TAUK to play at Proud Larry’s

Instrumental rock band TAUK will returning their cool, explosive sound to Proud Larry’s tomorrow at 9 p.m.
The East coast group had its beginnings in Long Island. In fact, the name TAUK traces its origins back to the town of Montauk at the end of Long Island.
“Charlie, AC and I grew up together in Long Island and always played music together,” guitarist Matt Jalbert said. “That’s where everything really started. We all went off to college and did our own things for a while. That’s where Charlie met Isaac, and he joined the band almost four years ago now.”
Today, the band comprises Jalbert, bassist Charlie Dolan, keyboardist and organist A.C. Carter and drummer Isaac Teel.
Since their formation, TAUK has learned a lot. According to Jalbert, different environments and experiences have shaped the band and their music.
“Being put into different situations has really helped us grow,” he said. “Playing small rooms with almost no sound system to really big rooms. Short sets, long sets, two sets, three sets. Being able to adapt has been a huge part of the growing process. I think we have a way better idea now of how to put together a solid show from start to finish. Also the writing process has changed, and the songs are always taking a new direction.”
Not afraid to question their evolving sound, TAUK is always looking for ways to keep things fresh and change things up. Their sound can only be defined as tough to pinpoint.
Jalbert describes it as “The Roots meets Pink Floyd. Dirty funk math cinema explosions,” but the charm of TAUK’s distinctive sound can partially be attributed to their songwriting process.
“It varies from song to song,” Jalbert said. “When we were in college we would send ideas to each other through music notation software via email. Everybody would learn their parts and then when we would get together when we were home we’d play the songs. That’s where everything really takes shape though. Each person always puts their own spin on things, and that’s what gives our band its sound. Lately, we’ve been doing a lot more writing together as a band, and it’s taken the music in a new direction.”
Their latest album, “Headroom,” showcases TAUK’s every-growing style. “Mokuba,” the first track on the album, begins enticingly with swooning notes that end in cliffhangers, leaving the audience hanging onto each lone sound. “Headroom” is the band’s first live album, and one that band worked tirelessly on so it would sound “just right.”
“We talked about putting out something live for a long time but we wanted to get it right,” Jalbert said. “We wanted to have some good recordings to choose from. I’m really excited about how it turned out.”
TAUK’s evident theme is growth, and that holds true in their goals as a band.
No strangers to Oxford, TAUK has played at Proud Larry’s a few times now, as well as at The Lyric, and always have a great time. They are currently on a tour that will end on November 1, after which the band will take some time to get working on something new.
“We never want to be too comfortable,” Jalbert said. “One of the most exciting things is challenging ourselves and taking risks and seeing where that leads us.”
In a year, TAUK sees itself on the road, hopefully heading to a cool venue in a city with awesome food.