PRINCEVILLE — Toubab Krewe — the vibrant Ashville, N.C.-based quintet — brings its unique, powerful and worldly sound to Princeville’s Church of the Pacific Saturday.
Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe “creates a sonic Pangea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more,” according to the band’s biography. “While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.”
Krewe member Drew Heller — who provides his talents on guitar, piano and fiddle — said one way to describe the group’s music is “international country,” with both dance and song traditions, dating back to the band’s days playing in kitchens, on front porches and at backyard barn parties.
“Western North Carolina meets Western Africa,” he said. “It’s dance music and it’s also good listening music.”
“A futuristic, psychedelic, neo-griot frenzy,” is how the Village Voice summed up the group, which includes Justin Perkins (Kora, Kamelngoni, guitar, percussion), Vic Stafford (drums, congas), Drew Heller (guitar, piano, fiddle), David Pransky (bass, guitar) and Luke Quaranta (Djembe, percussion).
Saturday’s concert will mark Toubab Krewe’s first time on Kaua‘i, as well as the band’s most westerly performance to date, according to Heller.
“We’re really looking forward to heading over to Kaua‘i for the first time,” he said. “It’s our first time in Hawai‘i, period. It’s quite a thrill for us.”
In addition to here, the group held formal shows on O‘ahu and Maui. There have also been a number of sporadic, informal jam sessions to break out on the beach, according to Heller.
“This is not remotely a normal type of feeling of being on tour,” he said. “It’s a dream being out here.”
The group was scheduled to fly to Kaua‘i Wednesday and spend a week exploring all the island has to offer.
“We’ve heard so much about Kaua‘i … about it being the oldest, most lush (island),” Heller said. “We’re excited to get in the forest. I know that’s one thing we all want to do … We’re from the mountains in North Carolina.”
Tickets for Toubab Krewe’s intimate, one-night-only performance cost $20 at the door. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at Princeville’s Church of the Pacific.
Call 635-5556 for more information.
