In September, Turkuaz welcomed their fifth studio effort, Life In The City, a nine-track LP inclusive of singles “Superstatic,” “If I Ever Fall Asleep” and the sensational title track, “Life In The City.” Given that the recording process spanned from 2016 to 2018, it comes as no surprise there are additional tracks to share from the same time period. Today, Turkuaz has announced the Afterlife EP pair, with Vol. 1 available now: http://smarturl.it/yec5d9. A second volume can be expected later this summer.
On each of the EPs, fans can expect mostly brand new material, as well as studio recordings of live show favorites, and even some demo versions of familiar songs. Afterlife Vol. 1 includes a stripped-down original demo of the standalone single (which was written and recorded during the same timespan), “On The Run.”
“The process of making the record truly started back when making demos at my apartment,” shares Turkuaz frontman, Dave Brandwein. “I was between studios and took it as an opportunity to start writing. I put together the demo for ‘On the Run’ one night while sitting in my room, layering parts on synths and guitars. Determined not to use the drum machine sequence I made, we went to a studio to record Mikey [Carubba]’s drums and some percussion from Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note).”
Several months later, the track was revisited with producer Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), and many layers were added as the song evolved into what became the final version of “On The Run.”
“Take it Slow” and “Gogo Mr. Dodo” are two fan-favorites from the band’s live rotation to make it onto Afterlife Vol 1. Brandwein offered some insight on their evolution: “Both songs started as demos by Craig Brodhead (guitar/keys), which I wrote the lyrics and melody over. In both cases, I knew that I was not the one who should sing these songs. Josh [Schwartz, saxophone] and Shira [Elias, vocals] respectively embody the vibe of these tunes so well and make them completely their own, so their voices are featured on the tracks.”
The entire experience of writing and recording this record (and now, the pair of EPs) was, as Brandwein puts it, “a process of experimenting and trying different things to see which fit best.”
Of the songs on Afterlife Vol. 1, two have never been heard before – “Roll Away,” based on a groove that bassist Taylor Shell created, and “Mojo Filter,” a “jam” created during a sporadic basement set in the wake of a canceled festival set, brought back to life and fleshed out for the record at Brodhead’s request.
Turkuaz has many upcoming performances scheduled throughout the country this summer including an appearance at BottleRock and a performance at Red Rocks Ampitheatre alongside Umphrey’s McGee. Recently added dates include the band’s first journey to Japan for a two-night stint at Blue Note in Tokyo, and a debut appearance in Australia at Caloundra Music Festival this October. Come 2020, Turkuaz returns to everyone’s favorite festival-at-sea, Jam Cruise.
Find a full list of upcoming dates below and head over to the band’s website for tickets and more info on specific dates: turkuazband.com.
TURKUAZ
Upcoming Tour Dates
5/23 – Martinsville, VA – Rooster Walk 11 Music & Arts Festival
5/26 – Napa, CA – BottleRock
6/1 – Newport, ME – Branch Fest
6/22 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre !
6/26 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
6/28 – Bozeman, MT – Rialto Theatre
6/29 – Missoula, MT – Top Hat Lounge
7/4 – Sandpoint, ID – The Hive
7/5 & 7/6 – Whitefish, MT – The Remington Bar
7/13 – Snowshoe, WV – 4848 Festival
7/26 & 7/27 – Burlington, VT – Tumble Down
8/1 – 8/4 – Thornville, OH – The Werk Out
8/9 – 8/11 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Jazz Festival
8/17 – Cockeysville, MD – Hot August Music Festival
8/23 & 8/24 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Druid City Music Festival
9/1 – Aspen, CO – Jazz Aspen @ Snowmass
9/20 – 9/22 – Felton, CA – Mountain Sol Fest
9/29 & 9/30 – Tokyo, Japan – Blue Note Tokyo
10/4 – 10/6 – Caloundra Music Festival – Kings Beach, Australia
1/7 – 1/12 – Miami, FL – Jam Cruise
! w/ Umphrey’s McGee
