Trampled By Turtles
Trampled by Turtles are a folk band that looks like a bluegrass band, sounds like an Americana band, and sometimes plays as fast as a punk band. No matter the genre, they play it well. Blending bluegrass with rock & roll, TBT draw their energy not from loud guitars or heavy beats, but from intricate picking, thoughtful arrangements, and reflective melodies. Their genre-defying sound continues to push the boundaries of bluegrass and rock, proving that great music doesn't have to fit neatly into any one box.
Their crossover appeal has earned them the #1 spot on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart with every album release, while also taking them to major festival stages such as Coachella, Stagecoach, ACL, and Lollapalooza. Tours alongside a diverse range of artists, including Shakey Graves, Turnpike Troubadours, Zach Bryan, Wilco, Caamp, Mt. Joy, Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, and Lord Huron, have further expanded their reach and built a loyal fanbase.
Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, Trampled by Turtles were formed in 2003 as a side project by frontman Dave Simonett. At the time, Simonett had lost most of his music gear after a group of enterprising car thieves ransacked his vehicle while he was performing with his previous band. Left with little more than an acoustic guitar, he began assembling a new group, drawing inspiration from bluegrass, folk, and other genres that didn't rely on amplification.
Simonett had never played bluegrass before and recruited fellow newcomers to the genre, including fiddler Ryan Young, who had previously played drums in a speed metal band, and bassist Tim Saxhaug. Alongside mandolinist Erik Berry, cellist Eamonn Mclain and banjo player Dave Carroll, the group began forging a fast, frenetic sound that owed as much to rock & roll as it did to traditional bluegrass.
“While Wilco broke new ground for rock and country music in its own ways and means, Trampled is clearing new trails for acoustic and roots acts, redefining the sonics of the string-music world.” — Rolling Stone
Follow Trampled by Turtles: Website - https://trampledbyturtles.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tbtduluth TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtduluth Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/trampledbyturtles