Rubblebucket

Formation

Musical couple Alex Toth (trumpet, band leader) and Kalmia Traver (vocals, saxophone) first met at the University of Vermont where they were both enrolled as music majors. Upon graduating in 2006, they joined the reggae group John Brown's Body and began touring the United States.

Toth had been developing a dance band that merges psychedelic indie rock, upbeat dance, and left field arrangements. In June 2007, the pair met percussionist Craig Myers; the improvised music they made at a party was arranged and elaborated on to become the first contribution to the band's repertoire.

Career

In March 2008, Rubblebucket self-released their debut album, Rose's Dream, under the name Rubblebucket Orchestra and began to tour full-time. They were chosen by SPIN Magazine as a "Must-hear artist from the 2009 CMJs."[2] On October 13, they released their second studio album, self-titled, and officially changed their name to Rubblebucket. In December, they won a Boston Music Award for Live Act of the Year.[3]

In 2010, Rubblebucket appeared at festivals such as High Sierra, All Good Music Festival, and the Liberate Music and Dance Festival. On October 19, 2010, they released their Triangular Daisies EP; it included a cover of the Beatles' "Michelle", which Paste Magazine named on their list of 50 Greatest Beatles Covers of All Time.[4] In Spring 2011, Rubblebucket released their third full-length album, Omega La La. It was recorded at DFA studios and produced by Eric Broucek and mastered by Joe Lambert.[5] On April 4, 2011, the band released it as a free download before the physical release on June 21 through MRI Distribution. Promotional performances for the album included an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2012.[6] In 2013, Rubblebucket collaborated with Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tuneyards singer Merrill Garbus, Angelique Kidjo and poet Akua Naru to create a new compilation album for Fela Kuti’s Lady. In 2014, Rubblebucket served as Arcade Fire’s “The Reflektors” at the Glastonbury Festival. Customary to most Aracde Fire’s shows, “The Reflecktors” wear massive paper-mache heads as a fake out to fans.

In 2014, Rubblebucket recorded with John Congleton and signed with Communion Records to release Survival Sounds. Paste said about the record, "Survival Sounds should be a victory lap." The album's reception was positive, gaining the support of many online publications and radio stations, such as NPR's Tiny Desk. "Came Out Of A Lady" was featured in feature film Drinking Buddies. While on tour, singer Annakalmia Traver was diagnosed with [1st stage, clear-cell] Ovarian Cancer, and underwent and completed treatment while on tour. Rubblebucket has announced a Spring tour across the United States, with support from Vacationer, set to begin March 2015. In 2015, Rubblebucket performed at the BAM Opera House Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell in New York City along with other leading Indie luminaries such as, Cults, Devonte Hynes, Arcade Fire and much more.

On October 8th, 2016 Rubblebucket performed at Radio City Music Hall with Brooklyn’s multi-genre band, Lake Street Dive.

Band members

Touring Members

Discography

Band Interviews