Retro-Cool
Singers Noelle Scaggs & Michael Fitzsimmons (Fitz) of Fitz & the Tantrums
The neo-soul genre is finding a larger audience in the USA & the UK, thanks to performers like Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Bettye LaVette, and Duffy. A newer entry is the Hollywood based Fitz & the Tantrums, who are influenced by the Stax, Motown and Philly soul sounds of the Sixties & Seventies.
Singer Michael Fitzsimmons says he's as much influenced by contemporary indie pop and the Tantrums aren't trying to create an exact replica of the classic sound of soul music. On his decision not to use guitars in the band, Fitz says "I did want to try and make a big sounding record without guitars," he said. "For me, I just feel like in any music that has a band, the guitar is always there, it's always featured, it's always prevalent. I'm just sick of hearing it."
Prior to his incarnation as a neo-soul singer, Michael Fitzsimmons worked on the production side of the L.A. music scene , most notably with Beck's producer, Mickey Petralia.
Embedded below is Fitz and the Tantrums performing
Pickin' Up the Pieces on the KCRW radio show Morning Becomes Electric. FYI: KCRW has a fantastic archive of live studio performances at their YouTube channel @
Morning Becomes Electric
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