THE DIP - Love Direction Tour, Part II
Thursday, May 15th, 2025
7:00PM $27 adv / $30 DOS All Ages
The Dip is a Seattle-based Rhythm and Blues band that is known for its poignant songwriting, detailed arrangements, and vintage sound. Featuring a three-piece horn section, the group’s music harkens back to earlier soul and funk influences while hinting at the jazz foundations that brought the band’s members together. Along with singer and guitarist Tom Eddy, bassist Mark Hunter and drummer Jarred Katz are equally at home in a tight-pocketed groove as they are spacious free-improvisation. Trumpet player Brennan Carter joined by saxophonists Evan Smith and Levi Gillis serve as the band’s melodic counterpoint, playing off Eddy’s vocals to create a distinct sonic character that has drawn in millions of listeners to date.
‘Love Direction’, the follow-up to 2022’s ‘Sticking With It’ (which landed at #1 on the Billboard Current R&B Albums Chart) is the band’s fourth full-length studio album and second for Dualtone Records, due out 7/12/24. This new record is the sound of the band taking their next step forward. The interplay of old and new is on full display throughout the album; and, the group augments their classic sound with an expanded instrumentation throughout. Eddy says of the album’s inspiration: “As you get further along in a relationship, sometimes you lose your way. The things that came easily in the beginning get hard. The love is still there, it’s just that people and life are complicated. Sometimes you don’t have the tools in the toolbox to figure out what you need to do to support the other person, so you have to get help and ask for directions.”
Still, despite the title, this latest record isn’t a collection of straightforward love songs, but an investigation into the different angles and challenges that relationships can bring. Expanding on the album’s theme, Eddy further notes “These aren’t ‘Love Songs’ in the most obvious sense. They deal with the middle stages, the hinterlands of love and life together – figuring someone out and what they need, learning how to communicate, and examining your own faults. We set out to write music that felt more grown, a little wiser. The songs that emerged all pointed in the Love Direction.”
Their last album cycle saw the band headline and sell-out shows at iconic venues across the country. They have also had the opportunity to support new friends like Lake Street Dive and The Black Pumas, while also appearing at major festivals including Bonnaroo and Outside Lands. No strangers to the road, this new album represents a reflection on the band’s touring gravitas as well as the promise of a new destination appearing on the horizon. Directions now in hand, The Dip is looking forward to furthering this exploration into all matters of the heart by bringing this expansive and detailed new recording to life in their next travels together.
Parlor Greens
Perhaps one of the most exciting and anticipated projects in the world of heavy instrumental music is Parlor Greens, a fresh organ trio on Colemine Records! You could say that Parlor Greens are greater than the sum of their parts…however, the individual parts are simply stellar on their own. Tim Carman (GA-20) on drums, Jimmy James (True Loves, formerly Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio) on guitar, and Adam Scone (Scone Cash Players, The Sugarman 3) on organ.
Scone is perhaps the most tasteful living organist on planet Earth (and beyond) and to watch him play is to truly watch a master at work. He bends the organ to his will like a true mastercraftsman. He’s a veteran of the soul revival scene, having played on many Daptone recording sessions since their inception, but also has learned from some of the legends of soul jazz: Melvin Sparks and The Turbanator himself Dr. Lonnie Smith. Jimmy James needs no introduction to many as he’s been seen all over the world performing with instrumental groups The True Loves and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. Perhaps the most dangerous right hand in all of soul music, his signature funky approach can be identified by even the most novice of music fans, a feat most musicians could only dream of. Tim Carman. The backbone. The pocket. Having cut his teeth touring the world with blues group GA-20, Carman’s expertise in the world of blues shuffles might make him an unlikely candidate to lay the foundation for the funky Parlor Greens, but this debut LP shows otherwise. Steady, heavy pockets and as funky as they come.
Parlor Greens started off as an idea before it even had a name. Carman had been chatting with Colemine label boss Terry Cole about their shared love for organ combo records of yesterday on labels like Blue Note and Prestige. Cole said he’d love to have an organ trio be the first project at the label’s new studio, Portage Lounge, located in Loveland, Ohio. So when Carman tapped James and Scone for the session, the stage was set. Carman and Cole had started work a day early to dial in the drum sound, so when the rest of this murderer’s row arrived they hit the ground running. It was instant chemistry. Within the first ten minutes of everyone plugging in, a song was written and recorded, “West Memphis”. And over the next three days, these three maestros conducted a beautiful and soulful symphony straight to tape. As natural and fun as three old friends getting together after a long absence, only this was the first time they had written and performed together. True magic.
So this is the result of that session. Eleven cuts. Ten originals. Two sides. All killer, no filler. Straight to the old reliable Tascam 388 tape machine, mixed up nice and dirty for your enjoyment. Parlor Greens are proud to present their debut long player, In Green / We Dream.
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DIGITAL SINGLES
West Memphis –
It’s not often the start of a new project or band is explicitly documented, but in the case of Parlor Greens it absolutely is. “West Memphis” is the first thing that Jimmy James (True Loves), Adam Scone (Scone Cash Players / Sugarman 3), and Tim Carman (GA-20, Tim Carman Trio) played when they entered the Colemine studio in Loveland, OH. What started as a jam on a guitar riff from Jimmy quickly evolved into a melody from him, a blistering organ stab from Scone, and Tim fell into a laid back boogaloo beat. And so in real time, Parlor Greens was born. Enjoy this funky instrumental slab from these veterans of the scene at peak prowess on their respective instruments.
In Green We Dream
First single announcing Parlor Greens’ debut LP, In Green / We Dream.
The title track from the debut LP by Parlor Greens, Colemine’s newest instrumental juggernaut! “In Green We Dream” really serves as a perfect sonic cross section of the record. A memorable and catchy melody, great concise solos from both organ and guitar, a drum break, and some tight little hits at the end put a bow on this stellar debut album. .This is the first of 3 forthcoming LPs on Colemine by Parlor Greens, who are already receiving support at radio from BBC, KEXP, and KCRW. Targeting all things in the funky and instrumental spaces.
Sugar Maple –
Second single from Colemine’s newest instrumental juggernaut, Parlor Greens! “Sugar Maple” showcases gritty production on this driving, soulful waltz from the trio. The organ takes the lead with Jimmy James on guitar complimenting beautifully on tremolo guitar. Whimsical, soulful vibes for days on this one. [Press/radio goes here]. Targeting all things on the funkier side of jazz.
Driptorch –
The focus track of Parlor Greens’ debut LP, In Green / We Dream, a new highly anticipated project from heavyweights (Jimmy James, Adam Scone, Tim Carman) of the instrumental funk/jazz scene. Gritty, classic sounding organ trio funk is the order of the day. Targeting all things in the funky and instrumental spaces.
