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MINGO FISHTRAP

It's been quite the roller coaster ride, but the eight members of Austin's critically acclaimed soul collective Mingo Fishtrap have found their sweet spot. Now four albums deep, the eight-piece outfit has honed its sound, rubbed shoulders with musical idols, and delivered powerhouse live shows to crowds of thousands in the years since the band's inception in a tiny dorm room in Denton, Texas. "We've experienced a lot of milestones and challenges in our lives together," says founder Roger Blevins, Jr. "It's easy to reminisce, even about moments that have just happened, but you reach a place in your life where you finally feel comfortable that that's where you're supposed to be."

Audiences can always expect spontaneity and heart from a Mingo set, where the band intermingles fresh takes on songs from their extensive catalog with their twist on a few select soul standards. "When something feels a little a stale, we'll change up the arrangement to keep it feeling new," says Roger. "You don't want to change so much about a tune that it becomes completely unfamiliar, but folks who are a part of our musical world also expect some experimentation. We don't want a solid wall of sound; we want to create a whole night of music, with a natural ebb and flow."

Mingo Fishtrap are Roger Blevins, Jr. on lead vocals and guitar; Dane Farnsworth on vocals, organ, and keyboards; Chip Vayenas on vocals and drums; Mikel Urdy on percussion; Roger Blevins, Sr. on bass; Steve Butts on trumpet; Dan Bechdolt on tenor and alto saxophone; and Zol Waterhouse on trombone. "Folks that come from a big family can probably relate," says Roger of the experience writing, recording, and touring with such a big, diverse group. "There are lots of mouths to feed, but also so much talent and so many resources."