Ample Time

To describe what This Side Up does musically, it might be best to describe what they don’t do. The improvisational trio does not use a set-list, vocals, or lyrics but is able to create a free flowing sound that thrives in the live moment. With Adam Kelly on keys, Cody Ruth on bass, and Dusty Parker on drums, This Side Up does play a fusion of jazz, funk, and rock but “never plays the same show twice.” Catch them performing this Saturday July 25 at Bennies Boom Boom Room.

Cody, how did This Side Up come to be?
Cody Ruth: It started when Bennies Boom Boom Room, a local venue, hosted a free jam session and we were the rhythm section. We liked improvising and making things up together, but when you get more than three or four people on a stage, it gets a little messy. So we decided to just cut it down to us three.

Adam, how would each of you describe the music of This Side Up?
Adam Kelly: It’s pretty much an improvisational trio. It’s very exploratory music. It has some foundation in jazz and funk but I wouldn’t say it’s directly jazz or funk. I guess more often than not, it’s like a funky rock trio.

How do the songs develop onstage?
CR: We usually decide what key we’re going to start in by making eye contact or just figuring it out. We rarely start all together, so maybe Dusty will start with a groove and then I’ll start with a baseline and then Adam will come in.
AK: You can get pretty far by just playing by ear, but if you want to keep it interesting, we take that and try to feel out a change that would seem natural. Somebody will be at one of our shows and be like, “I heard you play that the other night,” and that will be the night that we just made it up on the spot.
CR: Most of our songs are named retroactively… (laughter)

How does the absence of lyrics affect your style of music?
CR: I think lyrics would cheapen what we do. I’ve personally never enjoyed lyrics. If I like a singer, it’s because I like the melody that he sings the lyrics to.
AK: Most of my favorite bands have to do with musical structure and the dynamic of their instrumentation. I’m not opposed to lyrics, but with this particular band, there is so much improvisation involved, to have lyrics you have to limit yourself to a structure.

If you were to ever be stranded on the moon and you could only have one album…?
CR: I would rather opt to not have any albums rather than to have just one album. But maybe The Band Greatest Hits or something.
AK: I’ve always enjoyed Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief, but I would probably rather have my instrument than an album.

Either dead or living, who would you like to ride the river with?
CR: My brother. I don’t think I would want to ride in a canoe with just some random person that I don’t know really well.
AK: Someone that I have a good personal relationship with - my wife or daughter.

Sam would love to ride the river with you. To reserve a seat in his canoe, contact him at sam@bluehealermusic.com. - Sam Miller

Tonight you have the last chance to see the fantastic bassist Cody Ruth in town. His “going-away” party is a chance to see the man who can play refined jazz chords and raucous rock n’roll in three different incarnations at the Thirsty Hippo. Ruth will be playing with Brian Nobles and Rob Cater, the Above Ground Pool Boys with Joel and Judson Vance and tearing up the bluegrass with the White Trash Boys featuring J.T.Lack. Our loss is Nashville’s gain and we all sincerely wish him the very best.

[T-BONES]: You play everything jazz, bluegrass, rock n’roll, blues. What was the seed for your interest in music? What keeps you interested in it and expanding your horizons?

[CODY RUTH]: The seed for my interest in music, especially roots music would be my father, Euphus Ruth. He introduced me to the Delta Blues at an early age. Being from the Delta I was able to see a lot of the living legends in the area and even play with some of them (I especially liked playing with T-Model Ford). I stay interested in music because its fun!!! and I find new music because of the people I’m around.

[T-BONES]: Living in Hattiesburg for the past few years, you’ve played with everyone in town. Who are some of your faves and why?

[CR]: Well I don’t play with people I don’t like playing with for long… So I really like everyone I play with currently, but I will list them in no particular order: Adam Kelly, Jaime Jimenez, Dr. E, Meghan Stewart, Daniel Schroeder, Brian Nobles, Judson & Joel Vance, J.T. Lack (who got me into bluegrass), Rob Cater, Drew Wooton, and Brandt Parks.

[T-BONES]: Is there anyone that you always wanted to play with but never got the chance?

[CR]: Well I’ve gotten to play with him…but never a whole gig. Alvin Youngblood Hart

[T-BONES]: As you look back at scaling this ladder in town and collecting this experience, what are some of the most important lessons you learned?

[CR]: I’ve learned that is not always how good you are or how many notes you can play that gets you popular in the musical community. The most important thing is being able to get along with anybody (at least until the end of the gig). I’ve known too many bassists who were technically way better than me, but never played with nearly as many people as me because people didn’t like being around them. When picking out a band member you have to pick someone you wouldn’t mind being in a van with for a month….

[T-BONES]: What awaits you in Nashville?

[CR]: The Jake Leg Stompers, Alex Connerly, LOTS OF NETWORKING, writing a teaching book, recording a solo cd, road biking, and a hot tub!!!!

[T-BONES]: Again drawing in your wealth of musical experience, who are your primary influences?

[CR]: The main bass influences of mine are: Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorius, George Porter Jr., Bootsy Collins, Milt Hinton, Edgar Meyer and of course my bass teacher Dr. Marcos Machado!!

[T-BONES]: When you listen to good music, for you – what sets it apart from everything else out there?

[CR]: Good music makes me happy, so bad music makes me angry or sad… therefore I do not listen to any metal in which some punk with a daddy is trying to sound like the Antichrist. I have the argument that SOME rap is not only bad music but actually not music at all….Merely auditory entertainment….think about it NO MELODY!!
- mik davis

Tonight you have the last chance to see the fantastic bassist Cody Ruth in town. His “going-away” party is a chance to see the man who can play refined jazz chords and raucous rock n’roll in three different incarnations at the Thirsty Hippo. Ruth will be playing with Brian Nobles and Rob Cater, the Above Ground Pool Boys with Joel and Judson Vance and tearing up the bluegrass with the White Trash Boys featuring J.T.Lack. Our loss is Nashville’s gain and we all sincerely wish him the very best.

[T-BONES]: You play everything jazz, bluegrass, rock n’roll, blues. What was the seed for your interest in music? What keeps you interested in it and expanding your horizons?

[CODY RUTH]: The seed for my interest in music, especially roots music would be my father, Euphus Ruth. He introduced me to the Delta Blues at an early age. Being from the Delta I was able to see a lot of the living legends in the area and even play with some of them (I especially liked playing with T-Model Ford). I stay interested in music because its fun!!! and I find new music because of the people I’m around.

[T-BONES]: Living in Hattiesburg for the past few years, you’ve played with everyone in town. Who are some of your faves and why?

[CR]: Well I don’t play with people I don’t like playing with for long… So I really like everyone I play with currently, but I will list them in no particular order: Adam Kelly, Jaime Jimenez, Dr. E, Meghan Stewart, Daniel Schroeder, Brian Nobles, Judson & Joel Vance, J.T. Lack (who got me into bluegrass), Rob Cater, Drew Wooton, and Brandt Parks.

[T-BONES]: Is there anyone that you always wanted to play with but never got the chance?

[CR]: Well I’ve gotten to play with him…but never a whole gig. Alvin Youngblood Hart

[T-BONES]: As you look back at scaling this ladder in town and collecting this experience, what are some of the most important lessons you learned?

[CR]: I’ve learned that is not always how good you are or how many notes you can play that gets you popular in the musical community. The most important thing is being able to get along with anybody (at least until the end of the gig). I’ve known too many bassists who were technically way better than me, but never played with nearly as many people as me because people didn’t like being around them. When picking out a band member you have to pick someone you wouldn’t mind being in a van with for a month….

[T-BONES]: What awaits you in Nashville?

[CR]: The Jake Leg Stompers, Alex Connerly, LOTS OF NETWORKING, writing a teaching book, recording a solo cd, road biking, and a hot tub!!!!

[T-BONES]: Again drawing in your wealth of musical experience, who are your primary influences?

[CR]: The main bass influences of mine are: Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorius, George Porter Jr., Bootsy Collins, Milt Hinton, Edgar Meyer and of course my bass teacher Dr. Marcos Machado!!

[T-BONES]: When you listen to good music, for you – what sets it apart from everything else out there?

[CR]: Good music makes me happy, so bad music makes me angry or sad… therefore I do not listen to any metal in which some punk with a daddy is trying to sound like the Antichrist. I have the argument that SOME rap is not only bad music but actually not music at all….Merely auditory entertainment….think about it NO MELODY!!
- http://www.tbonescafe.com/?p=14194