2023 catches the multifaceted Scott Tournet in a transitional period creatively. The veteran guitarist has been recording and performing as the leader of the Afrobeat-inspired San Diego band Elektric Voodoo since their debut in 2016. Tournet of course played some of the biggest stages in the U.S. as a founding member and guitarist of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Fast Forward to the most recent turn of the calendar and Tournet is prepped and ready to step back out on his own with a new creative flourish that is his most song-oriented collection of songs in years.
Tournet is back with his ravishing new single “Fever” (below), a dense arrangement that builds on itself in a bluesy guitar rock display. Along with the new single, the frontman is introducing his new quartet consisting of keyboardist Bronson Hoover, bassist Jeff Reed, and drummer Ricky Wise who will all also contribute vocals to their new band which falls under Tournet’s namesake.
“I met Hoover when Elektric Voodoo was playing a festival last summer. He was killing it on Hammond B3 and I took note. It turned out that we lived close to each other so I shared this new music with him and he was really into it. Since I had just moved to the area (Baltimore, MD), I didn’t know many musicians.” says Tournet on how his new band originally formed. “Beyond being incredible musicians, they all sing! I’ve already started writing new songs to take advantage of the group vocals.”
“Fever” is a return to the music Tournet has developed somewhat of a love-hate relationship with. “Since we ended Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (and even before that) I’ve been running in the other direction of any music that is even close to what we made. Some of those reasons were interpersonal but some of it was that we toured so intensively for 13 years that I was burnt out on roots/blues/rock and the quartet formula. After writing and producing three records with Elektric Voodoo I was able to rediscover my love of Blues, Rock, and American roots music in a natural and honest way.” explains the frontman about the musical direction for his new record. “When I allowed myself to just sit and let the music come out without question…that’s what came out. It’s in my blood.”
Although it has been some years since Tournet put himself in the vulnerable position of releasing music under his own name, he has never felt more ready. “Fever” and its subsequent releases follow up his 2013 solo album Ver La Luz. When asked about his growth Tournet said “Ver La Luz was an important record for me but it wasn’t a fun record to perform in public. Fronting Elektric Voodoo for the past six years, I learned the balance of writing music that was personal but could also get a dance floor moving. With this record, I honestly didn’t think that much about it. I just did it. I let the music come out naturally without overanalyzing anything. Lyrically, most of the songs are about different characters than myself which was freeing. I think I got bored of naval gazing and started to enjoy songwriting as a craft more than as therapy.” That progression can be heard on “Fever”, it is a tight, concise rock record that is meant to encapsulate the room with its fiery instrumentation.
“Fever” seems to be a milestone for Tournet as his main focus is simply finding the fun in music. “I think I just wanted to keep things simple. There is beauty and power in simplicity. In a way, it’s harder to write something good and simple than something good and complex. I’ve been exploring complexity for a long time. Perhaps getting older has allowed me to find confidence in simpler creations.”
“Fever” is just the start for Tournet and his new band as they hint at a full record releasing in the summer and promises live dates coming soon. You can listen to “Fever” below and check out https://scotttournet.net/home for more information on those live dates.
One Response
Scott is one of my favorite guitarists and it’s great to hear that a new project has come together and that more will be revealed! Can’t wait!