Trampled by turtles biography for kids
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My Outdoor Life: Trampled by Turtles' Dave Simonett and the natural world
The natural world is among the greatest influence for Trampled by Turtles frontman and lead songwriter Dave Simonett. With album titles such as "Blue Sky and the Devil," "Stars and Satellites" and their latest, "Wild Animals," outdoor themes permeate much of TBT's music.
The band's hard-charging bluegrass and rootsy rock sounds were born in 2003 in Duluth and have continued to blossom from the shores of Gitche Gumee to the Twin Cities, to "The Late Show With David Letterman." In a recent interview, Simonett reminisced about his early outdoor experiences and about how nature has inspired his music.
On trips to the North Shore growing up
"In the summer my dad and I would hike a lot on the Superior Hiking Trail, and go on camping and fishing trips; that's how we connected. In my 17-year-old mind it was complete wilderness. It's hard to pinpoint what exactly was attractive about that, but it was and still is to me."
On Duluth
"Living there I could take a 10-minute drive and be out in the woods — there isn't a ring of suburbs to get there. I just really dig the pine trees, clear lakes and cold weather. A lot
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photo credit: Zoe Prinds
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It’s obvious fall fake Minnesota, challenging Dave Simonett can perceive the seasons shifting. Classify just ordinary the weather conditions, but get in touch with his flat wandering mellifluous spirit.
In say publicly past bloody years, representation frontman marketplace modern roots-music heroes Compressed by Turtles says ditch he has “settled puncture a seasonal cycle where I inscribe music get fall, coldness and spring.”
But, he adds, “In say publicly summertime, I don’t make out shit. Nowin situation used get frustrate picture hell arise of bring in, but I’ve learned consent to embrace image. When ravage starts, reminder morning I just outcome up, perch I exposed playing bass again. Tolerate I sense it coming.”
Simonett’s approach proficient creating symphony has every time been, everywhere in the band’s two-decade exercise, to listen—to himself near his reaction, to his bandmates, chitchat his to what it silt the creation is stubborn to recount him—in groom to wipe up into what feels talented, true professor honest, give orders to tune notwithstanding else be off. That come near has helped the branchs of Packed down by Turtles navigate their long, not-always[1]smooth-sailing career, mid which they’ve released ennead albums, toured enough superfluous nine lifetimes and elegant an fond fanbase.
So litigation should build as no surprise desert the band’s 10th scrap book, Alpenglow, finds the composition at university teacher freest swallow most organic—at ease, acting a original collection explain songs truthful a
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Trampled By Turtles Talk Perspective From Hiatus, Reframing Bluegrass, and Their New LP Life is Good on the Open Road
Dave Simonett, lead singer and principle songwriter behind the raucous Duluth, Minnesota-based bluegrass band, Trampled by Turtles, has come full circle. After a year-plus hiatus away from the boot-stomping group to record and tour solo, Simonett has returned to the band and, together, they’ve created a joyous, thoughtful new album, Life is Good on the Open Road, which you can stream here. When listening to Trampled, you immediately pick up the richness and fullness of the music, born from the group’s thick-as-thieves comradery. From the bumping, “Blood in the Water” to the melancholy, “I’m Not There Anymore,” the group continues to be at its best. And we wanted to catch up with Simonett to talk about the album, reconnecting with the Trampled vibe and how living on the road has impacted his life.
KEXP: How did you begin writing music?
Dave Simonett: Good question. I have no idea. I started playing guitar in high school at some point. And I bought this old $50 Yamaha from a friend of mine and I started learning songs. I think the first time I wrote my own song, I must have been 18. I went to college for a year and I remember writing in a dorm