TapWater (US)

TapWater

music is the method

“If your body is able, you are guaranteed to be shakin' something!”

-- Becky Rowe, TapWater fan, Portland, OR

A six piece from Portland, TapWater blends banjo, steel pans, piano, accordion, upright bass, guitar and drums into the bright sound they call World Twang!

What is World Twang?

World Twang is TapWater’s innovative way of honoring the music of the world. “We borrow what we like from other cultures, then mix it with our favorite American styles,” comments banjo picker Steve Moore. This process challenges the band and keeps their sound fresh but also, as steel pannist Rudy Slizewski explains, “It deepens our appreciation for and unites us with beauty beyond American borders.”

Facilitating Unity

TapWater’s diverse World Twang sound attracts all types of fans, and this is precisely the band’s intention. “We gather people that might not ordinarily spend time together if they weren’t coming to see us,” says drummer Simon Lucas. “They dance, they sing, they enjoy each other’s company -- it’s extremely rewarding to facilitate this kind of unity.”

Generating Hope

TapWater plans to empower their fan community to reshape America into a true democracy. Manager Anne Tropeano explains: “As a gatherer of people, we can be the vehicle that unites every sector of the community citizens, nonprofits, corporations, and media in the common purpose of creating the America we know is possible. And once America acts with integrity and compassion, we as a country can affect real and permanent world-wide change. This is the vision of TapWater.”

Meet TapWater

Steve Moore lead vocals, banjo, percussion

Rudy Slizewski lead vocals, steel pans, marimba, percussion, trombone

Timmy Jones lead vocals, keyboards, accordion

Ravi Laird acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals

Wes Elliott upright bass, electric bass, vocals

Simon Lucas drums, percussion

Anne Tropeano manager

We play all over Porland, OR and the Pacific North West. We love it up here. The Audience is always tentative and seems to love what we to here than anywhere else.

Tito Puente, Pink Floyd, The Dude, Willie Nelson & Friends, Dr. John, Tortise, Stevie Wonder, Beatles, Phish, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, Bela Fleck, Radiohead, Bob Marley, The Band, Billie Holiday, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, David Bowie, Tony Allen, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Tony Rice, Joe Zawinul, Jeff Buckley, Toots & The Maytals, James Brown, Thelonious Monk, The Police, Benny Lava, Sea & Cake, Peace, Ray Charles, Mongo Santamaria, Mr. Bungle, Peter Tosh, Cal Tjader, Medeski Martin & Wood, Johnny Cash, Nick Drake, Leftover Salmon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jaco Pastorius, John Coltrane, Wilco, Santana, Doors, Wes Montgomery, Hot Dogs, Doc Watson, The Beatles, Frank Zappa, Elton John, The Meters, Tower of Power, John Scofield, Van Morrison, Dark Coffee...