Horn-drenched soul music has been having something of a major league revival over the past few years. One of the most exciting bands on the national scene today is The Dip. Their latest recording, The Dip Delivers, is in stores tomorrow.
The Seattle-based septet is known throughout the Pacific Northwest for their high-energy shows and compelling song writing. Tom Eddy is the frontman, guitarist, and vocalist. His emotive voice brings out the at-times subtle nuance of the band’s lyrics.
With a driving rhythm section featuring Mark Hunter on bass and Jarred Katz on drums, plus the impeccably crisp lines of the Evan Smith (baritone saxophone), Levi Gillis (tenor sax), and Brennan Carter (trumpet)—dubbed the “Honeynut Horns,”—the new album’s production has that classic soul, stop-on-a-dime spirit. The stellar guitar work of Jacob Lundgren adds ear-candy curlicues around the rest of the instruments.
The songs on The Dip Delivers walk the line between vintage R&B and classic pop delivered in style by Eddy, who possesses the voice of a true soul singer. The lyrics jump out as clearly as the flickering guitar lines and the popping horn parts.
Many of the tunes would not be out of place on Soul Train circa 1970, particularly one of my favorite cuts, “She Gave Me the Keys.” The car in question is, of course, a Cadillac. Even the album cover evokes the era.
The Dip collaborated with a slew of local Seattle musicians helping to highlight the variety of the new material. Additional percussion, background singers, and a string quartet add serious color to their already full sound.
The Dip has performed at the High Sierra Festival and Sasquatch! Music Festival among other high-profile gigs. They sold out their first Northeast run of shows in New York and Philadelphia last year.
The band kicks off their 31-date tour on February 15th with a show in their hometown of Seattle. The tour, which lasts until late May, criss-crosses the country coming as close to New Orleans as Nashville and Atlanta. Let’s hope they dip on down to New Orleans sooner than later.
