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MINGO FISHTRAP
With a sound dancing between gutbucket soul, N'awlins grit-down funk and horn fueled Motown pop, Mingo Fishtrap is an anomaly in the contemporary music scene. With each album, the group gravitates closer to the classic sounds that inspired them to learn their craft. What's old is new again; with young audiences flocking to see a live show that lays its musical roots more in 1967 than 2007. And that's just fine with bandleader Roger Blevins, Jr.
"Blues, soul and R&B is the common denominator of pop music. People around the world know that sound- Chess, Stax, Motown, Muscle Shoals - as part of the soundtrack to their lives. I grew up listening to Pops (Blevins' father and Mingo's bassist, Roger, Sr.) play those tunes to every age, race, color and creed. And from what we see, at least, people still need it."
Mingo Fishtrap traces its beginnings to the mid 90s when Blevins and another five of the group's eight members were attending the University of North Texas' Jazz Studies program. Originally derived as a loose, after-class jam, Mingo covered songs from Otis Redding, Tower of Power, the Neville Brothers and other soul and funk masters with no particular professional ambition.
"Obviously, there wasn't a lot of classic soul being played around campus," says Blevins. "People around the dorms just took to it and the ball started rolling. We were good friends playing music we loved; that's a good recipe."
And it's that same delicious soul food that Mingo cooks up today. With an inspired, high-energy live show, they engage the audience - persuade them to, sometimes literally, join the band inside the music. With a new live concert DVD, Mingo Fishtrap, Live at the Granada, adding to their catalog of CD releases, Mingo captures a musical conversation, which speaks with reverence about the past and with hope about the future.
Through their time together on the road, Mingo Fishtrap has performed on bills with a wide range of artists: Sting, Blues Traveler, Ozomatli, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Little Feat and Jonny Lang among others.
Mingo is currently touring and recording for a new CD release.
Press Release, April 2007
While in past years being recognized by the 2003 Austin Music Awards as Austins best Jam band. Mingo Fishtrap constantly strives to push the envelope of what popular music can be. In 2002/2001 they were recognized as Austins best funk band, while at the same time receiving exceedingly high placings in many categories.
The Mingo Story:-
The highly seasoned and finely tuned professionals heard today had a somewhat inauspicious inception.
The core of the band began in the early 90's when a group of students in the prestigious Jazz program at the University of North Texas formed as a "jam band," to compete in a contest hosted by the dorm in which they were living. Needing something to call themselves, they deftly remembered the name of an intersection in Denton, Texas where front man Roger Blevins Jr. unfortunately had some car difficulties (broke down). The name seemed memorable to said members after suffering through many of his now legendary rants on the topic. It is amazing what drinks and desperation will produce.
The audience response to initial live shows served as the catalyst for a more concerted musical effort. What began as a one shot deal turned into something much more. In a remarkably short amount of time, hard work and word of mouth resulted in capacity shows regionally. People just could not get enough of good thing. Not only did the people dance and sing through sweaty set after set, they smiled. They were getting the first tastes what this band served up night after night: soul food in every connotation of the word. These inaugural offerings can be heard Mingo's first CD, Succotash.
More than a decade later Mingo Fishtrap has further solidified into a musical powerhouse, combining well crafted, catchy songs and a high energy, impressive live show. With the release of their second CD "From The Private Bag", Mingo continues their musical journey with style and confidence. Rumors have it they are working on a DVD as their next release to capture that "live show" feel in the confines of your own home. More importantly, the people seem to still be dancing, singing and smiling with every musical soul food serving. Keep your browser tuned to cdbaby.
The Mingo Sound:-
Mingo takes melodic pop songs reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, Dr. John and Little Feat to name a few, and serves them up in tight horn-fueled arrangements with a healthy pinch of raw, N'awlins style funky stuff.
Voted Austins "Best funk band" 2002 Austin Music Awards
Voted Austins "Best Horn Section" 2002
Austin Music Awards
Voted Austins "Best Keyboard Player" 2002
Austin Music Awards
Voted Austins "Best funk band" 2001 Austin Music Awards
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