Introducing...T BIRD & THE BREAKS: EP review and interview

T BIRD & THE BREAKS – Untitled EP – 2008 - EP review/download & interview
TRACKS:
1. Take Time (Download)
2. Plenty Of Soul (Download)
3. Sunday On My Own (Download)
SOUNDBITE: 'You can tell me if you like it baby/ With lots of love and plenty of soul..'
RATING: 5/5
Got soul? Don’t worry – you will after you’ve heard T Bird & The Breaks - they've got enough for themselves, you and pretty much anyone else. Hailing from Austin Texas, the band's untitled EP kicks off with Take Time which has a fast-paced break, horn stabs, female backing vox and nods to Wilson Pickett. The aptly named Plenty Of Soul is a wicked bass-heavy low-slung groove and Sunday On My Own is the tremoloed out slow one – like something off the latest Sharon Jones/ Dap Kings long player. One thing is clear, lead vocalist Tim Crane has got mad vocal skills - which is just as well if you’re going to do soul - there's bluesy rasp to his voice and his extensive range is shown to maximum effect on Plenty Of Soul. So there you go: cool name, cool EP and a cool attitude – they’re giving the EP away after all – Monkeyboxing spoke to the band to find out what it’s all about and…found out that, despite plenty of soul, they were a band of few words...
Monkeyboxing (MB): Actually what is that about? If you’re giving away the EP what do you do for a crust – there’s quite a lot of you to feed aren’t there?

T-Bird & The Breaks (TBB): The crust hasn't come...but it will. We pay the band in Miller Highlife.

MB: Ok – call it vintage RnB, call it old school RnB, call it funky soul – but whatever you call it there’s a massive resurgence going on at the moment – that can’t all be due to Mark Ronson’s obsession with horns can it?

TBB: Nope.

MB: So who do you rate on the current funk and soul scene in the states and beyond…and who do you rate outside of the funk and soul scene?

TBB: Anything from Daptone (Brooklyn) The Greyhounds (ATX) The Rabid Labia, James Hunter, All Spermed Out, The Sweet Divines.

MB:The EP is a solid trio of well-produced tracks – who was on production duties?

TBB: Cosby Team Tri-Osby.

MB: According to your myspace, you’re not yet signed – what are your plans for the future, is there an album on the cards?

TBB: We're working on an album right now. The LP is going to be called "Learn About It" and so far, we have no label. Of course, with the music business changing so much, we may never need a label.....maybe just a distribution deal.

MB: I notice you guys rock full authentic soul threads on stage – is that an offstage thing as well?

TBB: Yes.

MB: Just one last question – I assume everyone in the band has plenty of soul - but who has the most?

TBB: Hummingbird Cosby.

MB: Nice one - thanks for your time – good luck with everything – hope it all goes really well!
RELATED LINKS:
T-Bird & The Breaks - Myspace