Swing Nite with Miss Tess & The Talkbacks

Miss Tess says as a child her nights ended in music. Her parents would sing her to sleep with the gentle, tender sounds of American folk music, occasionally interrupted by their 30s swing band rehearsing in the basement. All grown up, her and her band The Talkbacks [Thomas Bryan Eaton on electric guitar, and a rotating cast on the bass and drums] regularly steal the show at venues with something a little rowdier and more eclectic. Infused with classic country and honky-tonk, southern blues, New Orleans jazz and swing, and sounds of swamp pop and early rock n’ roll, she and her band take pride they are able to blend so many different styles of American roots music and call it their own. Tess is not only very skilled on her own soloing guitar chops, but has been able to hand-pick some of the best accompanying musicians throughout the years as she has toured through all fifty states. Currently based in Nashville, Tess and her band seem to be both from everywhere and nowhere. Between the fusion of their musical styles and constant shows on the road, they are the embodiment of everything that it still home-grown in America.

Miss Tess & The Talkbacks have just released a brand new single, “One Match Fire”, on rootsy label Signature Sounds. The song was included on a 7” vinyl for this year’s Record Store Day. Showcasing a new exploration into a country-rock direction, this tune proves to be a catchy look into a new sound for the band. Their next full-length release is eagerly anticipated.

“One of the toughest things about camping is getting the fire started -- go without it, and you'll end up hungry and chilly. But real masters can get it done with a single match, and Miss Tess & The Talkbacks' ‘One Match Fire’ is a similar feat of excellence. A quick, sharp rhythm section drives the upbeat Americana tune, which ruminates on how it can be tough to kickstart a relationship and keep it going. The song even manages to recall both Karen Dalton and Fleetwod Mac in one swift sweep, and was born out of a real-life camping adventure.” – The Bluegrass Situation Song of the Week pick

Previously released albums by Miss Tess & The Talkbacks include The Love I Have For You, recorded and mixed by Devin Greenwood (Norah Jones, Anais Mitchell, Amos Lee) in Brooklyn, NY. The 7-song album features six covers and one new original and pays homage to some of Tess’s favorite singers and songwriters including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, Ted Hawkins, Randy Newman, and Hank Williams. Miss Tess explains how the band chose the 6 songs to cover: “Each artist we covered has held a special place in the history of our lives, as well as in the history of American music. These folks are all musical giants who dedicated their lives to music, and for that I hold them in the highest esteem.”