When it comes to music, the most important element for the Austin based band Trouble in The Streets is to create something new. Their sound is uniquely their own pulling from influences like Rage Against the Machine, Beats Antique, to Hiatus Kaiyote. The multi-talented band, Trouble in The Streets has dubbed this signature sound “Electro Tribe,” a vibe that masterfully blends electronic music, international sounds, with hip-hop, rock and R&B. Their debut EP Electro Tribe is set to be physically distributed on October 6, 2017, everywhere.
The band first came together in 2014, in Austin, TX as friends helping each other out, Nnedi was in need of a demo and Andy and Robert were happy to assist on drum and bass. After the session the group of friends realized they had more music to make and Trouble in The Streets was born. Trouble in The Streets is comprised of Nnedi Agbaroji (Vocals, Keys, Lyricists), Andy Leonard (Bass, Synth, Programing), and Robert Slangen (Drums).
Their music is influenced from the diverse backgrounds each member brings to the band. The multi-talented band started their music careers at a young age. Nnedi, first generation Nigerian American, born and raised in Houston, grew up playing piano and listening to traditional Nigerian lgbo music. She dabbled playing guitar but came back to the keys after she purchased a Roland Juno DI and re-discovered her world music sensibilities and love for electronic music. Andy started playing keys at a young age but fell in love with bass guitar after his parents surprised him with a bass guitar for his 8th grade graduation present. He started performing in bands in high school, which eventually lead him to Austin. Robert grew up playing drums and performing with competitive choirs in Ohio. He studied Opera at the University of Dayton, Vienna Conservatory of Music and performed professionally with the Dayton Opera Company. With these experiences in his back pocket, he re-discovered his love of drums and moved to Austin. With an eclectic background grounded in performance, it’s no wonder that live music has given Trouble in The Streets the platform to hone their talents and new sound as a band.
Their debut EP aptly named, Electro Tribe, fuses their craft into a four-track release that highlights the musical direction this young band is headed. Electro Tribe is full of stand out tracks and is a fully charged journey about taking control of your existence. It kicks off with the amped tune “Pyramid Scheme,” about the lesson of not getting stuck in the hamster wheel of existence by turning a blind eye to history. This track features Beto Martinez (Grupo Fantasma) on guitar. It was the first time the band worked with the GRAMMY Award winning artist, having only presented the music to Beto and with one rehearsal prior to recording, Beto blew everyone’s mind and juiced the tune to progressively amp up the listener. KUTX premiered the track and said, “The first impression from Electro Tribe – “Pyramid Scheme” – highlights Agbaroji’s Sade-like vocal performance on top of a crunchy retro-synth (almost Miami Vice-esque) chord progression that elevates into hard-hitting bass and drum arrangements (featuring Andy Leonard and Bobby Snakes, respectively). With three additional tracks, there’s no reason not to enjoy Trouble in The Streets in the comfort of your own home.” -Jack anderson, 98.9 KUTX-FM
More standouts include, “Never Doubt the Worm” a tune about following your passions by overcoming and dismantling social structures that keep us trapped in mental boxes, and to jump on the intergalactic spaceship that is creating your reality. “Sop Me Up Like a Biscuit” is about releasing karmic baggage that keeps you from realizing your full potential, the track asks the listener to take a stand and think about how they want to impact the world by letting the music take you through a cathartic emotional release. The final track “Make it Rain” featuring Beto Martinez on guitar, is a culmination of the preceding tracks. It is about moving forward and healing form the unfortunate events in history without forgetting. Electro Tribe was recorded at The Orb Studios in Austin, TX and produced by Matt Meli (Malford Milligan, Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead, Gary Clark Jr. and The Meat Puppets).
With their high energy and signature sound the trio have supported such acts like Rebirth Brass Band, Sting Cheese Incident, and George Clinton and P Funk, and have been invited to perform at festivals like Joshua Tree Music Festival, Quantum Flux, UtopiaFest, Black Fret Official SXSW, and Art Outside. In 2015, The Austin Chronicle named them in the top five of the Best New Bands in Austin.
Trouble in The Streets will be touring this Fall in support of the physical CD release. Live shows are where Trouble in The Streets shine with improvised jam sessions, guest performers, and high energy audience participation led by Nnedi Agbaroji who fuels the crowd with interactive calls-to-action. Audiences can expect to hear new material alongside the current release. Check out Trouble in The Streets upcoming tour dates below.
Tour Dates:
Sep 07 @ Backyard on Bell – Denton, TX
Sep 08 @ Quantum Flux – Conway, AR with Govinda
Sep 09 @ MoLove Festival – St Louis, MO
Sep 10 @ Art Outside Campout – Rockdale, TX
Sep 30 @ Empire Control Room & Garage – Austin, TX with EOTO and Zoogma
Oct 3 @ The Lost Leaf – Phoenix, AZ
Oct 08 @ Joshua Tree Music Festival – Joshua Tree, CA with The Last Internationale, Turkuaz and more
Oct 11 @ California Institute of Abnormalarts – Hollywood, CA
Oct 13 @ Winston’s – San Diego, CA
Oct 14 @ Universal Bar & Grill – Hollywood CA
Oct 19 @ Your Moms House – Denver CO, with Zeta June
