Interview: Ripe Come Back Home to Put On a Party at MGM Music Hall
When their sophomore album Bright Blues was released on March 10, Ripe started a new chapter for themselves in numerous ways. Vocalist Robbie Wulfsohn, guitarist Jon Becker, drummer Sampson Hellerman and trombonist Calvin Barthel evolved their funk laden sound with electronic, R&B and pop sensibilities. They also joined up with a new label at Glassnote Records while kicking their heralded live show up a few notches. On April 8, Ripe will be coming back home to Boston to show people what they’ve been up to with a show at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway located on 2 Lansdowne Street. Fellow Boston band Couch and New York City indie-soul act Melt will be opening up the festivities at 7:30pm.
Hellerman and I had a conversation ahead of the gig about the making of the new album, working with their new label, including the new songs into their live performances and getting excited for their biggest show so far.
Last year before the release of Bright Blues, you guys were talking about wanting to take that next step as a band and progress into new territory. In what ways did this collective mindset contribute to the making of the album?
Well, if you listen to the album, it’s certainly a change of sound. I wouldn’t say that it’s a crazy left turn into a whole new genre, but it certainly is an…
