People often find it hard to categorize the music of Trampled by Turtles. Is it bluegrass? Not quite. Is it folk? Not quite that either. TBT’s songs vary from angst-ridden barn-burners that border on punk-rock, to sweet, slow, country (and not-so-country) laments. When asked, the band doesn’t seem to care what you call them. Alt-bluegrass, non-traditional bluegrass, it’s best to just listen for yourself. Trampled by Turtles is Dave Simonett (guitar), Tim Saxhaug (bass), Dave Carroll (banjo), Erik Berry (mandolin), and Ryan Young (fiddle). They call Duluth, MN home, but have spent the last five years taking this music across the country, playing in venues ranging from raging basement parties to places like The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and New York’s Bowery Ballroom. Finding their appeal extended beyond the traditional “bluegrass crowd”, they’ve opened for and toured with the likes of Low, Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, and Pedro the Lion. They have also found a loyal following at festivals such as 10,000 Lakes, Wakarusa, Rothbury, and Pickathon. “They are, simply put, perhaps the best live band in the state.” – The Onion, October 14th 2007. With their new release, Duluth, Trampled by Turtles returns to a raw, live feel. With most of the material recorded live in the studio, the album takes on the quality of a live show, with minimal and tasteful production. Minnesota music guru Rich Mattson was once again brought in to produce and the album was recorded partially in Minneapolis and in his studio in the abandoned mining community of Sparta, MN. "Their most recent release, Duluth, was recorded primarily live in the studio with minimal overdubs and it mirrors the raw intensity of their live performances, which are sure to leave audiences simultaneously raising hell and crying in their beers." - Artvoice, Buffalo, NY Jan 2009.