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Ten Speed Taxi
By Bertha Venation* (unofficial taxi biographer)
Ten Speed Taxi is a hardworking group. Fresh from the success of their latest CD**, Spinning, the North Country quartet is planning to re-enter EudiePhil Studios to record another CD of all-original tunes.
"We had too many songs for our last album, so we need to do another," says principal song writer and guitarist, Dan Caldwell.
With a growing fan base and a regular gig at LaCasbah in Potsdam, Ten Speed Taxi is gaining momentum. The band recently changed its name from Sundog, in part to increase visibility on iTunes and CDBaby.
"But it is still the same great music," says drummer and band leader Phil Neisser.
The band plays original music that has been described as "barroom songs for thoughtful people". Themes explored in their songs range from love and loss, intimate desire, crippling depression and down home good times. Their music is not out of place on college radio and has garnered a loyal following with local college students. Songs from their CD Spinning, as well as from their first CD, True to Gone, have become essential downloads, according to Dylan S.*** (one of Phil's advisees).
"Taxi rocks hard and is a local favorite," he says.***
Forming as a trio in 2007, Neisser, Caldwell and local artist and Nashville native Doug Schatz on lead guitar, performed as Sundog. The addition of genius bass player Dave Nelson breathed new life into the band, reinvigorating stale songs and stripping down technically ingenious bass lines to real simple, memorable, almost too-easy rhythms.
"Without Dave, we'd suck," says Caldwell****. "Dave keeps us on task and never forgets a riff. He is a real asset to us as a musician, and as a man."
"I love him," adds Schatz. "No, I mean, I love him."
"Who?" Nelson asks of the group. "Oh yeah. Yeah."
Ten Speed Taxi plans a spring tour in support of Spinning, which they report is selling well*, reflecting strong local interest in the group. As the band branches out to areas beyond the North Country, via the internet and an ever-widening fan base, they are resolved to continue their commitment to local North Country charities through benefit concerts and fund-raisers. In fact, the group has been asked to play at the White House***** at a benefit for some noble cause.
"Yep," says Schatz, a devout evangelical Catholic******, with a heavy world-weary sigh. "I am stuck in the North Country. I may never leave here."
Ten Speed Taxi delivers local music, for a good cause or for the benefit of your own earholes. Spinning, their latest release, is available at several local establishments and online at www.TenSpeedTaxi.com.
Footnotes:
*Pen Name of Helena Handbasket
**1 CD sold at CD release event
***He didn't really say this, but I know he thinks it
****I think it may have been Dave who said this
*****on rt 68, across from Sully's motors and body shop
******Not so much
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