The Rotating Taps

I spent New Year’s Eve 2015 at Nocturnem Draft Haus rocking out to a band. A magical unicorn of a band that I had never heard before: The Rotating Taps.

While I had heard of Sam and Yuri before, this new configuration gave way to an entirely new musical dynamic. A free flowing energy and so much open spirit that even through the speakers of my beat up Macbook it was still so visceral.

Right, so The Rotating Taps. Four guys: Sam Chase on vocals, drums. Yuri Trusty on vocals and keyboard. Jared Botting on bass. Mike Wellington on the six-string guitar. And that is just an outline, seeing these guys live you come to realize that each of them is so versatile in their talents as musicians.

Their music, while bridging the gaps of conformity and labels, would ultimately fall into the Indie Rock, Alternative Folk category. Very similar to The Decemberists or Deathcab For Cutie. Their album “Take Your Time” released this past November is a perfect meld of their talents. It’s tight, it’s loose. It’s practiced, it’s flexible. There is a specific type of angst and melancholy to them, but not in a cheesy teen way. In an I-wanna-rock-out-and-headbang-because-your-singing-my-thoughts-and-I-can-relate-butalsobeer kind of way. Can you dig it? And everything from the strong, honest, vocals, and gliding harmonies, to the not perfect but perfectly awesome instrumentals was just…great. Seriously, people. This album, my house, on repeat. Ask my cats, they’ll meow in assent.

And seeing them live? That’s another story. It is, to put it simply, a joy. There is a clear dynamic to this band-a texture-the kind that is easy, that you can feel when you hear their songs. Perhaps it’s because they all went to high school together, and have been friends for so long. It’s worked for several other big bands (look at Radiohead). There is something, though. Something this band has that simply cannot be put into words. And then after the lack of words you DANCE.

I went to Nocturnem last night to catch up with Sam and see how excited he and the band are about everything going on. In brief passing we exchanged pleasantries and you will all be glad to know that he is doing good. End quote. Due to such overwhelming and physically painful social awkwardness, that was about the end of that haha. It was really quite hilarious.

In addition to all of the awesome music, The Rotating Taps are also currently involved-nay- in the TOP FIVE of the Young and Free Maine Music Competition. It’s an annual music competition run by Maine’s Credit Union’s. And today is the final, end all, winning, winners, judgers, judging, thingymajig. So basically this is, like, a very big deal and I think everyone should send their good vibes toward The Rotating Taps while they rock out and take the gold-figuratively of course. I think. Although it would be cooler if there was gold to take. Is there gold to take?

And so like superheroes they will take their homebrewed music and fight the never ceasing battle against this auto-tune revolution. Electronic warriors, living to fight another day.

The Rotating Taps, everybody.

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Hannah Barry

About Hannah Barry

I am an avid music listener and seeker. Some might say snob. Music is my life, my passion. I value it, respect it, and love it beyond words. I'm an aspiring musician/songwriter/singer. An aspiring writer. A professional weirdo. I'm awkward, I love writing, I love listening.