The Common 'Taters & the Turn-Ups

Based in Tallahassee, Florida, and founded by Michael Lewis, The Common 'Taters and the Turn-Ups are a "core" group of musicians (the 'Taters) doing "roots" music, originals and tasty down home covers, with special visiting artists (the Turn-Ups).

The ‘Taters’ style of playing draws from a variety of diverse sounds, features both electric and acoustic presentations of American roots music, and features three- and four-part harmonic vocals.

The ‘Taters perform covers as well as originals. While less well known, the covers chosen by the band are still danceable and sound familiar to those listening. Covers include songs whose style is based on Delta blues combined with the funky second line beat of New Orleans.

The idea for the ‘Taters unique acoustic-but-modern sound came from a song written by Mike entitled “Western Dance.” The song inspired Mike’s vision of the band’s percussion sounding like a mini-marching band--a drum line. The ‘Taters use a standard trap drum set at times, but also hand-played percussion instruments such as the frottoir (washboard), djembe, cajon, claves, and shakere.