Local Listens: Justin Trawick of the Justin Trawick Group
Welcome to Local Listens, where we profile some of our favorite Washington musicians. This week, we shine the spotlight on the Justin Trawick Group.
By
Jesseka Kadylak
Photo by Joseph Allen.
The folk-rock group the Justin Trawick Group is led by mastermind Trawick, who rocks out on acoustic guitar and lead vocals. He’s been playing in Washington for about five years, and during that time, the other musicians have rotated in and out. The current lineup is composed of Jean Finstad (upright bass), Ben Tufts (drums), Josh Himmelsbach (electric guitar/mandolin), Ken Wenzel (saxophone), and Malik Starx (rhymes). The band has an extended family of musicians who help out on fiddle, cello, and the like on occasion.
Early inspiration for Trawick’s music came from playing at a retirement home on Tuesday nights with the Loudon Bluegrass Association—a group of people who Trawick says were four times his age. With influences such as G. Love and Special Sauce and Joe Purdy, Trawick combines blues, funk, and rock to create a sound that can be sustained through solo shows or with a full band.
He says he plays a variety of shows with usually one other member. “Most of the time it’s at least Jean and I,” he says of his upright bassist. “We have a good rapport onstage. But if we want to get the blood pumping and the crowd dancing, we add the rest of the guys: drums, sax, electric guitar, mandolin, rappers, and backup vocals.”
In the past, Trawick juggled a day job and an evening music career, but he finally quit the job to focus on music. Since then, he’s had time to record with some of his band members in South Carolina, and today he’ll present the final product—Starting Over—at the group’s CD release show at Iota.
If you can’t make it there, don’t fret: The group has shows lined up in Washington through March.
Learn more about Trawick in our Q&A below.
Name: Justin Trawick.
Age: 27.
Hometown: “Leesburg, Virginia . . . yes, where the outlet malls are.”
First song that made you want to play music:
“ ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ by the Rolling Stones—by the way, the best driving song ever.”
First instruments:
“Piano and saxophone. Well, actually, the recorder was between those two.”
Local spot to seek inspiration or write music:
“A coffee shop somewhere or 3 AM on my bed at home in Arlington.”
Best local venue:
“Iota Club and Café in Arlington.”
Best bar to hear music:
“Iota has a bar.”
Favorite local band other than your own:
“These United States. They’re amazing. Oh, and Vandaveer and Last Train Home.”
Best thing about Washington’s music scene:
“There are lots of places to play.”
Worst thing about Washington’s music scene:
“They’re just not all on one street like in Austin.”
Craziest tour memory:
“We drove out to a show in West Virginia once to find out that the venue had gone out of business that morning. There was also the time that we were late to the show at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia. Being late to a show in the mountains and driving on roads with hairpin turns at night in the winter is really a bad idea and something we don’t try to do on a regular basis due to the fact that it’s very detrimental to your health. Wow, two stories from West Virginia.”
Finish this sentence: “When not making music, you can find me . . .”
“. . . drinking coffee, watching 24, Lost, and Heroes, and going to concerts . . . and drinking more coffee.”
Rolling Stones or Beatles?
“Rolling Stones, of course!”
Digital download or hard copy?
“Both. Buy the hard copy and put it on my iPod.”
Rolling Stone or Spin?
“Rolling Stone, of course!”
Club show or festival?
“Both.”
If you could listen to only one album for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?
“Only one album? Well, it would have to be Jim Gaffigan’s Beyond the Pale. (You didn’t say it couldn’t be a comedy album!) Whenever we’re on tour, we listen to hours and hours of standup comedy. It helps pass the time and keeps us from killing each other.”
What’s the best thing about being in a band?
“Free food. Oh, and yes, we get to make music for a living . . . but really, the free food.”
When introducing your music to someone for the first time, what song do you play?
“My music spans a lot of different moods and styles, so when I play a song to someone for the first time it’s usually based on whomever I’m playing to and their background. You always have to judge your audience and play to them, or at least that’s what I do. Two years ago, we opened for the Ying Yang Twins (a hard-core Southern rap band) and so we played a bunch of upbeat, funky, hip-hop-type songs to a crowd who had never heard us before. Last summer, we opened for the Hackensaw Boys (a hard-core bluegrass band) and did an entire bluegrass set.”
What goals do you have for the group in 2009?
“Find a booking agent and a manager.”
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Category Tags: Music, Interviews
Comments
He’s promotes himself without even realizing it. Very selfish!!!
Posted by: jon, Feb 13, 2010 11:04:47 PM
I would like to say i just recently went to see the Justin Trawick Group live at the Purple Fiddle. I was astounded by the passion and fury by this guitarist/Singer. He has a unique touch in all his songs.I think this band is very uplifting with a group of fabulous talented musicians. It’s a guarantee not to stay in your seat show. I encourage you to see them live and buy a CD,you won’t be disappointed!
Posted by: Belinda- WV Fan, Jan 27, 2009 09:10:30 PM
The Justin Trawick Group is such a great band of very talented artists and down to earth people with spunk. I have to admit that the first time I heard them I never thought I would be a fan of their universal sound and I couldn’t help but fall in love, especially with the song, "Untitled" which is in it’s own a masterpiece because of the fact that it isn’t defined by a title or stamped with a feeling that the audience is supposed to endure. Fantastic show at IOTA!
Posted by: JTG Fan, Jan 27, 2009 08:26:31 PM
glad to see justin get some more press. also enjoyed the ontap article about him a few months ago.
Posted by: b-rad, Jan 25, 2009 07:29:49 PM
I would like to first congratulate Justin on his new album and taking that plunge into doing music full time. That is one of the scariest leaps of faith that any artist has to make. I remember quitting my job to pursue comedy, I still twitch when I think about it.
And Jessika, I would like to thank you for taking some time with a very deserving talent. Justin Trawick is a lot of things, and on the top of that list is a tireless artist. His passion for his music is rivaled only by his determination to succeed. I find his music to be not only original, but moving to people who have come to experience the Justin Trawick Band. And for anyone who has seen him live will tell you, whether it is just him and Jean or the whole ensemble, his music sticks with you and there is no substitute for seeing his performance live.
It is with great pleasure that would recommend Justin to anyone who reads this article and wonders who he is. All I can tell you is "Go see him live now while you can! Don’t wait until I have to say I told ya so!"
Posted by: Mikey 2 Shoes, Jan 25, 2009 06:12:21 PM
i first heard justin play at vermilion in old town alexandria a month before i left arlington and moved to philly... why did i move?! i was there with a friend to grab a few drinks, and as an added bonus got to hear some really great live music that night... after his set, he was down-to-earth enough to come over and introduce himself... i was psyched that cds were available to buy that night as well... i dont think "how to build a life with a lemonade stand" left my car cd player for a long long time... and luckily ive been able to see him many more times by taking trips to baltimore and dc... and when he plays philly (which needs to be more often), i always bring friends so they dont miss out on hearing an amazing original artist... and the instruments and styles of the songs that change with each performance are just awesome!!! im a big fan and love his latest cd! if you live in dc you should be so lucky to be able to catch a show!
Posted by: PhillyGirl, Jan 25, 2009 05:18:57 PM
I have seen the Justin Trawick Group several times over the past few months. The energy is always infectious and on top of the music being quite danceable, all of the guys in the band are really sweet. It is usually a little bit of a drive for me to go and see them, but I have never been disappointed. His shows are full of good music, lovely people, and lots of smiles :) Always a good time!
Posted by: Megan, Jan 25, 2009 05:04:43 PM
Thanks for highlighting such a talented artist and group! They are always such a pleasure to see live. I’m so excited for the new album!!!
Posted by: Excited for talent, Jan 25, 2009 04:48:36 PM
I’ve been hip to these guys for a couple years now, and they keep getting better and better. Fun times and a real treat, if you get a chance to see them live? Go, Go, Go! ... and Bring your dancing shoes.
Posted by: JTG Fan, Jan 25, 2009 04:36:42 PM
Well he has a lot of fans, seeing as Iota was sold out at 9:45pm with a long waiting list of people wanting to get in to hear them play!
Posted by: Iota Fan, Jan 25, 2009 04:19:47 PM
I am guessing "Peeved" is convinced that they should be highlighted here as a genius...on Guitar Hero! If they can’t even spell the name of the author correctly, I bet they didn’t even take the time to listen to Justin’s music. Different music speaks to different people, but there is no need to be obnoxious about it!
Posted by: Peeved is whack AND on crack, Jan 25, 2009 04:04:25 PM
The band has that Jack Johnson feel-good attitude to it. My husband and I love chasing the band around the DC area through the summer. Great venues, too! Justin, it was AWESOME to hear you play last week!
Posted by: Peeved is Whack, Jan 25, 2009 03:12:43 PM
This guy’s a joke. "Mastermind" - are you KIDDING ME? His riffs are stolen and his songs are totally lame. Try reviewing someone with some actual talent next time, Jessica. Thanks.
Posted by: Peeved, Jan 23, 2009 01:41:09 PM
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