ToasterBasket

TOAST OF THE TOWN

ToasterBasket are a local band offering an exciting blend of jazz, funk, Motown influences, soul and blues into a complicated - but navigable and exciting - sonic blend. I had heard quite an ear-to-the-ground buzz about this group and was pleased to learn they are celebrating an album release soon as well as a music video for a song called "Cigarettes For Satan"which they fittingly shot in a 130 year old church in Poughkeepsie.It seemed like now was a sensible time to pick their brain a little bit.
"We've been a band since about late 2016" says vocalist Jezebel Jeffrey. "Patrick Stokes and I met in Poughkeepsie and started writing music together. I wanted to start something rock 'n' roll oriented with some songs I had in my head since I was 21 years old."
"We met at My Place Pizza in 2016" affirms Stokes. "They used to have late night jam sessions there and we would just improvise. We decided to team up to start writing songs at our friends studio in Millbrook and rehearsing weekly to refine our sound as a band."
I was very pleased to learn that one of my favorite regional musicians, drummer Terry Hampton, was playing with the burgeoning group. I met Terry years ago when he was playing with Rosendale rap underground hero Bobby Delicious. So cool it is, to see Terry is still doing his thing with some new blood.
"We met Terry in Rosendale and loved his heavy pocket style of drumming and he liked our songs," say Stokes. "We are very grateful to have him playing with us."
Toast To Talent, the bands forthcoming record, has a physical release of May 11 and will be streaming and available for download soon after. The band's thrilled to have the products of their efforts arriving right around the bend.
"Its so nice to have such a danceable funky vibe and fun songs for people" says Jeffrey. "we are really excited for the shows we have coming up. We play Snug Harbor in New Paltz May 11 [with the Beautiful Bastards] and Quinn's in Beacon on May 18. We will be selling our EP at a reduced price for the release show and at Quinn's we will be releasing our music video."
Jezebel Jeffrey was raised on music as a child and forced to play piano, but gravitated more towards trumpet"
"I played up until l college and then didn't do anything with music for years" Jeffrey said. "It was bouts of depression and trying to figure myself out that strayed me from it. I started singing again at music festivals where i was staying at campgrounds and trying to be apart from society. I wrote lyrics and sang but never wanted anymore to do with it."
Jeffrey credits the impromptu meeting with Stokes with starting this new episode of musical life and believes that now music will play an important role for him forever. For Stokes it was more of a steady process that wasn't interrupted.
"As long as I can remember I have been addicted to making music and in about eighth grade I really decided that is want I want to do," Patrick says. "For all the pros and cons of that decision I have never changed my mind. I am devoted to following music as far as it will take me" - Kingston Times