Two words that can trigger the neural pathway from the impulse of sound through the ear components to the key location in the brain are "Neville" and "funk." Together the image created both aurally and visually summons up the history of contemporary New Orleans music—Cajun, R&B—wrapped up in a style that is at once unique and familiar.
On Thursday, April 10, at 10 p.m., it all will come together at The Mint in Hailey.
Ivan Neville and Ian Neville, sons of Aaron and Art respectively, grew up with the music of The Meters and the Neville Brothers ingrained in their DNA.
The Meters, a precursor of the Neville Brothers, defined New Orleans funk on their own recordings and as the backing band for other artists, including Allen Toussaint.
Throughout their career, the Meters were always led by Art Neville.
In 2003, Ivan put together a band made up of himself on keyboards, Ian on guitar, bassists Nick Daniels and Tony Hall, and drummer Raymond Webber for a solo gig at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Named after a song Ivan had recently written, Dumpstaphunk's informal performance became that of immediate legend.
Over the years, of course, Ivan was making a living as a musician, playing with everyone from the Neville Brothers, the New Orleans Social Club, John Mayer, and Government Mule to Keith Richards X-pensive Winos, Bonnie Raitt and the Rolling Stones.
For the first couple of years, they played as Dumpstaphunk for "isolated dates here and there." Ivan said. "We had busy schedules with other commitments and other bands. So we basically played seasonally for Mardi Gras and the Jazz Festival."
Since then Dumpstaphunk evolved into a full-time project and has picked up considerable steam in the past four years.
"We're obviously influenced by the Neville Brothers, but we're a little nastier than that," Ivan said. "We've got many influences. So we're more like a combination of The Meters meets Sly and the Family Stone meets Parliament. Nobody is funky like us. It's a mix of old '70s and the way we feel right now. There's a lot of spontaneity involved. We can make a left turn if we need to."
One more sense—taste—kicks into gear as Ivan's description makes you just salivate in anticipation.
He said the band mates are "too busy now" to even think about side projects anymore.
"You never project into the future," Ivan said. "We're taking it as it comes, but we haven't even scratched the surface. We're building a fan base. People who see us come back and see us again. We'll kick it up a few more notches, while this our main project we hope we can have some success with it."
The band played The Mint several years ago, and was booked to play over Labor Day in 2007 but was canceled due to the Castle Rock Fire.
Though the band is based in New Orleans, Ivan now makes his home in one of the country's other great music towns—Austin, Texas.
The band gives plenty of attention to touring on the West Coast. On their swing through the Northwest they will also play in Denver, Missoula, Boise and Salt Lake City. Ivan likes Sun Valley.
"You never know, in that neck of the woods at The Mint, who is going to show up," he said. "We plan on having a fun time up there. We just want people to come check it out and get a dose of some funky music."
To hear a live track of Ivan playing with the China Club All Stars—Skunk Baxter, John Entwhistle, Sheila E, and Katy Sagal—go to clubbruno.com.
Tickets may also be purchased on the Club Bruno site. The cost for the show is $20 in advance, $25 day of the show or $12.50 with a ticket stub from the Sun Valley Center for the Arts presentation of Lura in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Liberty Theatre.
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk represent the best of New Orleans music, from jazz to funk.
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