The challenge for an instrumental band is finding an audience that can hear beyond what most other groups or genres require from passive listeners.
TAUK, the fast-rising instrumental group from New York that incorporates several elements from diverse styles such as rock, jazz and classical, had no problem winning over crowds this year at Bonnaroo. For the music of keyboardist Alric “A.C.” Carter and guitarist Matt Jalbert needs no explanation to be appreciated.
“We want our music to speak for itself,” Jalbert said. “ We love what we do so much that, hopefully, when people listen, it comes across and they don’t have to hear anything I have to say about it. They can just listen to it and just hear something they can connect with and something they can take away from it.
“Ultimately, that’s kind of the goal, just to take what we love and have other people from the outside see into that.” Any band that plays together develops a certain bond that can only come from relying on each other while performing in front of an audience. This is one of the key components for TAUK as a band and what gives their music such concrete power and quality. TAUK began when Carter, Jalbert and bassist, Charlie Dolan, were in middle school. The group evolved throughout high school and continued as each member went off to different colleges to study music.
Even though they are quick to admit that the band has gone through several changes since their middle school beginnings (puberty being one of them), Carter and Jalbert agree that some things have stayed the same.
“I think the main thing that has always been there was just this shared [idea of] knowing this is what we all want to do. We know we all love music; this is our focus,” Jalbert said. “This is one that I always want to come back to and put my efforts into the most. I feel like that has been there for, I can’t even tell you.”
As TAUK’s scheduled set at Bonnaroo approached, the band’s excitement did not come across as nervous but rather as an eager desire to prove their talent as a band. The band also spoke about the unique environment a major music festival like Bonnaroo gives them as musicians and as music fans.
“In terms of music, Black Star, Flying Lotus, Little Dragon, these are people I listen to in my car,” Carter said. “You see them here and you can say ‘hey’ and pick their brain. That’s such a blessing as a musician.”
“Coming to festivals [like Bonnaroo] is like living in iTunes,” Jalbert added.
“Yeah,” Carter agreed. “It’s an awesome experience.”
TAUK’s highly praised new release “Pull Factors” is available now.
