THE RAD TRADS Return to the Temple Theater in September
DES MOINES, IA — Hot on the heels of the release of their second full-length album, THE RAD TRADS will take the Temple Theater stage for one night only on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Based in New York City, THE RAD TRADS have gained the reputation as being one of New York’s most entertaining live bands.
Tickets to THE RAD TRADS can be purchased at DMPA.org, the Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at
515-246-2300.
Box Link to Assets:
https://app.box.com/s/coxwv3f400c3smjdplr3gmz5pcllse4f
Currently touring in anticipation of their second full-length album “On Tap,” New York City’s The Rad Trads are winning over audiences, gaining loyal fans, and defying classification. They’ve been described as “Wilco at the Circus,” “The Band meets Miles Davis, and “the greatest band you’ve never heard of.” Few can pin down their unique blend of Indie Rock, Americana, and Soul, but everyone agrees, “it’s a damn good time!”
Most commonly fans observe that they have never seen a band with five distinct lead vocalists. But it wasn’t long ago that many members of The Rad Trads hadn’t sung a note. As dedicated instrumentalists they moved to New York City from Portland, Chicago, and Maryland to go to conservatory and cut their teeth with the best musicians in the city. When they met in Greenwich Village it was their love of a good party, not the confines of a practice room that connected them—naturally, the party would soon move from the dorm room to the stage. With each show the music grew, the repertoire evolved, and each member decided it was their time to step up to the microphone and sing. Soon they developed a sound that was uniquely their own: a driving horn section, five lead vocalists, and an infectious punk rock energy that quickly made them one of the city’s most buzzed-about live acts.
With their first EP Self Help the Rad Trads explored the traditional blues forms of their beerhall roots and penned their first original songs. Following up with the full-length album Must We Call Them Rad Trads?, the band came into their own as songwriters and incorporated elements of folk rock into their brass-heavy sound.
Their newest release, “On Tap,” explodes into a completely new territory. Walls of horns and psychedelic guitars meld with lush acoustic arrangements laying an intricate foundation for songs that are funny, challenging, and well-crafted. The album’s lead single, Good Luck Unto Ya, is a soaring anthem of the bittersweet, exploring the pain and relief of cutting ties with a toxic person. Drummer John Fatum sings “Hallelujah, good luck unto ya, no need to shake my hand, no need to cry.” The emotional catharsis of the text is mirrored in the production of the song with a wall of sound of over 60 overdubbed tracks.
“On Tap” showcases a singular sound that reveals an exciting possibility: this band is ready to etch their names into a lineage that starts somewhere with Little Richard and Elvis Presley, passes through the Stones, Dylan, Lou Reed and the Boss and ends up in the present day grasping for tomorrow.
The Rad Trads have toured across four Continents, 15 countries, and 41 states, including opening for artists such as Lake Street Dive, Tom Jones, Charles Bradley, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, the Lone Bellow, and Margaret Glaspy. When not playing with The Rad Trads, members of the band have performed or recorded with artists such as St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Deer Tick, Sarah Jarosz, Buck Meek & Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief, Lee Fields & the Expressions, David Duchovony, and Christopher Paul Stelling.
For additional information about THE RAD TRADS, please visit DMPA.org.
About Des Moines Performing Arts
Des Moines Performing Arts is a private not-for-profit organization celebrating 40 seasons of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states on four stages in Des Moines – the Civic Center, the Stoner Theater, the Temple Theater and the newly renovated outdoor space, Cowles Commons. Des Moines Performing Arts is a presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is home to many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Willis Auto Campus. All performances at the Temple Theater are supported by Prairie Meadows. All performances of the Family Series are supported by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. For more information, visit DesMoinesPerformingArts.org.