Newspaper Page Text
N ew York-based Rubblebucket specializes is well equipped for just about any sonic
in creating clever collages of sound and exploration,
energetic outbursts. The octet's live per- "We can feel ourselves grow," Traver says,
formances can be joyfully overheated. Their "We're excited about using each other's
recordings lean on funky rhythms, sophisti- strengths and the sound of the instruments,
cated world-beat grooves and vocalist and We've felt like we've been able to engage fans
sax player Kalmia Travel's clever melodies and quite well from early on, and we've been able
percussive singing. As the group's charismatic to develop our own sound... I think we've
ringleader, Traver couldn't be happier these really come into our own sound now more
days as Rubblebucket travels the country, than ever before," she adds. "Some people
imparting its unique stylings to willing ears. think it's such a jumble of genres—from rock
"Word-of-mouth has been the way we've
grown and extended since we started," says
Traver, speaking last week from the jam-
packed band van, en route from San Diego to
Salt Lake City. "We've just been playing live
for a long time now, and we really enjoy it. I
think that's where we have most of our energy.
We love being around each other, being silly
offstage and being really playful musically
onstage."
Traver and her boyfriend, trumpeter Alex
Toth, have b’en the core members of the
band over the last four years. They met
while attending the University of Vermont in
Burlington. Before Rubblebucket, they toured
and played together with rock/reggae group
John Brown's Body for three years. The two
have welcomed a rotation of musicians into
the lineup.
Since last fall, Traver and her bandmates
have toured heavily behind their latest studio
album, Omega La La (their third full-length).
Paste magazine designated the funky song
"Came Out of a Lady" as a top-50 tune of
2011. The video for the song, directed in-
house by drummer Dave Cole, placed the band
inside a giant Technicolor tent designed by
Traver, with head and arm holes for each band
member. It instantly became a fan fave on
YouTube.
"Came Out of a Lady'' is just one of many
songs on Omega La La that pulsate with tex
tured rhythms and bounce from one musical
style to another. With three horns, guitar,
organ, percussion, drums and b3ss, the band
and roll and pop to other things. There s no
name for it; the music is its own thing. We
have some interestingly complex arrangements
and some deep grooves that are danceable and
also engaging on an intellectual level. Also,
there are top harmonies and melodies going
on that are fun—especially for people who are
interested in having fun."
Having a weird, good time seems to be
the general theme on Omega La La. Produced
by Eric Broucek (LCD Soundsystem, !!!, Holy
Ghost) at DFA Studios and mastered by Joe
Lambert (Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors,
Herbie Hancock), the sense of energy and
spontaneity on the collection is impressive.
With positive critiques and an accelerating
buzz, Rubblebucket has plenty of momentum
behind several spring and summer tours,
which include gigs at small clubs, large con
cert halls and a few huge outdoor festivals
across North America.
"I totally feel like we can do magical shows
at any venue," Traver says. "As long as there's
energy in front of me that I can participate in,
I'm happy."
T. Ballard Lssamann
' WHER£;FarfB255
WHEN. Wednesday, Apr. U, 19 pm.
HOW MUCH*. FREE! V
APRIL 18,2012 • FLAGPOLE.COM 19