In the verdant embrace of Bayfront Festival Park, the renowned ensemble Trampled by Turtles is slated for a grand homecoming on the sixth of July, with Houndmouth set to share the stage. This notable event marks a return to their roots for the band, which hails from the picturesque town of Duluth, Minnesota. It was in this town that Dave Simonett, driven by a burst of creative energy and a twist of fate, founded Trampled by Turtles back in 2003, envisioning it as a creative side endeavor.
Simonett’s musical apparatus
The inception of the band was shadowed by a challenging episode; a cadre of audacious car thieves absconded with Simonett’s musical apparatus, leaving him with nothing but an acoustic guitar. This unfortunate turn of events, however, led to a silver lining. With his remaining instrument, Simonett embarked on forming a new band. Unlike his previous ventures, this project was imbued with the rustic allure of bluegrass and folk music, alongside other genres that eschewed electronic amplification. This direction was not only a departure from Simonett’s usual musical pursuits but also a step into a genre he, along with his new bandmates, had barely explored.
The lineup he assembled was a mosaic of musical backgrounds, united by their newfound interest in bluegrass. Ryan Young, who joined as the fiddler, brought an unconventional edge from his days drumming in a speed metal band. Tim Saxhaug, taking on the bass, added another layer to the band’s eclectic mix. They were further complemented by Erik Berry on the mandolin and Dave Carroll with the banjo. This diverse assembly of musicians began to shape a distinct sound that straddled the energetic realms of rock & roll and the traditional cadences of bluegrass. Their fusion created a dynamic and frenetic sound, a testament to their varied musical origins and a shared passion for exploring new sonic territories.
Event Details
- When: July 6
- Doors Open: 4:30 pm;
- Show Starts: 6:00 pm.
- Where: Bayfront Festival Park, a locale as rich in natural beauty as it is in cultural significance to the band and their fans.
This event not only serves as a homecoming for Trampled by Turtles but also as a celebration of their journey from modest beginnings to becoming torchbearers of a genre that weaves together the threads of rock, bluegrass, and folk music into a vibrant tapestry of sound.