SMI Artist Spotlight: Tumbleweed Wanderers roll into Nectar Lounge (Audio Interview and Photos)

Tumbleweed Wanderers backstage at Nectar Lounge (Photo by Dan Rogers)

This Oakland quartet was born four decades late, but it’s never too late for well-crafted music produced with low-tech analog gear.

In a parallel universe, in a house nestled behind the trees in Laurel Canyon, California… Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, The Mamas and The Papas made a baby, and named it Tumbleweed Wanderers. 

The band’s late 60’s and early 70’s pop sound is resonating with a generation of fans whose grandparents were raised on that music.

High school chums Jeremy Lyon (vocals, guitar, harmonica) and Zak Mandel-Romann (vocals, bass, guitar) joined forces with Patrick Glynn (piano, organ, mandolin), Daniel Blum (drums) and Bobby Lawrence (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica) to create an authentic retro sound, with strong arrangements and lush harmonies.

The boys got their start by putting on loud and energetic acoustic shows outside of Bay Area concert venues. As it turns out, they continue delighting audiences with spontaneous busking shows when they’re off the road, too.

Tumbleweed Wanderers rolled into town last Friday (2/1) to play a show at the Nectar Lounge. SMI contributor Dan Rogers chatted with the band backstage prior to their show, and you can hear their conversation by clicking below.