Trampled by Turtles

Trampled by Turtles formed in Duluth, Minnesota in 2004 with Dave Simonett on vocals and guitar, Erik Berry on mandolin, Tim Saxhaug on bass, Ryan Young on fiddle, and Dave Carroll on banjo. They put out their first album, 'Songs from a Ghost Town,' that same year, followed by 'Wild Animals' in 2006. Their sound from the start was rooted in folk and bluegrass, but played with a kind of raw, driving energy that felt more immediate than traditional.

Things shifted for the band with their 2008 album 'Duluth.' The single 'Alone' from that record caught on in a way their earlier work hadn't, drawing wider attention to their mix of poignant songwriting and skilled instrumentation. They followed it with albums like 'Palomino' in 2010 and 'Stars and Satellites' in 2012, which showed them settling into a steadier, more expansive version of their sound. Songs like 'Victory' and 'Again' from this period became live staples.

The band faced a difficult period in 2011 when their tour manager, Scott Yoder, was killed in an accident. The event was deeply personal for the members and led to a pause in their activities. They've also occasionally drawn questions about their name, with some critics suggesting it could be seen as culturally insensitive. These aren't the central facts of their story, but they're part of the landscape the band has moved through while making music.