The Yes Team
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The Yes Team

San Diego, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF

San Diego, California, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2010
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"We Sing for Bling"

The first time I hear the Yes Team perform, I’m at the Encinitas Station Farmers Market. The Yes Team is a folk group composed of three musicians; two guys — TJ Moss and Jonathan Walsh — and one girl, Kinnie Dye. Halfway through their third song, they’re interrupted by a passing trolley, their voices drowned out. Kinnie laughs. The three pause to let the trolley pass.

The crowd consists mostly of toddlers whose eager parents snap photos while their children dance. A boy wearing only a diaper shakes his booty for a two-song set. A little girl in a purple tank top knows all the words. Another toddler with curly blond hair runs up to Kinnie, Jonathan, and TJ. She hugs all three.

“I’m getting so big!” she proclaims.

The band hands out Easter egg–shaped shakers to the crowd of children. They play “Rockin’ Robin,” “Country Roads,” “Africa” (by Toto), and a handful of Yes Team’s original music. From time to time, people bend down and deposit dollar bills in the tip basket.

TJ tells me, “We’ve gotten things like guitar strings, cases of beer, and hippie tips [weed] in our tip jar.”

When I ask if kids are their usual fans, Jonathan shrugs. “Kids are drawn to our music. It used to be really distracting. They don’t keep rhythm with their shakers. It used to drive me crazy. But I love it now. Children have great energy.”

Three hours prior to the market gig, I met them at Jeremy Miller’s house. Miller is engineering the Yes Team’s new CD, Life Is Good. Kinnie and Jonathan are outside loading their van for the market when I pull up. Kinnie smiles. Jonathan waves. They take me around the back of the house, through a screen door, and into what appears to be Jeremy’s bedroom. Two surfboards, a bike without wheels, and sunset posters serve as decor.

TJ is sitting on a computer chair. He greets us with high-fives. “Do you want to hear what I’ve been working on?”

“We’ve got about five minutes before we need to leave,” Kinnie says.

TJ has spent the day mixing their new CD. “It’s my favorite part of this whole thing,” he says. “I love getting a crisp studio recording and making the album.”

I sit down to listen. Everyone else stands. They tap their feet and sway to the sound of their own voices. TJ smiles proudly. When it’s over, they all talk at once, each offering praise and advice.

On the drive up to the market, I’m offered shotgun in Purple Reign, the band’s 1998 Dodge Ram van. They purchased it on Craigslist for $1600 in December 2010, while living in Manhattan.

“Five years ago, while we were all living in New York, San Diego popped into my mind,” TJ says. “‘San Diego 2010’ became my mantra.”

At the time, Kinnie was a bartender at a swanky place on Fifth Avenue, TJ was working for a catering company, and Jonathan was a singing waiter in Times Square.

“When Kinney and TJ asked if I wanted to come to San Diego, I was still going to Broadway auditions,” Jonathan recalls. “I’d spent nine years hearing ‘No,’ with an occasional ‘Yes.’ I heard the words ‘San Diego, California,’ and I said, ‘Yes!’ I thought, This island has held me captive for too long.”

The three set off from Manhattan on January 4, 2011. Their van broke down just past the “Welcome to California” sign. Their first night in the state was spent sleeping in the parking lot of the auto-repair shop.

“We bought a bottle of wine and watched The Big Lebowski in our van,” Kinnie says.

The first time the Yes Team performed together was two nights later. They played an open-mic night at Rebecca’s Coffeehouse in South Park.

“Three months went by and we were still here,” says Kinnie. “We were only supposed to be here for eight weeks. That’s all the money we had.”

Busking became the group’s livelihood. Jonathan says, “It put gas in our van and food in our stomachs.”

“We lived off the kindness of strangers,” Kinnie says. “We slept on people’s couches for three months. We were lucky if we made $75–$100 for three hours [of street performing]. On an average day, we made $40 to split between the three of us. We played mostly O.B., P.B., and sometimes La Jolla.”

The Yes team has had many interesting moments while busking. They endured a busking war with another street performer in P.B. over a prime boardwalk location. Homeless people have inserted themselves into the group’s performances. Law enforcement has asked them to leave for not having a permit.

“One time we were in P.B.,” Jonathan says, “and a family sat down and watched us. Afterwards, they came up to me and said, ‘Were you in New York back in December, waiting tables in Times Square?’

“I said, ‘Yes,” and they said, ‘You were our server!’ I’d gone from wearing a sparkly bowling shirt, standing on top of chairs singing ‘Earth Angel’ to being on the beach wearing cutoff shorts and busking. They were, like, ‘You’ve made it!’” Jonathan laughs.

After three months in San Diego, the band was exhausted. In March 2011, they decided to head back to NYC. They continued to play together but decided to get “real jobs” to save up in order to move back to San Diego and rent an apartment — they never wanted to couch-surf again. Jonathan returned to his singing-waiter gig, TJ worked for a catering company, and Kinnie was a swim instructor.

Follow this link to read on... http://goo.gl/DX8jqF - The Reader


"Music Review: The Yes Team - Their Community Impact"

One of the most interesting aspects of the "starving artist" is their connection and their kinship to one another within a community...and their acceptance of the homeless. In the past couple of weeks; I have had the privilege to watch a 3-man band - The Yes Team, not only play incredible music at Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach - but I have also observed how intentionally they reach out to transient admirers.

The Yes Team drove to San Diego from New York this winter. Their purple van is a stimulant in their adventure. And as they pursue fans and friends, they hope to spread a little peace and love --through their music. Jonathan Walsh, Kinnie Dye and TJ Moss make up the band. Their harmony is addictive to listen to. Their passion illimunates their voices. Their tunes are induced with dream-intense lyrics. Combine that...with a folk beat, a touch of reggae ~ and you'll want grab onto more.

By day; the group relies on the sun to make a little extra dough- and by night- they take on bars or cafe open-mic nights. But what strikes me is how many of the community's homeless population are falling love with a new generation of "hipsters." They touch the ones that have a taste of their life - one that magnifies "survival of the fittest."

Recently, in Ocean Beach, Captain Billy Bob, as he introduced himself spent well over an hour with the band. And though intoxicated - he felt moved and made an attempt to sing with them. Later - he even felt compelled to buy new strings for his guitar - which didn't have any. He explained that he had once been a fishing Captain and now that he faces troubles in life he likes to play music - a little calm in his storm.

Oba, a skilled guitarist, played along with them in Pacific Beach - added to their melody with a little soul and even talked them into playing free-style..which by the way - they're gifted. Kenny - though I don't believe him to be homeless - was a very skilled musician on the mandolin - and enhanced their harmonies. I think even The Yes Team couldn't help but to be awed by his talent.

But each time I've seen them - no matter who their audience is--fascination is a common response. People absorb the feel good experience the trio brings and many offer to help them out - push them forward. The group recently finished recording an EP and is awaiting the final product.

You can usually find them in OB or PB during the week days. But if you're interested in seeing a show --They will be playing concerts throughout the month of March -in San Diego and L.A. For show times and venues, check out their website at: http://yesteamgo.com.

Oh and be sure feel the music... - The Examiner


"Escaping With The Yes Team"

While so many people just dream of leaving their troubles behind, packing a van full of essentials and heading to the Pacific Ocean, The Yes Team actually did it.

In what they dubbed “The Kindness of Strangers Tour,” The Yes Team – a folk, pop and roll band straight out of Astoria featuring young musicians Kinnie Dye, TJ Moss, Jonathan Walsh and eventually San Diego’s Jackson Price – packed their acoustic guitars, an African djembe drum and their positive vibes in search of the best locations to display their talents on the West Coast.

“We dream big dreams and live bigger lives,” said Dye. “I don’t think we were prepared for how much of our money was going to be used to get across the country. We went out there not knowing anyone and relying on friends of friends to house us. It was an incredible experience. Life changing. We met so many amazing people by just being open to every moment and every opportunity.”

When they finally reached the “Welcome to California” sign, their reliable purple van – that was their living space and sleeping quarters for many consecutive days – broke down and they spent the night in an Auto Repair parking lot. According to the Team, it was the best part of the trip.

Dye and Walsh were part of Moss’ first project, The TJ Moss Band, which had national successes opening for Joss Stone and being featured in

TimeOut New York Magazine for winning “Battle of the Bands: Brookyn vs. Queens.” Eventually, Dye and Moss, who had met during their college years, decided they wanted to get out of the city and have their music reach new ears. After petitioning many friends to join them on their trek to California, only Walsh said yes. And just like that, The Yes Team was born.

“We originally were going out as two separate entities, but once we got in the van and started singing together we knew…it was instant. We were starting a brand-new project together,” said Dye.

Their first gig together took place in San Diego at an open mic coffee shop named Rebecca’s to a crowd of about 70 people.

“We got there having been a band for about 24 hours. We killed it. After we finished, we knew we had something special,” said Dye.

The Yes Team is reminiscent of Jason Mraz with a touch of Jack Johnson mixed with a Corona and lime. Their beachy, politics-free, laid back grooves are mirrored by an even more relaxed, but not lazy, vocal. For a band that is just beginning to blossom, their harmonies are well thought out and playful. Their title track from their six song EP “Back to the Sea” tells the tale of leaving the day-to-day grind of city life in search of a more hassle-free environment closer to sun and surf. Other songs like “Life is Good” challenge listeners to stay positive even when times do not seem too optimistic:

“You have to fight for what you believe in / You have to believe in what you’ll be receiving / when you look inside and decide to love what you see / Life is good to those who seek it /And refuse to be defeated…”

For Dye, these affirmative lyrics are not just words, but a way of life. She even has the word “yes” tattooed on her hand.

“It’s all about attitude,” said Dye. “The tattoo on my hand is a constant reminder of what I’m putting out there in the world. Kindness is often taken defensively in the city. People aren’t used to actual contact on the street. I make eye contact and smile at strangers. Weird, I know. How many people will smile back? Our music is soothing, positive and sends out ‘feel good’ vibes.”

Since moving to Astoria in 2004, Dye has noticed that there is always a live music scene going on around the Long Island City and Astoria area. Before extensive touring, she was involved with booking local acts through Why Leave Astoria – a web-based movement that focuses on local happenings, eateries and news.

You, too, can hear the band play at Session House in Manhattan on Friday, November 11 or on Thursday, November 17 at Rest Au Rant in Astoria – a cozy tapas wine bar and featured dating hot spot. Their entire EP, videos from their trip across the country, as well as their social networking link are available online at www.yesteamgo.com.

Bottom line: The Yes Team is worth checking out to escape from the weight of the world. Their acoustic melodies have just begun and to those paying attention, the best is yet to come. Who wouldn’t want to head back to the sea? - Queens Courier


"Xtra 99.1FM Radio Interveiw"

A radio interview with The Yes Team's Jonathan Walsh, and Xtra 99.1FMs Neal Steele - Xtra 99.1FM


Discography

Back to the Sea - EP (2011)

Life is Good - EP (2012)

The Harvest Sessions - Live album (2012)

The Yes Team - Full length album (Forthcoming 2015)

Photos

Bio

It's not just a band. It's a way of life. It's a way of living.

Back in 2010 Kinnie Dye, Jonathan Walsh, and TJ Moss took a big chance. They bought a used purple van on Craigslist. If that wasn't scary enough, they drove it from New York City to San Diego in search of sunshine and harmony. Since then, they have turned their music into their full time profession, they have crossed the country 10 times, they've played in living rooms to festival main stages and everything in between. Since then, a lot of people have said YES to The Yes Team.

That includes San Diego folk guru Jeff Berkley, winner of the 1999 Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Award. Berkley said yes to recording The Yes Team's debut, self-titled album, a 15 track folk-pop journeyman's piece. The release of this album, coupled with a long-awaited trip to Austin for SXSW, will finally put The Yes Team on the musical map.


Band Members