Music
Press
Sometimes the grooviest things hide in plain sight. Pigeonholed as a jam band some time ago, Blue Turtle Seduction is actually a first order 21st century party band, drawing heavily from the undulating slink of The Clash, the grinning hop of Outkast and the whiskey spilling acoustic rock of The Pogues. Anchored to interlocked vocals and a buoyant sway, 13 Floors is a good time, plain and simple, and a finely crafted studio effort that hints at their true depths.
Positively possessed with imparting an enjoyable experience, it's easy to miss the sharper, more angular elements in Blue Turtle. For the longest time I thought they had no darkness, all sunshine and skipping, but spend time with "Rome" or "Stop Drop And Roll" and you pick up on some quality post-millennial tension, genuine apprehension about the shit storm on humanity's horizon. That they encase these shadowy thoughts in pleasant casings is a neat trick. It's easy to be mopey; writing an effective sad song is shooting fish in a barrel. If you can slip a spot of observant blackness past folks with a lil' candy coating then the medicine might actually go down. There's a pleasant duality to 13 Floors, where serious guys make fun music that doesn't sacrifice lyrical substance for all its basic enjoy ability.
The mixture of folksy instrumentation (fiddle, mandolin, harmonica) with a muscled up rhythm section and sinewy, barbed electric guitar recalls the early '70s heyday of British folk-rock given a post hip-hop twist. Their harmonies echo the '60s Greenwich Village folk scene punctured by an MC's staccato cadence. It is their own hybrid, and as such it feels a little alien the first few times you encounter it. That said, over time one begins to appreciate that BTS is breaking new ground, and at the very least deserves credit for being one of the few bands on the touring circuit that gives strong attention to their vocals.
Standouts include "Foot By Foot" (a lively journey into many strange canyons of the heart), "Castaway" (an island accented variation on a stew pot of traditional folk imagery), "Rome" (a fiddlin' dance number for the end of empires), "El Camino" (a rousing weirdo's reel that feels like running down a hill with a drink in your hand), "Perfect Gentlemen" (a nifty cover of Wycleff Jean's stripper ditty) and 13-minute closer "Roses > Big Belt Buckle" (a jam vehicle lit with mirror ball lights, John Williams quotations and blues-rock chug that ends with a "Middle Earth Jam" that's pretty amusing). Sink into this music over the course of a whole album and you discover a band making their own sound. It's hard to draw exact parallels and isn't that really what we want from any band, a unique form of artistic expression? Blue Turtle Seduction has found their voice and this release only makes one genuinely curious about the fine outbursts to come. - Dennis Cook, Jambase
Discography
3 albums in our discography: "13 Floors", "Deep Sea Rodeo," and "UnderSierraGround"
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Bio
The fresh musical movement known as Blue Turtle Seduction is a two-fold sonic experience. Both musically and socially aware, the five-piece rock / bluegrass / reggae / hip-hop hybrid creates music that defies classification. Embodying the essence of South Lake Tahoe, CA, Blue Turtle Seduction captures the upbeat, party vibe and jovial ambiance of their hometown. On the strength of their latest release, 13 Floors, BTS is proving themselves to be a mainstay on the musical circuit for years to come.
Featuring Jay Seals (guitar, vocals), Glenn Stewart (harmonica, pan flute, vocals), Christian Zupancic (violin, mandolin, vocals), Stephen Seals (bass), and Adam Navone (drums), the quintet crossed paths while working at a conference resort in the Tahoe Desolation Wilderness Area. The five distinctly unique individuals comprise the Blue Turtle Seduction sound, integrating their worldly flair with their love of all things music. From classical to rock, their refined and dynamic sound has been capturing audiences on a nightly basis.
13 Floors is loaded with trademark Blue Turtle Seduction. Capturing the diversity of the band in fluid stages, the latest release showcases music with purpose. The lyrics and melodies are infused with revelry and the harmonies encourage whole-hearted sing-a-longs. Melodic guitar leads complement the layers of strings and woodwind textures. The rhythm section is groovy and as tight as a snare drum, inevitably leading to a full-fledged dance party. “With each track, the elevator shifts to the side, up, or down, into a slightly different style. But it's all woven together within the Blue Turtle Seduction building; unmistakably us, and an authentic representation of our California blend,” says Zupancic. Blue Turtle Seduction’s musicianship is second to none and shines through the interplay between the five multi-talented instrumentalists.
In addition to their musical contributions, Blue Turtle Seduction is also involved in several environmental and social organizations as well. Known for their involvement and contributions to many non-profit organizations, BTS is committed to making a difference on all levels. Their tour bus has been converted to run on straight vegetable oil and the 13 Floors release is packaged in all sustainable and biodegradable materials, proving BTS as a leader amongst environmentally conscious artists on the road today.
Already making waves, Blue Turtle Seduction has gigantic plans for 2009. Committed to promoting 13 Floors and bringing the BTS vibe to the masses,
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