Teacup and the Monster

The follwing is a write up from our dear friend Kelly Culpepper, thanks for everything- TATM The guys from Teacup & the Monster showed up around 20 minutes late. With the charming smiles of Tommy Kratzert, Brian Keyser, Jake and Josh Carnley, it’s hard to be frustrated. They walk inside and set their stuff down, make you laugh, comment on the National playing through the record player, and share your dinner. Jake and Josh Carnley have known each other since the womb (wink wink). The identical twins grew up in Fairhope, Alabama. Musical gifting runs in the family. Their uncle, Pete Carnley, and grandfather, George Wayne Carnley, both played and recorded in Nashville in their time. They have definitely passed the talent on. The boys started playing music at the age of 11. “When Jake got his guitar, it was just natural for me to pick up the drums, and jam with him,” says Josh. We all know there is something special about siblings and music, credit the Avett Brothers, the Kinks, the Carpenters, K-Ci & JoJo. Emotional bonds and telepathic tendencies, as well as confidence gained from a lifetime together, lends uniqueness to Teacup & the Monster. Their first influences range widely from The White Stripes “White blood Cells” to anything Garth Brooks. The boys met Brian in high school, and reunited in Auburn. Brian began playing bass in 3rd grade. His quiet first impression is misleading. It wasn’t until he picked up his instrument that I got to see his personality and role in the band. “Duke Ellington,” his smooth response when asked who first influenced him to play music. The other guys are sent into uproar with how bad he makes all their answers sound. “Mine is so lame.” Tommy was first influenced by DC Talk’s “Jesus Freak.” If you haven’t done it already, thank Mr. TobyMac for getting a guitar in Kratzert’s hands. We don’t care how it happened, Tommy, we’re just glad it did. Tommy started playing music 11 years ago in Ponte Verde, Florida. He met Jake and Josh while playing various shows and open mic nights around Auburn. A rafting trip in August of 2011 with a mutual friend down the Coosa River sparked the initiation of a band. “Ryan sucks at kayaking,” says Tommy. But he’s great at connecting talented musicians. The guys have been a part of other bands in the past, both here in Auburn and back in their home towns. This collaboration is different. “I genuinely enjoy the music we play, and there isn’t much pressure. We all have a lot of musical freedom and we want that for each other. There isn’t a leader… we’re all equal, so everyone contributes,” says Jake. That equality leaves room for mistakes and the grace that follows. “It’s okay to mess up, to not always get everything right.” says Tommy. Listening to the guys play, you get a sense of the freedom they’re referring to. There is a lot of style influences. It’s comfortable and not forced. And it has a really genuine, authentic personality. “We hang out more than we jam,” says Josh. While that seems like a given, being close friends and band mates is actually less common that you think. And the relationships are what make Teacup entertaining to watch. Finding a niche or specific genre isn’t really important to the guys. This makes it a challenge to define the character of the band. But not being tied down in style is actually what makes them so great and why I’m really excited to watch them grow. Musical influences in the present include Ryan Adams and Tom Petty, Pink Floyd and Derek Trucks Band, and Jon Foreman, on and on. I think the list grows just about every day. Faith is important influence not only to the writing, but the way the band plays their music. “God’s Word won’t come back void, neither will the music, the shows, and lyrics,” –Jake. “We want to affect people.” “When we play and when we hang out, we recognize God’s gifts. It makes it laid back, more carefree.” –Josh “This band is no different than leading worship. Its poisonous if it’s about us.” –Tommy “My purpose is to glorify the Lord, so I’m not presenting my own ideas and emotions. They are God-given.” –Brian. The individuals of Teacup and the Monster find their identity in their faith, and that will definitely be the identity source of the band as well. So why the name “Teacup and the Monster”? “This summer I gave my music over to God, and He gave it back. Then I had a dream about being in a band called Teacup and the Monster. So we started a band,” says Jake. The project is young, but Teacup is already recording. The plan is to “keep going if it keeps going.” Look out for more to follow.