If you are a fan of My Morning Jacket, Nada Surf, or Band of Horses you should check out the Boston band, Tulsa. They are one of the better lo-fi bands I’ve heard recently. The band offers a wide variety of sound throughout their debut, I was Submerged, from more mellow tracks like “Breath In”and “Shaker” (my two personal favorites) to grungier based songs, such as “Mass.”
The few reviewers I have found for this relatively unknown band were all fascinated by the fact that the band is not from Oklahoma. Not me. I think it makes perfect sense that the bands name is Tulsa. You see–Tulsa is in Oklahoma, and the Flaming Lips are from Oklahoma…and the Flaming Lips have performed in Boston…..which is umm..where Tulsa is from. Oh right, also, Rufus Wainwright has a song entitled “Tulsa” on Release the Stars, where he sings “you taste like potato chips in the morning,” and Cape Cod chips are produced in Massachusetts…which is where Boston is located….which is umm..where Tulsa is from. Clearly I know nothing about this band’s biography.
Tulsa was actually named after a book of photographs by Larry Clark. According to the band’s website, this book contains images of people with whom Clark grew up, who, in his opinion, epitomized apathy. Band members include Carter Tanton (lead singer/guitarist), Greg Hatem (drums), Marc Pinansky (guitarist), and Erik Wormwood (bassist.Wormwood..Wainwright. Coincidence? I think not). They formed in Boston, after the Tanton moved there from Baltimore, where he had a solo career (Birds & Rain). They are signed to Park the Van Records.
Fun Fact: According to an interview Tanton did with paperthinwalls, the song shaker is named shaker because “Greg shakes a shaker in ‘Shaker,’ and like Dinosaur Jr., we put absolutely no thought into song titles.”
I was Submerged (2007):
wow. nice. i think.
I like it.
The first 45 seconds of Shaker are kind of heartstopping. It sounds like a movie.
Well done David! The site is growing, as expected! keep it up guys.
thanks for the post. this band is fantastic! i just noticed that the band member names are different to those on the label website (where it reads: “Tulsa is: Carter, Erik, Mikey”). your post might be more current… where did you get your information from?
Hello friends,
In response to the last post, our line-up has undergone some changes. Marc and Greg are no longer performing with us, but are each kicking ass in their own rights. We know have our buddy Mikey holland on the drums and we are pretty psyched with our new line-up. We hope to see all of you soon!
ERik from Tulsa
I love Tulsa,but I can’t buy the Album “I Was Submerged” because I live in Germany and only in America you can buy it… I heard that the album contains the lyrics of every song… Does anyone have the lyrics of “Shaker” or “Rafter”? I can’t find it at the internet..
Who ever wrote this bio cracked me up. I would like to know if by any chance there is any connection to this band having a show Salt Lake City. Since of course, Band of Horses has a song about the Great Salt Lake and they were mentioned on this site (Really I am just trying to help with the thread of geography and the band along with the association of other bands).
I love, loved, LOVE these guys but where o’ where didi they go? One of the few bands that I often listen to, and miss…
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