Prior to forming, Trucks and Tedeschi both operated as solo artists. Until late-2014, Trucks had also spent 15 years as an official member of The Allman Brothers Band. However, as much as they loved their former projects, they yearned to create new music. Trucks in particular wanted to put together something that would push the boundaries of what people expected from him.
“I think it was sort of a dream for him to have a band that actually wanted to be on the road together,” says lead vocalist, Tedeschi. “He’s one of those people that doesn’t like to sit still. He likes to continue to learn and continue to grow. Some of these bands, they’re great and everything, but they’ve played the same song for 40 years. Derek is like most of the guys in our band, where they like to keep moving.”
Indeed, this lively hunger for evolution radiates through the entire group, continuing to fuel the creative fire. As the stars began to align with Tedeschi and Trucks handpicking their favourite sessions players, musical accomplices and personalities, it was clear they were onto something worth pursuing.
“It’s a very special group,” says Tedeschi. “I was blown away. I didn’t at the time want to leave my band – I loved my band, I was having a great time, and we were making great music – but I wasn’t going to miss that opportunity. Really, Derek is one of the finest musicians I’ve ever heard and to have the opportunity to be in a band with him is amazing. Not just because he’s my husband, but because I really respect him as an artist.”
A watershed moment for the group was recruiting both J.J. Johnson and Tyler Greenwell to create the unusual, but widely lauded, lineup of dual drummers. “Those two actually met on the drums,” says Tedeschi. “They had instant chemistry and an instant connection. I think that was really the birth of the band right there, because it’s so unique and they’re both so gifted.”
As time progressed, the lineup went through numerous changes until the chemistry was perfected and the group solidified. The band is a melting pot of influences, all filtered through the cohesive vision of Tedeschi and Trucks. “They’re so eclectic,” says Tedeschi on the collection of musicians who have now joined her travelling musical family. “They’re really intelligent musicians. They almost have ESP and can read each other’s minds. It’s kind of mind blowing.”
When Tedeschi talks of ESP, she is referring to the group’s uncanny ability to listen closely to each other, before launching into spontaneous improvisations that can move from Eastern inspired ambience to searing, climactic solos within an instant. With 12 members on board, it is astounding that each individual player can tune into the same musical wavelength. Tedeschi highlights the secret to their exceptional bond.
“It’s about mutual respect for each other. Not just listening, but wanting to listen,” she says. “There’s an interesting difference there. It’s one thing to pay attention, but it’s another to want to be part of what’s happening – to be in the moment together, to be creating together and giving each other a little bit of leeway. Not just trying to control the situation, but trying to be a part of the situation. That’s something that’s amazing about this group. Off the stage, we go and we walk together, we do laundry, we eat together, we get in trouble together. But it’s a beautiful thing, because we’re best friends. Not many bands can say that. There’s a lot of bands that hate each other and don’t even hang out; go to the hotel room and show up at the gig. We’ve seen that, and that’s not fun. That’s not what it’s about.”
While listeners are still in awe of the band’s last album, 2013’s Made Up Mind, the group aren’t stalling on a follow up. With Trucks taking on the role of producer, Tedeschi Trucks Band’s third long player is but a few finishing touches away from completion.
“We tried a lot of new things,” says Tedeschi. “Some of it, I don’t actually know if we can actually recreate it live like it is on the record. Which is good, because that makes it a record. You know, you think about The Beatles or you think about Hendrix, they can perform some of those songs live but they’re not the same. We’ve put a lot of heart and soul into this record, and I think that’s something that people are going to hear right away.”
BY JAMES DI FABRIZIO
