Credit: Jake Netter
In a world full of Auto-Tune, it's refreshing to stumble upon a band that's raw, organic and -- dare I say it -- uses real instruments! Don't get me wrong, I love a T-Pain jam as much as the next person, but sometimes you just need to hear the sweet sounds of a real harmonica, accordion, mandolin, trombone and guitar to set your mind at ease. Maybe that combination of instruments isn't exactly traditional, but that's what makes up Terraplane Sun, a five-piece blues/folk rock quintet that hails from Venice, California.
Sonically, the boys of Terraplane Sun range somewhere between slap-happy bluegrass and gritty organic rock, with a tinge of soul and country occassionally thrown in for good measure. Visually, the boys of Terraplane Sun range somewhere between handsome, hot and even hotter, while their unassuming style makes their bold sound even more surprising.
On "Funnel Of Love," lead vocalist Ben Rothbard's piercing vocals tear right through the pounding drums and slinky guitar: "Here I go/I'm going down, down, down/My mind is a-blank/My head is a-spinning around and 'round/And I look deep into the funnel of love." While it's my personal favorite, "Funnel Of Love" isn't the only standout track -- several other TS tunes have gotten lucrative placements in shows such as Showtime's "Nurse Betty," FX's "Damages" and A&E's "Intervention." Hello, royalties.
If for some ridiculous reason Terraplane Sun isn't massive soon, I will personally call the music industry and complain. Side note: I also might have some words with them about getting Justin Timberlake back in the studio.
+ Listen to Terraplane Sun.