Billing themselves as “Not the Jam Band We Need But the Jam Band We Deserve,” Taper’s Choice are somewhat mysterious newcomers to the scene—and they’re sure having fun with it. Here’s what we know: the band is a jam supergroup comprised of Dave Harrington (Darkside), Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend), Alex Bleeker (Real Estate), and Zach Tenorio (Arc Iris). Beyond that scant info, it wasn’t until recently that tunes have emerged. Previously available only at merch tables at the band’s few California shows earlier this year, the cassette-only Choice Tapes Vol. 1 circulated word-of-mouth for a while before finally landing on Bandcamp along with Choice Tapes Vol. 2. (I hear Vol. 3 is in the works.) Songs on the tapes are titled only with single or double curly quotes on both volumes but if you listen hard maybe you’ll hear some similarities to jams circulating in “trader” circles on the Live Music Archive.
We were fortunate to get invited out to the band’s exclusive (and sold out) first show in New York (or Jam Hollywood to those in the know). Two sets under the stars at Brooklyn’s Sultan Room (one of the premier destinations for jams in the borough) and we were sold 100% on Taper’s Choice. These guys even have their own festival! Take that Phish. And go buy some tickets to Choice Fest.
Stream and download at the Live Music Archive
Taper's Choice 2022-04-24 The Sultan Room Rooftop Brooklyn, NY Recorded and produced by Eric PH for nyctaper.com MBHO KA200N/603A > Naiant PFA >> Sound Devices MixPre-6 > WAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC + Izotope Ozone 5 > Audacity 3.0.2 > FLAC Set 1: 01. Running From the Rain 02. Lick the Toad 03. The Dave Test (Yes) > 04. Walkin’ Around 05. Darkness on the Edge of Midtown* Set 2: 06. Above the Timberline 07. Every Bubble > 08. Born to Burst* 09. Lilac Palace 10. Low Era*^ 11. Döner Wrap *with Stuart Bogie - sax ^Geese cover with Cameron Winter (lead singer of Geese) Kenny Wollesen - percussion on all of second set Taper's Choice is: Dave Harrington, Alex Bleeker, Chris Tomson, Zach Tenorio-Miller
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