Dumpstaphunk has been called the ‘best funk band from New Orleans’.
The band performs at some of the worlds’s largest music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Voodoo Music Experience, Hangout Festival, Caloundra Music Festival, 10,000 Lakes, High Sierra, Outside Lands Festival, Gathering of the Vibes and Dave Matthews Caravan. Singer Ivan Neville is the son of Aaron Neville, and Ian is his nephew, also a son of the famous Neville Background.
For Ian playing festivals have always been a bit like a family reunion. ‘We have a day at Jazz Fest, where the whole family is here, and that was like the hangout, the show, the Jazz Fest food, the whole deal, that was our family hang. It was a very cool experience growing up.’ At just 35, Ian Neville has been to 35 Jazz Fests and started playing at them when he was just 14.
‘We definitely absorb a lot of family around us, to keep the music thing going. It seems to work, but hopefully there’s room for other branching out. We’ll see how it goes.’
There have been a few lineup changes, but Dumpstaphunk continues to deliver.
‘It’s definitely Nick Daniels III and I on bass and vocals for Bluesfest. Tony Hall on guitar and bass and vocals, and my cousin Ivan playing the keys and probably some guitar. And most likely, our drummer seat is in fluctuation a lot lately, but our local guy, like the guy who we’ve been recording with lately, Alvin Ford Jr. So we’ll see if we have the full home court crew, or we go with our branch-out team who we’ve been pretty busy with; John Staten is another drummer who’s been in our scene for a minute, who was with us a lot lately, so we’re gonna see if he takes that ride with us.’
Dumpstaphunk hope to bring a little of something old, a little of something new and, of course, a lot of something blue to Bluesfest.
‘We’ve been working on some new stuff,’ says Ian. ‘As it gets to the end, it gets harder, but even if we don’t have a full release by then, we’ll definitely have some of the new stuff polished up enough to play for you guys over there.’
Dumpstaphunk play Bluesfest this Easter.
For program and ticket info go to bluesfest.com.au
