Photo by JP Candelier and Meghan McCromick
Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids
Nov. 5, 10 p.m.
$5
Park Theatre, Holland
Nov. 6, 9 p.m.
$6
The Strutt, Kalamazoo
Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
$6
The members of Rubblebucket like to describe themselves as New Orleans and Brooklyn's lovechild. It was a description someone used to describe the multi-genre band, and the eight members liked it so much that it stuck.
"That's actually pretty accurate," said Kalmia Traver, vocalist for the band. "It gets to the crazy big brass band elements and the rock edge."
According to Traver, genres are necessary to music, and hates when Rubblebucket is described as having no genre.
"It's hard for people to understand if you tell them, ‘Oh, there's [no genre],'" she said. "Cause then they're like ‘Well, then I'm not gonna go to that show, cause I want to know what I'm going to get in to.'"
Rubblebucket is currently touring in support of its latest self-titled album, which was released in October. The album is filled with new songs, as well as songs the band been hanging on to since it originated.
"I'm really proud of all the music on the album, I think it paints a picture more than our first album. It's the whole presentation," Traver said.
Though Traver hates the unclassified response to her band's music, Rubblebucket combines big band aspects with a horn section, jazz effects with Traver's vocals, heavy funk and a bit of afro beat. It has the chill sound of something you would hear out of New Orleans, with a dash of Brooklyn rock grit, making the lovechild description extremely accurate. And with eight members, the stage becomes Rubblebucket's own personal party.
"We're really into the live show, and we try to make it the most fun and crazy [experience] as possible," Traver said. "Sometimes we go run around out in the crowd and dance with people. I think that viewers can definitely expect to get tossed around a little bit. We've been incorporating this thing where we do group stretches partway through the show, and I think that's a pretty big hit."
In November, there are three opportunities in West Michigan to see Rubblebucket's onstage party, when it plays Founders, Park Theatre, and The Strutt.
