Trampled by Turtles

Progressive bluegrass, Americana

Trampled by Turtles have a very unique sort of style and energy which belies the specifications generally ascribed to folk and bluegrass music. But, it's hard to ignore that they're picking away on folk and bluegrass instruments, calling to mind other progressive innovators like Sam Bush and the Newgrass Revival. They also seem to occupy a lot of the same festivals as indie roots bands like Dr. Dog, Hoots & Hellmouth, the Felice Brothers, and other bands of that style. Fans of the Avett Brothers may appreciate them, as would likely fans of the Grateful Dead.

Dave Simonett - guitar, vocals
Tim Saxhaug - bass, vocals
Dave Carroll - banjo, vocals
Erik Berry - mandolin, vocals
Ryan Young - fiddle

Trouble (BanjoDad Records, 2007) compare prices

Duluth (BanjoDad Records, 2008) compare prices)

Palomino (BanjoDad Records, 2010) compare prices

"Wait So Long" (from Palomino)
"Where Is My Mind" (single, released 2011)
"Blue Sky and the Devil" (from Blue Sky and the Devil)

Trampled by Turtles, for all intents and purposes, started as a bit of a side project. Many of the band's members were playing their primary gigs with various Minnesota-based rock bands and wanted to start an offshoot project that would basically just be a chance for them to jam on acoustic instruments. As it happened, though, the troupe quickly discovered their intense creative chemistry and set off on a road together which has spanned nearly a decade.

Formed in Duluth, Minnesota, Trampled by Turtles' earliest incarnation was focused on learning traditional songs and styles. They explored Appalachian fiddle tunes as well as old timey folk and bluegrass tunes. Having spent a good amount of time in other bands, the members decided they should start writing original songs on these fairly unfamiliar instruments - in these fairly unfamiliar styles. Frontman Dave Simonett decided to follow the long tradition of folk songwriters with using traditional melodies and styles, and updating them to current interests and ideas.

Sometime around 2004, Trampled by Turtles started to record and tour in support of its emerging style. According to their official bio on their website (written in the first person by Simonett), "As a band, we always felt we were able to attain an energy on stage that we struggled to find in the studio. It became our next creative goal to try to find that energy, or as close an approximation as we could get, while recording our next album, Duluth. We went to a studio in a remote area of northern Minnesota and tried our best to play like you were watching."

Indeed, Duluth proved to resonate with festival goers and long time fans the band had been accumulating for years on the folk, bluegrass, and Americana club circuit.

With Duluth in the bag, Trampled by Turtles has slowly but surely - and steadily - built a rather loyal cult following for themselves over the years, as they've become staples on the summer music festival circuit. They've played at many of the largest cross-genres festivals (Stagecoach, Coachella, Bumbershoot) as well as smaller indie gatherings like Pickathon, Newport, and the quite covetable stage at Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Since their full-length debut dropped in 2004, Trampled by Turtles have released a total of five albums, with a new disc titled Stars and Satellites due to hit stores and internet outlets in April 2012. To learn more about Trampled by Turtles and check their ongoing tour dates, visit TrampledByTurtles.com.