Everybody loves Jelly Bread’s tasty jams.
The Reno quartet was just signed by Intrepid Artists, which is cooking up a recipe for success.
“They’ve already got things on the burner for us,” said guitarist Dave Berry. “They are from the Southeast (Charlotte, N.C.), where we just toured and had a huge response.”
Jelly Bread pretty much covered the nation this summer. It returned to Reno on Sunday after a six-week, 10,000 mile tour that played in 18 states.
“We went to a lot of new areas,” Berry said. “We played in Alexandria, Louisiana. The soundman said, ‘Y’all in the Deep South, now.’ ”
Berry’s lap slide guitar has inspired some critics to describe Jelly Bread’s sound as “swampy funk,” and the Louisiana crowd agreed, Berry said. “They gave us their stamp of approval.”
Moreover, so did Intrepid Artists, which has numerous nationally known artists who frequent Lake Tahoe, including Carolyn Wonderland, Mingo Fishtrap, Curtis Salgado and Coco Montoya.
“They have some great funk and soul bands on their roster,” Berry said. “They told us they
love what you’re doing, we appreciate your work ethic and if you guys give us a chance we think we can make a huge difference. And that’s what we wanted to hear.”
Here’s what Intrepid Artists has on the front page of its website introducing the band:
“Jelly Bread’s musical alchemy blends a dash of alt-rock with soul and funk, yet is thoroughly steeped in Rock-Americana. The band’s chameleonic playlist is highlighted by dual vocals, four part harmonies, in-the-pocket drum and bass grooves, swampy lap steel guitar, dirt under the fingernails guitar licks, and take-’em-to-church organ that is downright appetizing. Jelly Bread has emerged with a high-energy calling card that melds elements of desert twang and the urban tones of funk & rock, balanced by exceptional songwriting and storytelling.”
Jelly Bread opens for Kyle Hollingsworth Sept. 25 in MontBleu at Stateline.
“I know them now,” Hollingsworth told Tahoe Onstage. “I’ve been checking them out on YouTube. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I just toured with a similar band, Earphunk from New Orleans. I love playing with slamming artists because when I do, I learn something
from them every time.”
Recently joining Berry and lead singer-drummer Cliff Porter and keyboardist Eric Matlock is bass player Jeremy Hunt, a resident of Tahoe Vista. Hunt previously played with Thick Newton and Terraplane.
“He’s not just a funk bassist,” Berry said. “He’s played with metal and country bands, and that’s great because we cover a lot of ground.”
Both musically and geographically.
