Turkuaz, Andy Frasco & the U.N.

×

Expand

Dani Brandwein

Turkuaz

Unapologetically vibrant and groovy, the jams of Turkuaz should make even the most reluctant dancers get on their feet and boogie. The Brooklyn nine-piece describes their sound as “powerfunk,” as they potently mix a breathtaking variety of genres to create something bold and contemporary. Their horns, harmonized vocals, percussion and glittery pageantry evoke large funk groups such as Tower of Power and James Brown’s band. But they also pull from the ’80s and ‘90s, adding psychedelic synths, indie guitar licks and modulated vocals. With Andy Frasco & the U.N.

$20 ($18 adv.; ages 18+).

press release: Brooklyn-based nine-piece Turkuaz have released their new single and video "Life In The City." The eye-popping animated video, which continues the story of On the Run, boasts otherworldly synths and rapturous horns as Turkuaz talks about being so pre-occupied with the hustle and bustle of modern life that we're blind to what's really going on underneath. The title track is the lead singlefrom Turkuaz's forthcoming album Life In The City, out September 28.

A kaleidoscope of colors, sounds and personality make up the vibrant music of Turkuaz. Balancing male-female harmonies, strutting guitars, wild brass sections, and interminable grooves, this spirit takes shape in the neon hues donned by each respective member on stage via larger-than-life performances that turn into massive dance parties. Bringing light and a self-fulfilling positivity into what can sometimes be a dark and challenging world, Turkuaz ignites an explosion of funk, alternative, rock, R&B, and psychedelia punctuated by deft musicality and show-stopping singalongs on their fifth full-length album, Life In The City.

Even in the midst of their most honest and personal subject matter to date - exploring the ups and downs of life, the current state of the world, what it takes to find happiness, and how we grasp for control when we feel disillusioned - their musicianship and upbeat, fun-loving sensibility still shines through with the joyous sound that has earned them praise from the likes of Entertainment Weekly and The New Yorker.

Avowed fans of the Stop Making Sense film, Turkuaz tapped Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads to produce standalone single "On The Run" and Life In The City's "If I Ever Fall Asleep," portraying the paranoid ramblings of an insomniac holed up in his apartment. The swaggering cry of "Lady Lovely" tells an intergalactic horror story disguised as a cross-species romance, complete with "creature" giggles from the song's vocalist Josh Schwartz. Meanwhile, on the more personal side, upbeat delivery and synth squeals underscore a poignant admission for Dave on "The One And Lonely."

Since emerging in 2011 with their self-titled debut, the group has quietly animated a movement. Touring incessantly in support of four full-length studio albums and three official live releases, they've lit up festivals from Bonnaroo, Suwanee Hulaween, Okeechobee, Electric Forest, and Mountain Jam to Telluride Jazz, High Sierra, and Lock'n, in between gracing stages at legendary spots such as Red Rocks, Terminal 5, and The Fillmore. Most recently, 2015's Digitonium LP yielded fan favorites such as "Nightswimming" and "European Festivity Nightmare" and racked up over 1 million-plus cumulative streams.

Turkuaz is Dave Brandwein [guitar, vocals], Taylor Shell [bass], Craig Brodhead [guitar, keys], Michelangelo Carubba [drums], Chris Brouwers [trumpet, keys], Greg Sanderson [tenor sax], Josh Schwartz [baritone sax, vocals], Sammi Garett [vocals], and Shira Elias [vocals].

"'Life In The City' is a storming onslaught of funk...The full and rich sounds from all nine members of the band are on display, creating a complex, yet fun danceable tune." - Magnetic Magazine

"Powerfunk nine-piece Turkuaz thrilled the [Bonnaroo] crowd with its grooving basslines, soaring horns, and roaring guitars." - Entertainment Weekly; Bonnaroo 2017 Top Ten Highlights  

"This Brooklyn-based nine-piece delivers horn-filled funk incorporating elements of R. & B., psychedelic pop, gospel, Afro-pop, New Wave, classic rock, and just about any genre that gets people dancing." - The New Yorker

"Turkuaz's rapid ascension to relevance can be aptly compared to how fast and focused they play onstage." - Relix