Miss Tess and the Talkbacks will perform at the Sunflower Theatre on Valentine’s Day, Sunday Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.
Infused with classic country and honky-tonk, southern blues, New Orleans jazz and swing, and sounds of swamp pop and early rock n’ roll, Miss Tess and her band take pride in that they are able to blend so many different styles of American roots music and call it their own.
Miss Tess: “I think we do bring new sounds to the table. I’m trying to figure out how we do that. Our ears have been informed by different things than the people who were living back then. We’re not actively trying to copy anything. We’re making fresh arrangements, kind of taking the feeling, style, and soul from some of this older music that we like.”
She says lately the band has taken a turn towards more of a groove. “The newer stuff has been more early rock and roll, some Chuck Berry influence, some Doug Sahm,” she says. “I think lately we’ve been interested in dance music, something with a beat, a groove, something that makes you want to shake around.”
Currently based in Nashville, Tess and her band seem to be both from everywhere and nowhere, Between the fusion of their musical styles and constant shows on the road, they are the embodiment of everything that is still home-grown America.
Doors and cash bar open at 6:15. Tickets are $14 online at www.sunflowertheatre.org. Remaining tickets will go for $17 at the door. The Sunflower Theatre is located at Main and Market streets in Cortez, Colorado, next to KSJD Community Radio.