Turbo Suit has weathered a storm – a storm that many may not have survived. That storm was a name change from the dreaded / beloved Cosby Sweater to their new mark of class, Turbo Suit. And let it be known on record that if you don’t like the new name change David Embry, the group’s keyboardist and producer, has a few words for you. “It was something we had to do, and if you’re going to not like us because our name then don’t like us. Because we’re here to make music and that’s the main focus,” Embry said. We bring this message to you because Turbo Suit was kind enough to sit down (well, stand up) with yours truly at a recent show. We covered many bases, from the name change, to touring, and even getting drunk and burning stuff – you know, the usual things you talk about with musicians. Many of the most interesting nuggets unearthed were about this upcoming Summer Camp Music Festival. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAqTnbNOHSc So, what did we learn? Well, they’ll be bringing their North American Scum side project back to Summer Camp again this year (which we knew)… but with a twist – they’re going to expand beyond their LCD Soundsystem roots to cover another band (or several bands) but aren’t yet ready to reveal who. On the Turbo Suit front, members of Umphrey’s McGee, as well as ProbCause, will be joining them on stage at the festival this year… all promising collaborations I think most SCampers can look forward to. Bigger picture, you may be wondering what the new name (and new sound) really boil down to? More improvisation, heavier tones and drops, and a great deal more collaboration seemed to remedy the turbulence of their transition into their new name, and are the hallmarks of their new album “Out Here”. Don’t believe me? Give it a listen, and specifically pay attention to Hourglass and the drop around 4:40. The beat will punch you in the face while Nicholas Gerlach’s saxophone give the stars in your head something to dance to, metaphorically speaking of course. In all seriousness, the group has progressed in their tonality and harnessed a new direction that seems to be catapulting them into the festival hemisphere. This comes as no surprise to the fans of one of the biggest names in jam, Umphrey’s McGee, who have taken Turbo Suit under their wing – but it is a level of success that would have come to this band regardless because they encapsulate what it means to blur the lines of genre and musical demographics.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE MEMORIES. ONCE A SCAMPER, ALWAYS A SCAMPER
CONTINUE THE TRADITION WITH US AT SOLSHINE REVERIE. SAME TIME, SAME PLACE.
