Cody Tinnin’s new musical role finds him at the front and center of the stage. In the past, the former bass player for local bluegrass band Stillhouse Junkies found himself in that position when stepping to the microphone to speak or handle vocals. However, with his new band, he’ll find himself in that front-and center-position on a more permanent basis. Moving from band member to band member and band leader, Tinnin is now fronting Weminuche, a hot band of local musicians ripping through Tinnin originals.
Cody Tinnin and Weminuche will perform Saturday at The Tangled Horn. Opening the show are Sarah Vader, along with a set by Westfield, which features local singer-songwriter Annie Brooks.
Tinnin certainly has clocked a load of onstage hours through his years of touring, yet despite that experience, now that he’s leading a band he still has a butterflies.
If you go
WHAT: Country, roots rock with Cody Tinnin and Weminuche with support sets by Westfield and Sarah Vader.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: The Tangled Horn, 275 East Eighth Ave.
MORE INFORMATION: Call 403-3395 or visit www.thetangledhorn.com.
“It’s a little bit nerve-wracking. I’ve been professionally interacting as a musician in a band for years; that’s been my only vibe. To now transition into being a front-person, being the person writing the songs and running the band, it’s a totally different vibe,” he said. “But I’m excited for it. I’m having a lot of fun with it, too. It’s also right now very casual and fun, playing with people that I just enjoy their company, and they are also great musicians that are here in town. I’m having fun testing out and experimenting the new songs with a fuller band.”
That fuller band made their debut as a nine-piece at a show at The Animas City Theatre back in November. Saturday’s show is a smaller ensemble, a six-piece featuring Tinnin on guitar, banjo and vocals; along with Cyle Talley on drums; Chuck Hank on bass; Brian Aherne on guitar; Jacob Nalle on steel guitar; and Tashi T on guitar and vocals.
You’d categorize this band’s sound under the catchall that has become “Americana” as they explore electric-folk that has subtle hints of bluegrass, while also digging into hard-hitting country rock. There’s a singer-songwriter vibe, but with an alternative-country sound, music that has hints of twang that will provoke the subtle, indie-rock listening head-nod or a full-blown two-step from those on the dance floor. Think big-band outlaw-country with dripping pedal-steel, or the indie-roots sounds of a Gillian Welch, a style prevalent when Tinnin hands the vocal duties over to bandmate Tashi T.
It’s tough to limit this sound to a few descriptors, as members of Weminuche come from bands of the indie-rock, psychedelic-shoe-gaze, bluegrass, soul and jam variety.
“I’m not trying to over-force the sound of the band. It’s all-live performance stuff and it’s new music, so I’m testing it out, working it out and having fun playing it with my friends,” Tinnin said. “Having other musical styles is huge though.”
Since parting ways with Stillhouse Junkies earlier this year, Tinnin has tossed a few projects on the music to-do list. He’s eyeballing solo shows, along with playing more bluegrass. There’s also the homegrown, community vibe of Weminuche, which fills the want of playing music around the region with an ever-deepening pool of local musicians.
Tinnin has a lot in store for what music comes next.
“Who knows what the future holds? I definitely know I want to do some solo touring next year around other schedules I’ll be juggling, and you know, I think in a perfect world it would be great to have a band out on the road to do some of this music. But there’s a lot of things that have to fall in place before that can happen” he said. “But for now, I’m just really stoked to be interacting in the local scene as much as I’ve been able to.”
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
