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The Devil Makes Three is an Americana band that got started in Santa Cruz, California back in 2002. TDM3 as they’re known by consists of three members, guitarist Pete Bernhard, upright bassist Lucia Turino, and guitarist and tenjor banjo player Cooper McBean. Their music blends bluegrass, country, folk, blues, jazz, and ragtime music all in one. The group is coming to Minneapolis on January 11, 2018, at First Avenue. We had a chance to talk to Pete to discuss their music and their upcoming shows.
I asked Pete how they all met and what gives them inspiration for their music. Pete said “they got together out in Santa Cruz. They’re all from the same town in Vermont but they were all out in Santa Cruz for different reasons.” It’s interesting how people from the same place can meet up for various reasons all the way across the country and it can change all their lives going forward. Regarding their inspiration, Pete mentioned that they’re all “big fans of great musicians that have come before them.” TDM3 are musicians at heart and have a big appreciation for musical talent. Their appreciation for music and their “life experiences in general” give them ideas to write music.
TDM3 has released four albums to date. The first three were all originals, the last album was all covers. Pete said they “have grown as individuals since 2002 and now they play all sorts of different instruments and have a full band now.” This gives them the ability to take their music in any direction they want to in the future. Pete mentioned they have done a lot of touring around the US and they would like to branch into Europe and do three or four tours over there. After this current North American tour, they are heading down to Texas to record a new album.
The group recently started Kahn Records to produce albums for other musicians. TDM3’s upcoming album will be released by their label New West Records. They have a good relationship with New West and want to continue that going forward. They started Kahn specifically to help other artists.
The band recently announced a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater on Friday, May 25, 2018. Pete said they’re ecstatic about this show. He said Red Rocks is his “favorite place to play in the US. You need to go as a fan whether you see a show or not. So many great people have played there and the sound is amazing.” You can bet they will be playing some of their new music at this show.
TDM3 was here in Minnesota for a show in January of last year as well. That made me ask, why would you want to tour in Minnesota two years in a row in January? It’s cold here! He said “We’re from Vermont so the weather is similar to Minnesota. We enjoy the chance to get out and winter is not really a time you want to be home. We want to enjoy the summer time off.” As Minnesotans we can definitely relate to that. We like to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. That is one of the reasons they moved back to Vermont. “It’s a much slower paced environment, which we enjoy now,” Pete said.
Tickets to the show are available through this link http://thedevilmakesthree.com/tour/. Pete said fans will have something new to look forward to on this tour. They’re going to be playing some new music for everyone. Pete also had high praises for the Duluth, Minnesota native band Trampled by Turtles. Pete said “We love Trampled by Turtles. We’ve played with them in the past and would love to play with them again.” That sounds like it’d be a great collaboration. We hope to see everyone at First Avenue on Thursday, January 11.