The Locksaw Cartel is a high energy, hard driving original ensemble featuring powerful clear vocals complimented with soaring guitar and piano leads. Formed in the fall of 2012, The Locksaw Cartel is formed of members who have been proficient in the missoula music scene for the last decade. Former projects of members have included Sweet low Down, Zeppo, The Flying Rickshaw, The Dead Me Downs, The iNHUMANS….
While the group has a home base of danceable funk and Rhythm & Blues, they also navigate through multiple genres in tight knit original compositions often blending one song into the next. Featuring Ruth Dada on lead vocals, Chris DuParri on guitar/lap steel/ vocals, Ed Wrzesien on Bass, Matt Mischke Drums/ Percussion/vocals, and Milan House on Keys.
Past projects have shared the stage with many big name acts including: Galactic, Bernie Worrell, WAR, The Jazz Mandolin Project, STYX, Collective Soul, The Big Wu, Ekoostic Hooka, Fat Mama …
Influences from Portishead, Ween, Billy Holiday, Clouddead, Miles Davis, Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Grant Green, Nirvana, Mccoy Tyner, Les Claypool, Morcheeba, Bonobo, all of the music from the late 60's through the 70's and many many more…