Show Review:: Tauk 4/11

Tauk & Mr. F
Red Square – Albany, NY
Friday, April 11^th 2014

Capturing an audience’s attention can be a difficult task, especially for an opener. Because it’s usually a safe bet to say that the crowd isn’t there for you, and you’re standing in between them and the band they came to see. When you combine this with a small stage in the back of a bar and a late show, it could be a potential disaster. Potential.

Or, for Tauk, it could be a wild success, and another notch in their growing popularity.

Opening for Mr. F, who were releasing their newest record that night, Tauk set the pace of the night wonderfully. Whether those in attendance had heard of the group before or not (or were aware of their lack of vocals or not), it didn’t take long for them to become fans. The small-capacity room became steadily packed, nearly filling up by their set’s halfway point.

Like I said before, sometimes it can be hard to gather a room’s attention. But if you have some catchy lyrics that can be learned quickly, the crowd can join in on a chorus or two. However, as an instrumental band, the guys in Tauk don’t have that luxury.

Then again, based on crowd reactions and the feel of the room, the New York quartet didn’t seem too concerned. During their forty minutes on stage, the group rumbled through a near-endless set, picking up steam the entire way and coming to a close on the receiving end of roars of applause.

Friday’s show was one that I nearly had to miss due to a scheduling conflict. But, when some things fell through, my night opened up. And with that, I was lucky enough to watch a band that is doing some seriously great things. With their unique blend of pop, jazz, funk, and old rock n’ roll, Tauk has created their own brand of musical fusion that shouldn’t be missed.

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Photos and written by Eric Riley

Interview:: Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why

Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do in the band!

My name is Quincy Mumford, I am the front man, lead singer, and rhythm guitar player in Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why.

The new album, Its Only Change, is simply phenomenal. It displays the perfect mix of genres from funk to rock to soul to reggae to jazz and it’s all just very captivating. At the same time, it’s almost daring to mix so many genres into one album. What inspired you to create an album like this?

I listen to so many different types of music that it just come natural to write in many different ways. I don’t say to myself, ok today im going to write a funk song, or a ballad… Whatever I feel, is what I write. So in many ways these mix of genres, are not intentional.

When listening to Its Only Change, you can instantly sense a mix of emotions that was put into this album. Which song is the most personal to you and can you explain the meaning behind it?

Probably the song, “Eventually”. It comes from a place of struggle but also hope. The song is about having the weight of life on your shoulders, and stress weighing you down, but realizing that life is but a journey, you must keep on keepin on and you will get there eventually. Playing that song always puts a smile on my face. 

You’ve played over 400 shows since starting Quincy Mumford and The Reason Why. If you could choose one as the most memorable, which would it be and why?

That’s a hard one! There have been so many! Recently…we played a festival in CT called “Blues on The Beach”. There were at least 5000 people on the beach dancing like crazy. We were on a huge awesome stage, with killer lights, and totally nailed our set!

In May of last year, you released your first live album. Did you find it difficult or challenging to record a live album versus recording in a studio? And would you do it again if you could?

With a live album, you only have one chance to make it right. There are no “do overs”. We had to practice non-stop to create a killer liveshow. We performed 3 shows over 2 days and picked the best songs from each show. Even though we recorded in a studio for the latest record, it was pretty similar to the live one, in the sense that we only had 10 days to create it. Such a short amount of time to get everything just right. I would do another live album in a minute. I had a blast making it!

If Quincy Mumford and The Reason Why could create a dream tour, who would be on it and what would it be called?

Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why / Ryan Montbleau Band / Soulive / D’ Angelo …. It would be called Soul Cruise!

You’ve been a band for over 5 years now. What are some life lessons you’ve learned from both being in a band and being on the road?

There are a lot of life lessons to be learned like…Make sure you always have your luggage with you, because you never know when your going to be stranded with your van broken down 150 miles away. Also, to give back and pay it forward because you never know when you will need a helping hand. There have been number of times when we have needed a place to stay because we could not afford a hotel room, and kind people that enjoy our music, complete strangers have put us up for the night. Be kind, be positive, live to love, and respect each other!

It seems that with every new album that you put out, you create a challenge for yourself. With this album, I think it’s the mixed amount of genres and instruments used to create your sound. Are you currently working on new music with a new challenge for yourself?

Always! haha.. We just recently recorded live in the studio with a studio audience, doing new and old songs, all with acoustic arrangements. Not sure when or how we are going to put it out, but we love to have options and new music to sell or give away!

What do you hope your fans walk away with after listening to Quincy Mumford and The Reason Why?

I hope they walk away feeling liberated, understood, and lifted.

What can we expect next from Quincy Mumford and The Reason Why?

Lots of touring, new music, and new videos! stay tuned!

Come out and see us live for the full experience! We promise you will not regret it!