Raleigh, N.C.-based Waylandsphere will play Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern tonight, fresh from jamming with Widespread Panic and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
With Tommy Fowler on drums, Dave Titchener on guitar and vocals, Matt Levine on bass and Stephen Kostner on keys and vocals, the band creates a familiar blues/funk mix.
The band, which began touring in 2002, released their first album, Salt Works Meditation, in March 2003. It wasn’t long before they began gaining notoriety and playing with big names from the jam scene, including Widespread Panic, Moe and Starkville favorite Chris Chew of the North Mississippi Allstars.
Fans of the band say their improvisational style sets them apart from their jam counterparts.
“Waylandsphere is the best unsigned band that I saw last year and I’m happy that this year I won’t have to drive five hours to see them,” graduate student Austin Leach said.
Dark Horse Tavern owner Dave Hood said he is excited about having the band.
“A lot of my employees go to State and some saw them in Nashville and liked them,” Hood said. “I’ve heard their CD and enjoyed it. They’re a combination of soul, Southern funk, with some good jazz.”
A Reflector reporter caught up with Titchener.
Kathleen: When did the band first come together?
David: Two years ago this month.
Kathleen: What other bands have inspired aylandsphere’s music?
David: Any band anyone’s ever listened to. I personally grew up listening to Phish, Widespread Panic and Pavement.
Kathleen: I know that the band has previously toured the Eastern United States and Colorado. Where will Waylandsphere expand their touring?
David: After Mississippi, we go to Memphis, St. Louis, Iowa and North Carolina.
Kathleen: What city does the band most like to perform in and what is your favorite venue?
David: New Orleans is a lot of fun, hands down. Great food. The prettiest place we’ve ever played was at the Gerald Ford Amphitheatre in Vail, Colorado. Looking out from the open stage, all you see are the mountains and green grass. Tampa area is also beautiful. It’s surreal.
Kathleen: Waylandsphere has previously performed at big outdoor music festivals such as Jazzfest. What do you like most about performing in those festivals?
David: They’re very exciting-gets the butterflies going because we’re playing in front of more people than usual.
Kathleen: Which festival has struck Waylandsphere as being the most impressive?
David: Bonnaroo impressed and amazed me. Not to sound authoritative, but it was mostly because of the people’s good behavior. We also enjoyed Myrtle Fest in North Carolina, the mountains.
Kathleen: Does the band enjoy playing in college towns?
David: Yes. Some towns we’ve only been to once, but we’d like to return to them. Columbia in Missouri had a good vibe. College towns are a good meeting point with people in the state.
Kathleen: How do you and your bandmates feel about playing here in Starkville?
David: It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. We’ve had good responses from people over there and people sound like they’ll come out.