Put Your Week in the Dumpsta this Friday when Dumpstaphunk Hits the TLA!

Have a case of the Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays? Put your week in the Dumpsta when New Orleans’ finest hits The Theater of Living Arts this Friday, November 22! Ivan Neville first premiered Dumpstaphunk back at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2003 and the band has reached soaring popularity in the years following Hurricane Katrina. The most recent testament to their continued success appeared in July 2013 when the band released “Dirty Word.” If you’re late to this release, you can do some catching up at their show Friday in support of this one of a kind dose of funk!

Ivan Neville is a legend in his own right- he released his first solo project If My Ancestors Could See Me Now in 1988 and has worked with the likes of Keith Richards, Warren Haynes, and Bonnie Raitt, just to name a few. If “Ivan” isn’t ringing a bell then perhaps “Neville” is? Ivan is the son of Aaron Neville and started off his career playing alongside his father and uncles Art (of The Meters), Charles, and Cyril in The Neville Brothers. Ivan’s cousin and Art’s son, Ian Neville has been beside Ivan from the commencement of Dumpstaphunk and it’s safe to say combining the talents of the Neville family is a recipe for success. Dumpstaphunk ‘s first EP Listen Hear was released independently back in 2007 and was followed up with 2010’s well-received studio effort Everybody Wants Sum. With ten years of playing under their belt, Dumpstaphunk pays homage to decades of jazz, funk, and more while simultaneously taking what is valued most about these genres to create a sound of their own.  Ivan Neville handles vocals, B3 and Clav and Ian Neville plays guitar.  If you notice extra bass, you aren’t hearing double any more than you should– both Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III play bass and contribute vocals.  Additional vocals and drums are brought to you by Nikki Glaspie. Glaspie explains, “We just hope to spread the good word through funk. If we can create an escape, give people a reason to get down and forget their problems, then we’re doing what we set out to do.”

After giving Dirty Word a listen, I’d say it is mission accomplished for Dumpstaphunk! Their newest album encourages listeners to savor the best of life and throw the rest in the Dumpsta with 11 tracks sure to please.  Their genre-defying appeal is back and better than ever, as evidenced by the impressive range of artists featured this time around.  Let your body move from “Dancin’ To The Truth” forward because Dumpstaphunk is not holding back!  Ani Difranco lends her vocals to the title track as F-U-N-K secures its place as a favorite dirty word. Trombone Shorty and saxophonist Skerik take a swanky lead on “I Wish You Would” for a collaboration that sounds straight from Jazz Fest.  Being cheated on sounds a whole lot better when the Grooveline Horns join the funk quintet on “I Know You Know,” a track sure to add some grooving to the way you’re moving even if you’re brokenhearted! The band’s cover of Betty Davis’ “If I’m In Luck” features Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  You may be thinking “Wait, Flea’s a bassist and Dumpstaphunk has two bassists…” so let us help you with the math—this song features three bassists who help make the song the band’s own. The original takes on classics continue when the Grooveline Horns make a second appearance on Graham Central Station’s “Water.” Ivan’s soulful handiwork on this track is especially emotion evoking and the band manages to showcase their respective skills while remaining in powerfully soulful harmony.

Seemingly channeling the spirit of the album, Dumpstaphunk’s superb musicianship backs a narrative of someone acknowledging the greats before them while declaring to do their own thing in “Blueswave.”  “Reality of the Situation” features surreal-like resonations fading in time to hear the lyrical message to look out for one another in clarity.  In addition to loving one another, Dumpstaphunk encourages listeners to “Take Time” to become their best and dancing around to this track may very well be a sound start!  The final song on the album offers a powerhouse of musicians as the band is joined by Art Neville, Trombone Shorty, and Rebirth Brass Band in “Raise the House.”  The range of musicians isn’t the only highlight adding to the Nola experience; the song begins with a frontline worthy drum roll and grows to feature a full horn section.

Dumpstaphunk will have already warmed up with shows at Bear Creek Music Festival, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Maryland on this tour so expect them to bring the heat this Friday! The show will also feature performances from New Kingston and legendary reggae group Easy Star All-Stars  (who will be celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Dub Side of the Moon) for a full night of entertainment sure to put you in a good mood the whole week through!