Krakauer & Tagg’s Good Vibes Explosion is a touring project that was born in the midst of the pandemic lockdowns of 2020. Conceived and created by Grammy-nominated “ebullient clarinet wizard” (Time Out NY) David Krakauer and multi-instrumentalist/producer Kathleen Tagg, this project showcases a multi-generational/high-octane group of collaborators from very different backgrounds, hailing from the USA, Canada, Iran and South Africa.
Together they embrace the diversity of today’s America through their unique take on a multitude of traditional roots musics, bringing their enormous musical and cultural diversity to the project and collaborating to create powerful original material. Old forms are celebrated both by bringing them into a 21st century sound-world and expanding the context to make room for new stories.
Featured on shows such as NPR’s Morning Edition and Radio France International (RFI) Sessions Live, this project was created in response to the current climate of polarization that pervades our daily lives. In these uncertain times, it’s a chance to come together to celebrate our common humanity and foster joy, positivity and togetherness.
Their album, Mazel Tov Cocktail Party, has received rave reviews across North America and Europe:
France’s Le Monde says: “a breath of fresh air, an incentive to dance…In the face of the overwhelming negativity and alarming rise of hatred and intolerance in today’s world, let’s breathe and dance together…More than a suggestion, an injunction”
Roots World says: “An informal cocktail party typically lasts a few hours, and this one ends all too soon. 5 stars”
They have performed at venues that include Paris’ famed 2000-seater Théâtre du Châtelet and Vienna’s Porgy & Bess Club, and in venues large and small in France, Holland, Austria and the USA.
Krakauer’s klezmer-influenced clarinet leads the way along with Tagg’s quirky keys, electronics, electric cello & production; Martin Shamoonpour’s high-energy contributions on daf, riq, darbuka, jaw harp and flutes; Jerome Harris’ driving bass lines and vocals; rapper and singer Sarah MK’s evocative vocals in Québécois French and English; and Yoshie Fruchter’s wailing oud and electric guitar. In addition, electronic beats by Jeremy Flower, Socalled and Selwa Abd (aka Bergsonist) round out the sound for layering with the live performance.The project was initially created in isolation, individually and remotely in living rooms and basements in New York, upstate NY and Canada- with band members meeting in person for the first time a year after the project was recorded and the music videos were made.
Their influences are global, but the sound they create collectively has produced something uniquely their own. Familiar dance forms such as Polka or Square Dance never sounded this way before, with hand drumming, propulsive electronic beats, lyrics calling for catharsis and positivity, deep grooves and Krakauer’s wailing clarinet crying out for us to join together, celebrate and feel the power in our aliveness.
David Krakauer, clarinet and vocals
Kathleen Tagg, producer, piano, keyboard, accordion, cello and sampler/electronics (Bella’s Calypso)
Sarah MK, rap vox and vocals
Yoshie Fruchter, electric guitar and oud
Jerome Harris, electric bass and vocals
Martin Shamoonpour, daf and jaw’s harp
