The Fast and the Focused

“I love that comparison,” Turkuaz’s Dave Brandwein says while discussing the Brooklyn nine-piece’s likeness to Talking Heads. “I think Talking Heads represent sort of the pinnacle of that other side [of the music world] to us.” Turkuaz’s rapid ascension to relevance can be aptly compared to how fast and focused they play onstage. The first time they ever played together in 2008, the members of Turkuaz unexpectedly performed for 1,000 people at Berklee College of Music’s annual showcase. “A friend of ours submitted one of the demos we made without us knowing,” the guitarist and bandleader explains.
“Berklee’s record label really liked it and insisted we perform on their annual showcase.” Six years and countless shows later, Turkuaz continue to hone their craft through relentless touring and experimentation, releasing two studio albums and two live albums along with a covers record (the first of multiple volumes) in that time since their first show. Now, the band readies their next release—Future 86 is due in April. But, as Brandwein explains, Turkuaz will continue earning their stripes on the road. “If you’re a good live band, you’ve got to get out and play. That’s really all there is to it.”