Let's Talk About TAUK
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| TAUK @ Brighton Music Hall, Boston MA 9.10.14 |
Grown out
of Oyster Bay, New York, this four piece band of brothers are on the rise, and
it’s only time till you catch them live. With Isaac Teel lockin’ down drum set,
Alric “A.C.” Carter slingin’ keys, Charlie Dolan phunkin’ down the bass line,
and Matt Jalbert stirrin’ it all up on guitar, the boys bring the beat. Having
just released their third studio album, Collisions, this past July, and pairing
up tours with some of the most legendary funk and jam groups on the scene
today, TAUK is on the run to take over, and are already doing so.
I
recently had the special opportunity to interview TAUK around the time of their
last Boston show when they opened for The New Mastersound’s at Brighton Music
Hall this past September. Discussing their new album, “Collisions”, artistic
viewpoints, inspirations and more, let’s take a peek at what the boys had to
say:
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| TAUK's Latest Album: Collisions (Released July 2014) |
MB: Ya’ll just dropped a fresh new album, titled Collisions, this year
working alongside producer, Robert Carranza, who’s worked with artists like
Jack Johnson and Mars Volta and more. How was your experience working with
him on the album? What direction has this album brought you all musically in
compared to previous released albums? Who else would you like to work
alongside within the future if given the right opportunity?
MJ: We've worked with Robert a lot in the past and he's
become a big part of our band. It's rare to find somebody who you connect with
so well on your music so our relationship with him helps our band grow a
lot. He really knows our music and how to capture it in the best way.
Collisions is definitely the next step for us. We've taken a lot of what
we were doing in the past and focused it in. For me, this album is the
best representation of what we do in a live setting that we've put out so far,
but also with a few extra touches that we were able to add through the
studio.
MB: Musicians relationships with
music are constantly evolving, being influenced, challenged and compromised.
Complex but addictive, everyone’s journey takes unexpected turns. Have you
as a group taken any spontaneous unseen turns? How do you approach and handle
these changes?
AC: Currently the biggest turn we've taken is the amount
of shows we've added to our tour schedule. We're planning to finish this year
having played approximately 175 shows so days at home are few and far
between. This has been an adjustment for us but we couldn't be more excited as
we continue to figure out the best way to tour. Playing shows and traveling is
what we signed up for.
MB: Relationships within the
band can be half the challenge of achieving success. Do you guys make sure of a
healthy band flow? If so how do you approach this part of being
a band?
AC: One of the greatest things about being in this band
is there's no egos. We understand what it takes to achieve our goals within
this band and realized a long time ago that bickering and fighting is
simply distracting. Having a healthy dynamic between people you see over 200
days a year is a must. Keep honest and have patience with each other!
MB: Ya’ll have been guest
performing and collaborating with a wide selection of talented artists over the
past few years. Who are some of your favorite artists you’ve paired
up with? Artists you wish to work with in the future?
AC: Karl Denson has sat in with us on more than a few
occasions, which was simply awesome. It’s humbling to have someone who we
respect and is established in our scene want play music with us. We've had
other fantastic collaborations/sit-ins with Craig Brodhead (Turkuaz), Ron
Holloway (Gov't Mule), Rob Compa (Dopapod), Corey Henry (Snarky Puppy), and
Robert Randolph. In the future we'd love link up with Flying Lotus,
Lettuce, Umphrey's McGee, and Derek Trucks to name a few.
MB: Any new upcoming bands in the
scene that you guys admire currently?
AC: There’s a few so I'll just list them: Snarky Puppy,
Deaf Scene, The Nth Power, Consider The Source.
MB: Almost done: The music industry
has been rapidly evolving over the past several decades. How do you feel about
the current state of the industry? Anything you hope will change in the
future?
MJ: From what we can tell, the industry looks like its
been shaken up and will continue to change. It's a very interesting time to be
involved with music because right now there's no one right way of doing
things. The door is open for bands to try different things. Different ways
of promoting themselves or releasing their music. We're always thinking of ways
to get the word out about the band and realize that things may never stop
changing. You just have to stay on your toes and constantly be looking out for
the new thing.
MB: Last question: Each of you,
you’re dirty pleasure artist/band to listen to!
Isaac- Anita Baker
Matt- Spin Doctors
Charlie- Dio
AC- Boyz II Men
Full
of fire and a bright future ahead of them, TAUK stands out as one of the
grooviest upcoming bands in the funk scene today. With three studio albums
under the belt and more to come, TAUK is walking into the prime of their
career. Currently on tour with Dopapod, TAUK continues to pair up with jam and
funk greats. Including upcoming shows with Dopapod, The Disco Biscuits,
Umphrey’s McGee and Soule Monde, TAUK is staking down their ground.
TAUK was recently named New York’s Best Jam Band of 2014 by The Village Voice.
Upcoming Shows:
December 4th – 14th: Touring w/ Dopapod (East Coast)
December 30th: Opening for The Disco Biscuits @
Best Buy Theater (NYC)
January 29th- February 21st: Touring
w/ Umphrey’s McGee (East Coast)
Check TAUK Out &
Their New Album “Collisions”:
Keep it funky!
