fritz July 29, 2016 13:48

    Photo by Joshua Marc Levy and Asheville Art Family

    Live & Listen is pleased to continue a brand new weekly feature known as Bands You Should Know.  This new concept will highlight a different band each Friday with an interview, general background information, current happenings, as well as videos and audio from each band.  After nearly two years of various interviews and artist spotlights, we feel that installing a consistent weekly feature is the perfect move as we progress forward.

    For our fifth edition of Bands You Should Know, we sat down with Jamie Hendrickson (guitar) of The Fritz, a progressive, five-piece funk project that has been making major noise out of Asheville, North Carolina in recent years.  We were fortunate enough to catch The Fritz's recent String Cheese Incident Afterparty in Atlanta, and we haven't stopped listening since.  If you're looking for a fresh dose of soulful funk with elements of improvisation, look no further than The Fritz.  You'll end up with an impromptu dance party of epic proportions.  

    Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

    The Fritz is going on five years strong now.  Tell me a little bit about this band's background and how everything ultimately came together in Asheville.

    Jamie: We all actually met in Jacksonville, Florida.  Everyone was in school studying music.  We started playing together; maybe a local show every couple of months.  We were writing a lot of music.  Once everyone started graduating, we decided that this was something worth pursuing.  That's when we moved to Asheville, about five years ago.  From there, we started doing everything ourselves from the ground up.  We were booking our own gigs, buying a crappy old van, and just trying to be a touring band.  It's been a very long, gradual, slow process of getting there.  It's been a lot of hard work, but now, it's really going well.

    Yeah it's definitely not an easy task, and it takes time to build anything great.  

    So, many people tend to think of cities like New Orleans and Nashville for their music scene, but Asheville's music scene is certainly strong as well.  How much of an impact does such a strong, tight-knit music scene have on a young band like The Fritz?

    Jamie: We moved to Asheville because it was a booming, central location on the east coast.  We knew that we wanted to be playing up and down the east coast.  We didn't want to get too far from the southeast, because we had already started building a following in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Atlanta.  Asheville is a beautiful place.  It offers a lot of things we love, like camping and hiking.  It's a very affordable place for a musician to live.  It also just has a great, bustling local music scene.  People go out and support live music.  The Tuesday Night Funk Jam has been an Asheville staple for 8-9 years around different venues.  That really helped us out when we first moved here.  We would go out and play often.  The guys from Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band hosted it and welcomed us with open arms. We were able to blend into the community pretty quickly.

    Watch The Fritz perform "Calculate" with The Horns from Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band on 07.08.16 here:

    It's really cool that a city the size of Asheville still manages to have such a nice variety of venues.  It seems like there are multiple spots for a band of any size to get out and play.

    Jamie: Oh yeah, exactly.  Asheville is a music destination.  That's why a lot of great music comes here.  Even the really big bands, like Widespread Panic and String Cheese Incident.  Phish even came and played here several years ago.  Nine Inch Nails and other bands like that come and play the arena.  Then you have mid-sized venues like The Orange Peel, which still holds about 1000 people.  Smaller than that, you have the Asheville Music Hall, New Mountain, and The Mothlight, and tons of other venues.  There is so much music coming through all of the time.

    I've had some really fun nights at The One Stop as well.

    Jamie: Yeah, of course.  That was actually the first venue we played when we moved here.  They’ve done an awesome job to build the smaller bands into regional bands.

    That makes sense.  I've seen some great music in the corner of that little bar.  I can only imagine how many great bands have come through there at one point or another.

    So, I recently saw you guys for the first time at Aisle 5 in Atlanta, and that funky, soulful nature of this band really gets a room moving.  There seems to be a whole lot of room for creativity within each song.  What's your strategy towards improvisation?  I'm always interested to hear about this concept.

    Jamie: Most of the time, we improvise within tight parameters.  Sometimes, there will be some slight improvisation over a section where it sounds like it isn't improvised at all.  We know exactly how long it's going to be and when it's going to go into the next section.  Most of the parameters are planned and rehearsed, but hopefully, we're trying to fool people into thinking that we're coming up with it on the spot.  Once per set, we like to have a part that is purely improvised.  We know where it's going to go, but we don't really know how it's going to get there.  Ideally, people wouldn't even be able to tell the difference.  It would be nice, at the end of the set, for people to really have no idea where we improvised.  

    Watch The Fritz perform "Another Way" from The Shoe Sessions Vol. 1 here:

    You guys got in the studio back in 2013 and recorded Bootstrap.  I'm sure that was a pivotal moment.  What was the recording process like?  Any plans to get back into the studio this year?

    Jamie: We recorded that album a few years ago down in Florida at Crooked Tree Studios.  We had some great engineers help us with that.  It was a lot of fun, and it was just us taking our first batch of songs and putting them together.  We only play about three of those songs live now.  To really excited to say that we're recording our next album in January.  There is this great band, Turkuaz, and the singer/songwriter/guitarist of their band is producing it with us up in Syracuse, NY.

    Wow.  So, that would be Dave Brandwein, right?

    Jamie: Yeah, it's going to be really fun.  We’ve played a handful of shows with Turkuaz in the past year and have become great friends with them.  We just loved them. They're great people.  We had discussed it then, and once we started seriously thinking about a time frame, we gave Dave a call.  It ended up working out with everyone's schedule.  We've been writing a ton of new music, and we can’t wait to get it all down in the studio.

    That's a great idea and a perfect fit.  I'll be looking forward to hearing this one.

    Jamie: I don't know if you've heard the most recent Turkuaz album, Digitonium, but it's amazing,  It's really, really good.  He's really creative.  The plan is to have a single out next summer.

    Very cool.  I've probably listened to Turkuaz more than any other band in the past year.  They are pretty amazing, and they put on one hell of a show.

    Jamie: Oh yeah...they're great.  They are a huge band, and they are power funk.  They advertise power funk, and that's what you get.  It's ballsy, and it's great.

    Photo by Nick Sonsini: Sonsini Media

    Things really seem to be taking off over the past two years.  You guys have been touring more extensively and playing a lot of new cities.  What have been the band's favorite cities and venues thus far?  Any particular shows that have really stood out?

    Jamie: I would say that Atlanta is getting to be a place we really look forward to.  We really just started playing there regularly.  Of course, we always love going to Spirit of Suwannee Music Park.  We're actually heading down to the Roosevelt Collier Summer Splashdown this weekend.  We'll be back there in October for Hulaween.  Collectively, that's probably our favorite place.  It’s just a one of a kind music venue.

    I can relate.  Suwannee is definitely an amazing place.  There is a little magic in the air there.

    Jamie: It's great.  We were down there this spring for AURA, which was a blast.

    We're in the midst of a time where album sales are nearly extinct.  There's also more bands and more music than ever before.  What do you guys have to focus on moving forward to allow this band to flourish and take things to the next level?

    Jamie: I would say number one...and this seems like a cliche thing to say...but it's just the music.  I think it all comes down to that.  You have to have a good product to put out there.  There are all sorts of important business things as well, but when it all comes down to it, it's all about the music.  We try to make it as good as it can possibly be.  People can tell if you're constantly pushing it, spending time doing it, and assessing over it.  People can tell that difference right away.  They might be able to translate what it is right away, but they know it's good.

    That's a great point.  You can't let yourself get caught up in the business aspect.  You've got to stay true to yourself and the music.  Nothing can replace that tight-knit chemistry of a great band

    Jamie: You can have the greatest music in the world, but if you don't have the right business strategy, it's not going to work.  So that's really important.  The things I love the most about the bands is just seeing them and thinking, "Wow!  That is undeniably amazing."  We just saw this band in Asheville last night called Mingo Fishtrap.  They're from Austin, Texas.  Oh my god, this band...they are so fantastic.  From the first song you hear, you're just like, "Wow!  I don't know what this is, but this is amazing.  I have to know about this."  Trying to have that WOW effect is our main focus.

    Watch The Fritz perform "Sawbones" at 1904 Music Hall on 07.02.16 here:

    Aside from what we've discussed, what's on the horizon for The Fritz the rest of this year?  What do you guys have on the calendar that you're really looking forward to?

    Jamie: Well, the thing that I'm most excited about, as far as this summer goes, is the cool festivals that we're playing here over the next few weeks. We're doing a festival around Asheville called SoulShine with Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band and The Mantras.  That will be a late night set.  We also have Camp Barefoot, which we're excited about.  We should be super busy this fall all along the east coast, which will culminate at Hulaween.  That's going to be a blast.  Hopefully we’ll be able to get some hang time after we play our set.  We love that place so much.

    That would be a difficult festival to leave as soon as the set is over.

    Jamie: Usually, we will hang out for the night after our set. This is one that I would certainly like to stay for at least two nights.  The lineup is amazing.  The production staff does an excellent job.  I haven't actually been to Hulaween yet.  Since the band is usually playing elsewhere for Halloween, this will be our first time playing and going to the festival.  I've heard really great things, and I am pretty excited about it.  We were hoping it was going to work out, and fortunately it did.  We've been playing around Florida for a while now and have a lot of family friends down there!

    Official Website: The Fritz

    Follow The Fritz on Facebook

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    Follow The Fritz on Twitter

    Photo by Nick Sonsini: Sonsini Media


    Turkuaz Releases New Music Video For "Doktor Jazz" July 11, 2016 17:23

    Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

    Ever since being introduced to Turkuaz back in 2014, this band has simply dominated our personal playlists.  The nine-piece "power funk army" from New York has since taken the festival scene by storm, bringing a level of energy and new age funk like we have never seen before.  Earlier today, Turkuaz released their most recent music video for "Doktor Jazz," a tune off of their most recent album Digitonium (2015).  

    The band seems to enjoy embrace the old school 80's approach to their videos, as the video for "The Generator," the first single off Digitonium, has a similar vibe to it.  This approach feels entirely appropriate for Turkuaz, who is known for their dynamic stage presence and color-coded stage attire.  If you're not yet riding the Turkuaz power funk bandwagon, the time is now.  For those of you who are, sit back and enjoy the latest work from one of the most entertaining touring bands in America.  Head over to the band's official store to purchase the entire Digitonium album today.

    Click here to read our recent interview with Josh Schwartz of Turkuaz

    Watch Turkuaz's music video for "Doktor Funk" here:

    Official Website: Turkuaz

    Follow Turkuaz on Facebook

    Follow Turkuaz on Instagram


    The Road To AURA: Josh Schwartz of Turkuaz March 3, 2016 08:46

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    The 7th Annual AURA Music & Arts Festival is right around the corner, taking place at The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida from Thursday, March 3rd to Saturday, March 5th.  As a part of our coverage of the festival, we are sitting down with a handful of this year's performers for a series of interviews called "The Road To AURA".  Next up is Josh Schwartz (bari sax, vocals) of Turkuaz.
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    Turkuaz has quickly become one of the most innovative, exciting acts in the jam/festival scene, fusing together elements of funk, soul, R&B, and pop as a 9 piece band.  How and when did the idea for this band come to life?
     
    Josh: Around 2008, Dave (Brandwein), the lead singer, and Taylor (Shell), the bass player, were finishing up at Berklee College of Music in Boston and had the idea to make a kind of disco funk studio album just for fun.  They got some other musician friends together and put together this album.  Unbeknownst to them, someone submitted the album to Berklee's student record label, Heavy Rotation Records, and the label loved it.  So they approached them about performing at this big showcase in front of 1000 people, and they were like, "Ok well I guess we have to put a band together."  There had already been a bunch of us who were jamming pretty regularly at a house that I was living at in Boston with a bunch of musicians.  So Dave and Taylor just kind of put together the musicians that we had already been playing with, and we formed the band, and our first show was in front of about 1000 people.  We really liked it, and the crowd seemed to really like it, so we decided to give it a go.  However, that being said, we only started touring pretty heavily about three years ago.  So we formed in 2008, but it's only been the last few years that we have really been touring nationally. 
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    Has the lineup remained fairly consistent, or have you had many members come and go since 2008?
     
    Josh: There are five of us who have been it in since the very beginning: Dave, Taylor, myself, Greg Sanderson, who plays tenor sax and the EWI, and Chris Brouwers on trumpet and keyboards.  And then Mikey (Michelangelo Carubba) on drums has been with us for a bunch of years.  The same goes for Craig Brodhead on guitar and keys.  Sammy Garrett (vocals/percussion) has been with us for a few years now, and Shira Elias (vocals), who is our newest member, has been with us for about a year and a half now. 
     
    Watch Turkuaz perform "Tiptoe Through the Crypto" at Telefunken Studios":
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    You mentioned that Greg plays both the tenor sax and the EWI.  Can you tell me a little more about that instrument?
     
    Josh:  Yeah so EWI stands for electronic wind instrument.  It is a strange looking thing that kind of looks like an electronic clarinet...mixed with like a giant e-vape thing.  So once we started touring in support of Digitonium, Greg started bringing out this EWI device.  It's crazy.  He plays it like a saxophone, but he has it hooked up to a synthesizer, which he uses to modify the sounds and tones that come out.  It's wild, and it kind of sounds like a synthesizer and a saxophone.   He just goes to town and rips it up.  He can do all of these crazy sweeps and jump up and down octaves and do all of these things that wouldn't be possible with a traditional saxophone, because of the limitations and mechanics of it.  So people have been going crazy when he busts it out and seem to be really curious, asking "What the hell is that thing?"  I always get a kick out of explaining to people what it is.  I think you'll probably be seeing it at AURA.  
     
     
    This past October, the band released its latest studio album, Digitonium.  How did the recording process differ on this album from your past studio efforts?
     
    Josh:  Well with this one, we were so fortunate to be able to actually live in the space that we recorded.  So for about a month, we set up shop in Syracuse, New York at More Sound Studios.  The engineer was this guy Jocko (Jason Randall) who is such an amazing person and producer.  He's truly the king of vibes.  So we lived there, recorded there, and actually wrote a lot of the stuff there, for that month.  Whereas, for most of our past recordings, we did a lot of them at Dave's (Brandwein) studio in Brooklyn called Galaxy Smith, which is an awesome studio, but the nature of our schedules when we were home made it so that it was kind of a piece-by-piece recording process usually.  The horn section would come in for an hour this day.  The rhythm section would be in another day.  We all have our own crazy schedules at home, so it was never a full band living and working for an extended period of time in the studio. 
    -
    So doing it this way for Digitonium was such an amazing experience.  It allowed us to really flesh out some ideas and add on to other people's ideas.  You know, like the horn section would be recording a part and Craig (Brodhead) would be listening and have an idea to improve our part.  A lot of things like that, with a lot of cross pollination between different sections of the band.  There was no rush, no sense of distraction.  We didn't have to leave for other jobs or gigs. We were there to make the best album we could, and I think it really shows with the finished product.  
     
     
     
    Over the years, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park has become the home to many of the nation's most anticipated annual music festivals.  What is it that differentiates Suwannee from other festival sites and makes it so special?  Do you feel the atmosphere has a direct effect on this music?
     
    Josh: First of all, I do have to say that Suwannee is my favorite setting for a festival that I have been to.  Something about that area in Northern Florida, with the Spanish moss trees, and the river and the lake.  Something about it is different.  Maybe it's just that I'm used to the Northeast festivals, which are beautiful, but it's just such a nice change of pace.  Especially those Spanish moss trees.  Something about them...the first time we went down there, I couldn't stop staring at them.  I felt that it lent a serenity and a positive vibe to the festival, which I think carried over to the festival goers.  I found that the crowd there tends to be more positive, and there are families at all festivals, but I'd say slightly more family-friendly, but without sacrificing any coolness, for lack of a better word.  People definitely party there, but they do it in a way that is conscious of others and of the surroundings.  I've been to so many festivals where people are just trashing the place or are just there for the partying, rather than the music.  I've found that the two times we have played at Suwannee (Bear Creek x 2) there is just a positive vibe that I think the beautiful, natural setting helps to instill in people.  
     
    In terms of how it affects the music, when the artists are happy, they're going to play better.  And it's hard to not smile when you're surrounded by such beauty, so yeah I can definitely imagine that it produces some sets that are pretty special that you might not get in a different setting. 
     
     
    This year marks the 7th Annual AURA Music & Arts Festival.  You have been a part of this scene for long enough to see many festivals come and go.  What do you feel are some of the most important factors in establishing and growing a successful music festival?
     
    Josh: Hmm...that's a good question.  Let's see...I think making sure that there is a solid infrastructure to make both the fans and the artists safe and comfortable.  That might be a boring answer, but it's something that I've found that a lot of unsuccessful festivals don't pay attention to details.  Like for one thing, planning for inclement weather and making sure that the bands' equipment isn't going to get rained on and destroyed.  Especially in the Northeast, it seems like there is rain at every festival.  I have not been to a single Northeast festival where it hasn't rained at some point, even when it's supposed to be all clear! Then making sure that the campsites are comfortable and safe, with adequate water and food vendors.  That gets some of your basic, boring stuff out of the way.  
     
    I think that the artists that are booked obviously play a big part.  Having some variety is probably good, even though a lot of festivals are kind of geared towards a certain niche.  So if it's a DJ festival, maybe working in a few full bands to round it out.  I think it makes for a festival that is memorable, and that people will want to return to.  Let's go back to the setting...like with Suwannee.  That's just such a beautiful place.  Having a festival in a place that is memorable in itself, and that people want to walk around and explore in.  
     
    I also think that incorporating art in an interactive way is really important.  More festivals are starting to do this.  A great example of this is Joshua Tree Music & Arts Festival at Joshua Tree National Park in California.  We played there last year, and there was just art everywhere.  The stages themselves were handmade, and there were statues and paintings everywhere.  It kind of felt like you were walking through an awesome Burning Man village.  It creates a sense of adventure, playfulness, and creativity.  I think it encourages more interaction with both the space and setting, but also with other people.  It gets the creative juices flowing for people.  
     
    Watch Turkuaz's official music video for "Generator" here":
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    Turkuaz is scheduled to play The Porch Stage from 10:45 to midnight on Friday night. How does this band go about determining the setlist for a major festival set vs. any other night on tour?
     
    Josh:  So Dave (Brandwein) is the one who writes the setlists.  But as the person who has been typing up them up after he makes them for several years, I've talked to him a little bit about it.  It seems like he tries to anticipate what the vibe of the crowd is going to be.  For instance, if we're playing a new market, and it seems like the crowd is going to be a mix of older and younger people, that will be a much different setlist than if we were playing an all ages show in a college town.  So for a set like the one we have coming up at AURA, like you said, it's pretty prime time party time.  People are gonna have their rage faces on.  So we're gonna definitely make sure to play some of the heavier hitting tunes that we have.  I'm sure that you'll be hearing some of the songs from Digitonium, since a lot of those lend themselves to the upbeat, party vibe.  It's all kind of figuring out and getting in the mindset of the average person that's gonna be in the crowd, which can be different from venue to venue and festival to festival.  We are super excited for this set, and we'll definitely be bringing the heat with the setlist.  We have The New Deal playing before us and Thievery Corporation playing right after us, and I am honored to be in between those two bands.  Those are two bands that I respect very much.  
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    This year's lineup features a notably diverse variety of the festival scene's most exciting groups.  What do you think this lineup says about the depth of this music scene in 2016? 
     
    Josh:  Well, jamtronica and the EDM scene can and does coexist healthily alongside more of the funk and non-electronic type bands. Aura has bands like Thievery Corporation and The New Deal, who I think blend electronic and live instruments beautifully, along with bands like Tom Hamilton's American Babies and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, which are more jam bands.  I think it shows that there is becoming less of a separation between the "electronic world" and the "jam world."  I like to put both of those in "air quotes" because both of those terms are very fluid.  On Saturday night you have Snarky Puppy before The Disco Biscuits.  People at the festival can appreciate both.  A few years ago, I would have said that was impossible, but I think that it's showing the openness and growing maturity of the music scene.  People don't feel like the have to pigeon hole themselves into listening to and supporting one band or one genre of music.  If it's good, and it gets you moving, than it deserves to be played at a festival. 
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    For all of the latest news on Turkuaz, head over to the band's official website and Facebook page.

    Looking Back on Catskill Chill Music Festival: Night 2 September 23, 2015 10:30

    Chuck Garvey and Rob Derhak of moe.

    Photo by Paul Citone Photography

    One of the year's most anticipated music festivals, Catskill Chill, occurred this past weekend for one last go-round at Camp Minglewood in Hancock, NY.  Due to circumstances out of their control. the sixth-annual festival served as "A Farewell to Minglewood," as they will be forced to find a new home in 2016. The festival will continue next year, and several amazing prospective locations have already been placed in the mix.  The year's lineup featured the likes of moe., Lotus, Zappa Plays Zappa, Lettuce, Electron,The Motet, Dopapod, Kung Fu, Twiddle, Turkuaz, The Werks, Particle, George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners, and many many more.  Below you will find a collection of our favorite moments from the weekend, with photos and setlists courtesy of our friends at Brotherly Love Productions.  

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    Photo by Patrick Hughes Photography

    Turkuaz

    Photo by Patrick Hughes Photography

    Kung Fu

    Photo by Patrick Hughes Photography

    Tim Palmieri of Kung Fu

    Photo by Chad Anderson Photography

    Photo by Chad Anderson Photography

    Hayley Jane & The Primates

    Photo by Chad Anderson Photography

    Hayley Jane & The Primates

    Photo by Chad Anderson Photography

    Twiddle

    Photo by Chad Anderson Photography

    Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle

    Photo by Chad Anderson Photography

    moe. feat. Diggy Lessard on guitar

    Photo by Chad Anderson Photography

    Al Schnier of moe.

    Photo by Paul Citone Photography

    Jim Laughlin of moe.

    Photo by Paul Citone Photography

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    Setlist: moe.

    Seat Of My Pants > Recreational Chemistry, Billy Goat > Bearsong, Happy Hour Hero*^, Dr. Graffenberg*, Spine Of A Dog > Buster

    {* w/ Mike Wilbur & Wenzl McGowen on horns
    ^ w/ Diggy Lessard on guitar}

    Setlist: Kung Fu

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    Prime Time Rib, Gold Coast, The Getdown, Joyride > Cars > Joyride, Paragon, Chin Music, Contusion, Daddy D, Bringing Up The Rear, S'all Good, Samurai, Cult Of Personality 
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    Setlist: Twiddle
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    Zazu’s Flight, BeeHop (with Wiley Griffin), Wasabi Eruption > The Box, Brown Chicken Brown Cow (with Todd Stoops), Jamflowman > Frankenfoote
     
    Setlist: Hayley Janes & The Primates
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    Creatures Bumpy, Road Madeline, Katrina, Mama, Make it Alright, More Interesting, To the Moon, Gasoline, Hey Mister

    Looking Back on Catskill Chill Music Festival: Night 1 September 22, 2015 09:23

     Photo by Andrew Scott Blackstein - Blackstein Photography

    One of the year's most anticipated music festivals, Catskill Chill, occurred this past weekend for one last go-round at Camp Minglewood in Hancock, NY.  Due to circumstances out of their control. the sixth-annual festival served as "A Farewell to Minglewood," as they will be forced to find a new home in 2016.  The festival will continue next year, and several amazing prospective locations have already been placed in the mix.  The year's lineup featured the likes of moe., Lotus, Zappa Plays Zappa, Lettuce, Electron, The Motet, Dopapod, Kung Fu, Twiddle, Turkuaz, The Werks, Particle, George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners, and many many more.  Below you will find a collection of our favorite moments from the weekend, with photos and setlists courtesy of our friends at Brotherly Love Productions.  

     Photos by Andrew Scott Blackstein - Blackstein Photography

    Erick "Jesus" Coomes of Lettuce

     

    Eric Krasno of Lettuce

    Jesus Coomes, Adam Deitch and Adam "Schmeeans" Smirnoff of Lettuce

    Mike Rempel of Lotus

    George Porter Jr. & Brint Anderson of the Runnin' Pardners

     

    Borahm Lee and Adam Deitch of Break Science 

    Mihali and Friends - "Dead Set"

    Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle and Tim Palmieri of Kung Fu 

     

    Mihali and Friends - "Dead Set"

    Josh Dobbs of Cats Under the Stars (Keys), Ryan Clausen of Dead Set (Drums), Brook Jordan of Twiddle (Drums), Zdenek Parker Gubb of Twiddle (Bass), Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle (guitar) and Tim Palmieri of Kung Fu (guitar)

    "Dopakuaz" Plays Studio 54

    Featuring Members of Dopapod and Turkuaz

    Josh Schwartz (Bari sax), Josh Sanderson (Tenor sax), Chris Brouwers (trumpet) of Turkuaz

     Dave Brandwein of Turkuaz

     

     Setlist: Lettuce
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    Get Greasy, Bowler, The Force, Harmonics(major>minor), Slippin into Darkness, Phyllis, Lettsanity, Dread Zeppelin, Trillogy, Madison Square, By Any Shmeeans Necessary, New Reel, Squadlive, Makin My Way (Nigel Hall), Sounds Like A Party To Me (Nigel Hall), Do It Like You Do (Nigel Hall)
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    Setlist: Lotus
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    Suitcases, Tarot, L'immueble > Neon Tubes, Sid > Wooly Mammoth, Lead Pipe >  Arupa, Kesey Seed, Livingston Storm > Umbilical Moonrise, What Did I Do Wrong
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    Setlist: Dopakuaz Plays Studio 54
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    That's The Way, A Fifth of Beethoven, Bad Girls > Le Freak,  Bell, You Should Be Dancing, Get Down, Funky Town > Disco Inferno, I Feel Love, Give It To Me Baby, Heart of Glass > Good Times

     

    Stay tuned for recaps of Night 2 and Night 3 on Wednesday and Thursday!