This week we are talking with Wooster, one of our SB7 artists who are local to the Bay Area. They colorfully describe their music as:
“a winning amalgam of blues, soul and reggae anchored by grooves played by crack players who know their way around some elastic funk.”
The big Wooster news this week is their new album release (available in the iTunes Store) and the events in the Bay Area to celebrate! This past weekend, they played a sold-out show in Santa Cruz which was a huge success.
Tonight they will be in San Francisco at The Boom Boom Room with local SF band The Neckbeard Boys and other local Santa Cruz band Vendredi.
On Saturday night they will be at the Frog & Peach in San Luis Obispo which will be turned into the “Frog & Easy” for a speakeasy themed night of pre-halloween fun.
Described by various music critics as “smoldering,” “top-notch,” “one-of-a-kind,” “addictive” and “like a breath of fresh air,” the Wooster sound is a party-ready mix of California reggae and Aretha Franklin-esque soul, spiced up with hints of Motown, surf, Latin rock, funk and hip-hop. Listen closely, and you might detect a little Chili Peppers swagger, a little Dave Matthews bounce or a little Led Zep muscle. The end result? Think Sublime after anger management, or No Doubt on soul serum.
Just in time for their SF gig, guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Brian Gallagher answered some questions about the band and their experiences.
What are some different types of venues/situations where you would feel really good and excited about playing?
Sold out show in Santa Cruz with all our friends and family raging and singing along. Huge festival stage with a bunch of hippies rolling in the mud. International show in the pacific islands with thousands of people treating us like famous rockstars. ( all these things happened in the last week )
How are you different from other artists in your genre?
Our music gets through to people of all ages from every different walk of life. I’m amazed that we can play sweaty rock clubs with a bunch of crazy twenty something year olds, and then we can play a town hall function for all their parents the next day. People identify with the music on so many different levels. As far as genre and sound, there’s a little piece of everything in there. Lastly I’d have to say we are very dynamic. We play loud and passionately and then we can bring it down and pull people in with softer more intimate moments as well.
What is a source of inspiration when you are feeling stuck on something?
all the other bands we’ve met on the road. They all do something amazing and a little different than the last band. The freshness of other bands makes me wanna work harder myself.
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Starting this band. Every time we go on the road or get on a plane and drive/fly thousands of miles to play our music it is a huge risk. But it’s exciting. It is the hardest most challenging and incredibly rewarding job I’ve ever had.