The Taxi Project

From the day of their first show in October of 2008 on The Catalyst stage The Taxi Project has eagerly pushed the boundaries of their Santa Cruz hometown. Playing dozens of shows spanning the west coast The Taxi Project has shared the stage with national acts Tyrone Wells, The Dirty Heads and Iration. With shows at The Mint, Brixton South Bay, The Catalyst, The Saint Rocke and Moe's Alley, the band has also been interviewed and featured live on radio stations: KZOK (Seattle), KSCO (Bay Area), KPIG (Santa Cruz).

In May of 2009 The Taxi Project recorded their first EP "Never Speak" at world renowned Old Fire House Studios in Pasadena, CA. Produced by Jason T. Miller (Kanye West, Keyshia Cole) and engineered by Les Cooper (Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Ozbourne) the project set a high bar for the young band. The album featured drummer Bernie Galane (MI Instructor) and trumpet player Mitch Manker (Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan) and celebrates the musical maturity this band strives to offer in a power-chord driven market. During a 48 hour window, sandwiched between projects for Natalie Cole and Aretha Franklin, The Taxi Project captured the high-energy, fresh and soulful sound they have come to be known for.

Since the release of their EP the band has added many new songs to their set list. Running the gamut from R&B to dirty Louisiana rock the band plays to the strog-suits of it's members Josh Montoya (Vocals/Acoustic Guitar), Eric Thompson (Electric Guitar/MI Alumni), Justin Denewith (Bass), Kris DiNoto (Drums), Luke Ulavale (Keys), Taylor Herhusky (Sax), and Nick Bianchini (Trumpet). Central to the bands identity is a love for music's ability to unify people and celebrate their diversity, hence the name The Taxi Project.