NIPP: Tea Leaf Green

Tea Leaf Green

Artist Website	Bio
San Francisco’s Tea Leaf Green has amazed suspecting and unsuspecting audience members in the Bay Area throughout the past few years and has become one of the fastest growing musical acts on the West Coast. TLG’s powerful version of jam rock allows the band to feature their diverse songwriting sensibilities and astounding amounts of raw talent. Even though TLG will be sure to stake a claim on the jam scene, their roots are firmly planted in rock, and you are certain to be wowed by the sheer power of instrumental exploration before you’re bored by the incessant meandering of an extended jam. What makes this band so appealing is their ability to stretch out a concept, trounce around together on a tightly composed interlude, point to any band member to take the lead, or soothe the crowd with a well-composed ballad. In 2003 TLG has been on fire. Selling out the Great American Music Hall twice and Slim’s once in their home town has been rewarding and given TLG the opportunity to stretch far beyond San Francisco. During the year TLG has traveled across the country for over 75 shows already. Playing rooms from 100-1200 capacity, TLG has worked with quality, nationally known promoters throughout the country. TLG has also played many high-profile festivals during this year. Our fan base is growing everyday. Most importantly these are fans that have grown from enjoying the TLG energy and music to fans that tell everybody they know and then go to the show and sing all words to the songs. Our ever-growing fan base is proven through our door numbers and the amount of CD’s we have sold independently. Between the first studio album and the live shows available for purchase, TLG has sold more than 5000 units since July 2001. This is a band on the rise and ready to work with the momentum that has been created. Unlike most of their peers, the four members of TLG bring a more aggressive and progressive rock ‘n’ roll style to the jamband table. TLG has effectively carved its own niche and forged its own unparalleled sound. Perhaps that’s why the band’s fans-along with its relentless tour schedule and continuous self-promotion-have helped make TLG one of the fastest growing musical acts on the road today. Onstage, TLG has a build-and-release delivery that can quickly elevate to build-and-unleash, leaving the listener awestruck. Ultimately, the band’s sound strikes the perfect balance between wildness and precision. Tea Leaf Green’s sound can be loud, melodic, in your face and danceable, often all at the same time. Prolific live performances, a loyal fan base, hundreds of hours of live material on the internet and a dedicated business team have made TLG a recognizable name throughout the country and have established a sizable country wide fan base. These fans are not your everyday passive music listeners however. They are passionate about their favorite band and routinely help with grass-roots marketing of the group to music lovers and the music industry all across the county. Collectors of live music have also caught on and fervently accumulate as much of the band’s music as they can get their hand’s on. All of these efforts have combined to allow the band to play a market for the first time, yet already have a strong and loyal fan base waiting to buy tickets. The band’s members are all best friends which allows for an increased understanding of teamwork both on and off the stage, creating an uncanny sense of intuition and masterful improvisational dexterity within the group. Each member brings a unique style to the floor, complimenting one another while being patient as new musical ideas and grooves organically evolve. TLG is a band that fully involves itself in the power of the musical moment and sometimes band members look as surprised as anyone at where the music has taken them when they open their eyes after one of the trademark improvisational journeys. Each of the band members are California natives and their music is reflective of the land. They are progressive musicians spirited with perceptive harmonic insight and outstanding talent. Hollow-bodied guitarist Josh Clark’s fiery solos and confident guitar riffs are played with a flurry of ferociously animated, yet incredibly precise, left-handed fret work. Drummer Scott Rager sculpts the intensity of the jams and often propels and shapes the power of the band’s sonic textures. THE WEED on bass unites with Rager’s constantly moving forward with deep straightforward bass lines. Keyboardist Trevor Garrod, whose strong, but sometimes subtle and flexible keyboard style and soothing and soulful vocal talent rounds out the group with his artfully controlled abandon. This talented band is at the forefront of the revival of lyrical rock, completely fusing jams that don’t lose the listener, with sensible lyric-driven rock ‘n’ roll that sets the quartet apart. Lyrical, emotional melodies, masterful guitar work and accessible musicianship all combine to make Tea Leaf Green one of the next big things on the music scene. Parmalot. Rager brought to the fold the experience of playing to sold out audiences at both the Whiskey A-go-go and the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, with his then band, Salty Onion. After high school, Scott packed up his leaving trunk and headed for the lights of San Francisco, where the grass is much greener. It didn’t take long for him to encounter bassist Benjamin Chambers on the campus of San Francisco State University. It was a chance meeting at best, but in hindsight, the destiny of both players. Chambers was also a transplanted Los Angelino, thus the roots ran deep. The two musicians, spurred by a mutual desire to start a band, met casually for instrumental jam sessions in Ben’s tiny bedroom in a back house off Church Street. This period together allowed both to get to know each other personally and artistically and the foundation of a stellar rhythm section was solidified. The musical interest were similar, yet diverse enough, to spark interest at both ends. Scott introduced his crisp rock drumming to Ben’s funk inspired basslines. Not long after, Josh also made the move from the San Gabriel Valley to The City. Clark brought to the table lightening fast fingers and an intrinsic ear for his art. A trio was instantly formed. The group, though each adequate songwriters, still lacked a true tune-smith. A handful of singers, guitarists, and hanger’s-on made their way through the threshold at Church Street, but none were able to supply what the three desired so badly, a fourth, and equally potent, wheel to get the car motoring down the highway. One night, at a warehouse party, a young, blond, bomber-jacket clad, keyboard virtuoso named Trevor Garrod caught the boy’s performance. He asked if he could play with them. After hearing what Trevor had to offer, quick hands and melodic chord progressions, they readily agreed to allow him to join the band. Trevor delivered an instant jolt to the outfit. Songs poured from his banks like an endless pitcher of beer. He presented his own musical numbers and helped complete the solid, though unfinished, arsenal of songs the band already possessed. The foursome soon cut a rough demo that, while antiquated now, was a glimpse into the greatness and complexity currently associated with the group. As any musician will tell you the only way to improve and progress is, simply, constant gigging. This is what the lads set out to do. They provided entertainment at studio parties, art shows, small clubs, backyards, and anywhere else that would allow them to plug in and jam. Before they knew it, they had a small, but extremely dedicated, following. A fanbase was developed in San Francisco, on the campus of UC Davis, and in the Los Angeles basin. Soon the band was preforming at clubs like the Paradise Lounge, Boomerang, and the Hotel Utah. Over the next three years ceaseless exploration musically and a vault of original material help propel them to the position they maintain today. The band continues to improve with each performance, showcasing a stunning array of sophisticated material that explores the sonic landscape of progressive, experimental rock music, From the Doors to the Grateful Dead, from Steely Dan to Yes, from the Jayhawks to Frank Zappa, from The Allman Brothers to Phish, the list of influences in endless. But more importantly, the music is distinctly their own definitive vision. Such songs as Baseball Jam, Sex in the 70’s and Professor’s Blues reveal each member’s individual brilliance as well as a cohesive understandings painfully absent from today’s music scene. There is no limit to the band’s future. As new fans discover the awe inspiring quartet, as old fans shake their heads in understanding, as girls whirl beneath the psychedelic overtures, one aspect can be confirmed and agreed upon—THIS BAND ROCKS!

Bio

San Francisco’s Tea Leaf Green has amazed suspecting and unsuspecting audience members in the Bay Area throughout the past few years and has become one of the fastest growing musical acts on the West Coast. TLG’s powerful version of jam rock allows the band to feature their diverse songwriting sensibilities and astounding amounts of raw talent. Even though TLG will be sure to stake a claim on the jam scene, their roots are firmly planted in rock, and you are certain to be wowed by the sheer power of instrumental exploration before you’re bored by the incessant meandering of an extended jam. What makes this band so appealing is their ability to stretch out a concept, trounce around together on a tightly composed interlude, point to any band member to take the lead, or soothe the crowd with a well-composed ballad.

In 2003 TLG has been on fire. Selling out the Great American Music Hall twice and Slim’s once in their home town has been rewarding and given TLG the opportunity to stretch far beyond San Francisco. During the year TLG has traveled across the country for over 75 shows already. Playing rooms from 100-1200 capacity, TLG has worked with quality, nationally known promoters throughout the country. TLG has also played many high-profile festivals during this year. Our fan base is growing everyday. Most importantly these are fans that have grown from enjoying the TLG energy and music to fans that tell everybody they know and then go to the show and sing all words to the songs. Our ever-growing fan base is proven through our door numbers and the amount of CD’s we have sold independently. Between the first studio album and the live shows available for purchase, TLG has sold more than 5000 units since July 2001. This is a band on the rise and ready to work with the momentum that has been created.

Unlike most of their peers, the four members of TLG bring a more aggressive and progressive rock ‘n’ roll style to the jamband table. TLG has effectively carved its own niche and forged its own unparalleled sound. Perhaps that’s why the band’s fans-along with its relentless tour schedule and continuous self-promotion-have helped make TLG one of the fastest growing musical acts on the road today.

Onstage, TLG has a build-and-release delivery that can quickly elevate to build-and-unleash, leaving the listener awestruck. Ultimately, the band’s sound strikes the perfect balance between wildness and precision. Tea Leaf Green’s sound can be loud, melodic, in your face and danceable, often all at the same time.

Prolific live performances, a loyal fan base, hundreds of hours of live material on the internet and a dedicated business team have made TLG a recognizable name throughout the country and have established a sizable country wide fan base. These fans are not your everyday passive music listeners however. They are passionate about their favorite band and routinely help with grass-roots marketing of the group to music lovers and the music industry all across the county. Collectors of live music have also caught on and fervently accumulate as much of the band’s music as they can get their hand’s on. All of these efforts have combined to allow the band to play a market for the first time, yet already have a strong and loyal fan base waiting to buy tickets.

The band’s members are all best friends which allows for an increased understanding of teamwork both on and off the stage, creating an uncanny sense of intuition and masterful improvisational dexterity within the group. Each member brings a unique style to the floor, complimenting one another while being patient as new musical ideas and grooves organically evolve. TLG is a band that fully involves itself in the power of the musical moment and sometimes band members look as surprised as anyone at where the music has taken them when they open their eyes after one of the trademark improvisational journeys.

Each of the band members are California natives and their music is reflective of the land. They are progressive musicians spirited with perceptive harmonic insight and outstanding talent. Hollow-bodied guitarist Josh Clark’s fiery solos and confident guitar riffs are played with a flurry of ferociously animated, yet incredibly precise, left-handed fret work. Drummer Scott Rager sculpts the intensity of the jams and often propels and shapes the power of the band’s sonic textures. THE WEED on bass unites with Rager’s constantly moving forward with deep straightforward bass lines. Keyboardist Trevor Garrod, whose strong, but sometimes subtle and flexible keyboard style and soothing and soulful vocal talent rounds out the group with his artfully controlled abandon.

This talented band is at the forefront of the revival of lyrical rock, completely fusing jams that don’t lose the listener, with sensible lyric-driven rock ‘n’ roll that sets the quartet apart. Lyrical, emotional melodies, masterful guitar work and accessible musicianship all combine to make Tea Leaf Green one of the next big things on the music scene. Parmalot. Rager brought to the fold the experience of playing to sold out audiences at both the Whiskey A-go-go and the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, with his then band, Salty Onion. After high school, Scott packed up his leaving trunk and headed for the lights of San Francisco, where the grass is much greener. It didn’t take long for him to encounter bassist Benjamin Chambers on the campus of San Francisco State University. It was a chance meeting at best, but in hindsight, the destiny of both players. Chambers was also a transplanted Los Angelino, thus the roots ran deep.

The two musicians, spurred by a mutual desire to start a band, met casually for instrumental jam sessions in Ben’s tiny bedroom in a back house off Church Street. This period together allowed both to get to know each other personally and artistically and the foundation of a stellar rhythm section was solidified. The musical interest were similar, yet diverse enough, to spark interest at both ends. Scott introduced his crisp rock drumming to Ben’s funk inspired basslines. Not long after, Josh also made the move from the San Gabriel Valley to The City. Clark brought to the table lightening fast fingers and an intrinsic ear for his art. A trio was instantly formed. The group, though each adequate songwriters, still lacked a true tune-smith. A handful of singers, guitarists, and hanger’s-on made their way through the threshold at Church Street, but none were able to supply what the three desired so badly, a fourth, and equally potent, wheel to get the car motoring down the highway. One night, at a warehouse party, a young, blond, bomber-jacket clad, keyboard virtuoso named Trevor Garrod caught the boy’s performance. He asked if he could play with them. After hearing what Trevor had to offer, quick hands and melodic chord progressions, they readily agreed to allow him to join the band.

Trevor delivered an instant jolt to the outfit. Songs poured from his banks like an endless pitcher of beer. He presented his own musical numbers and helped complete the solid, though unfinished, arsenal of songs the band already possessed. The foursome soon cut a rough demo that, while antiquated now, was a glimpse into the greatness and complexity currently associated with the group. As any musician will tell you the only way to improve and progress is, simply, constant gigging. This is what the lads set out to do. They provided entertainment at studio parties, art shows, small clubs, backyards, and anywhere else that would allow them to plug in and jam.

Before they knew it, they had a small, but extremely dedicated, following. A fanbase was developed in San Francisco, on the campus of UC Davis, and in the Los Angeles basin. Soon the band was preforming at clubs like the Paradise Lounge, Boomerang, and the Hotel Utah. Over the next three years ceaseless exploration musically and a vault of original material help propel them to the position they maintain today. The band continues to improve with each performance, showcasing a stunning array of sophisticated material that explores the sonic landscape of progressive, experimental rock music, From the Doors to the Grateful Dead, from Steely Dan to Yes, from the Jayhawks to Frank Zappa, from The Allman Brothers to Phish, the list of influences in endless. But more importantly, the music is distinctly their own definitive vision. Such songs as Baseball Jam, Sex in the 70’s and Professor’s Blues reveal each member’s individual brilliance as well as a cohesive understandings painfully absent from today’s music scene.

There is no limit to the band’s future. As new fans discover the awe inspiring quartet, as old fans shake their heads in understanding, as girls whirl beneath the psychedelic overtures, one aspect can be confirmed and agreed upon—THIS BAND ROCKS!