Tomorrow Chicago-based trio Tafoya will be unleashing their debut EP, ‘Freedom.’ However, today, you can take a first listen to the new EP right here. The band consists of Chicago guitarist Mike Tafoya (formerly of The Boyzz, The B’zz, Raw Dogs, Tafoya’s Lost Boyzz), who was already well known across the Windy City as well as the Midwest, and he is joined by Craig Cederholm (Percussion-Vox) and Leslidiana F. Biocic (Bass-Vox).
The first couple of singles leading up to this release has been getting some well-deserved high praise. Mike describes it as a sound that is meant for “big ears.” and while that certainly is the case, all listeners are going to find love for timeless and nostalgic throwback aspects of those soft groove sounds of the 70s and 80s that effortlessly blends with the big and loud hard rock of the raging 20s. With mesmerizing hooks and amazing riffs, even those with small ears will be throwing up the horns at the end of this EP.
There are a number of bands that are going with the old-school stadium rock style of the glory days of hard rock, and what Tafoya is doing is raising the bar in terms of ushering in what that sound should be. Tafoya is bringing in a fresh sound to old-school rock. This is important as you want to remain authentic to those glory days without sounding ancient.
The EP is just fun. that is really one of the best ways to describe it. As Mike even gives an example of this on the track “Boogie with ME” by saying:
The song ‘Boogie With Me’ is simply a fun track that kicks throughout. I, obviously, borrow from everywhere. This band I have now is so tuned into what I want. It’s crazy. Recorded in Knoxville, Tennessee while the rest was recorded in Sweet Home, Chicago. The cats in Knoxville were super and cool to work with. Makes for a fun sounding track, and fun to listen to!
After being in the business for more than 40 years, Mike describes the current band as being the strongest that he’s ever put together. This EP has definitely been a fun appetizer, and hopefully, we can soon move on to the main course in the form of an LP.
