Tea Leaf Green thrives while sticking to their roots

The Internet has contributed to the band’s popularity.

By The Maneater Staff

Published Feb. 1, 2008

The members of Tea Leaf Green might have their roots in improvisation, but they have grown into professionals.

The way the group, made up of vocalist/guitarist Josh Clark, keyboardist/vocalist Trevor Garrod, bassist Reed Mathis and drummer Scott Rager, makes and plays music has evolved dramatically over the past 10 years.

“We started as teenagers and were still learning our instruments and discovering music,” Clark said. “Initially, we just got together jamming but didn’t really have a specific direction.”

As the band members grew, so did their music. Clark said that as they began to play more shows, they realized they needed to write songs ahead of time to compose a full set. While the group enjoyed improvising onstage, composing standard songs fans could rely on proved beneficial, especially since the band’s primary mode of publicity is through word of mouth. Or, more appropriately, word by mouse.

“In the beginning and even today, the Internet is how people find out who we are,” Clark said.

The group encourages show-goers to tape, upload and trade performances to spread the news about Tea Leaf Green and what they have to offer.

The band’s willingness to communicate what they’re all about online has expanded both their fan base and their performance resume. The group has opened for acts such as Dave Matthews Band and Trey Anastasio and sold out shows in Chicago, Denver and New York.

When it comes to creating new material, the band members often brainstorm ideas on their own before bringing them to the rest of the group to adapt and add to.

“We share a lot of ideas,” Clark said. “If I think of an idea for a song, I’ll usually have the lyrics, melodies and first choruses in place, and the band will come up with more ideas for bridges or whatever else.”

Clark said that Garrod provides a lot of the group’s material.

“He has this whole book of songs we haven’t even tapped into yet,” Clark said. “If no one has a fresh idea, we’ll dive into the Trevor songbook.”

Recently Tea Leaf Green’s bassist, Ben Chambers, decided it was time for him to part ways, and Mathis quickly filled in.

“You’re still going to hear a Tea Leaf Green show, but there’s more depth to it now,” Clark said. “We’re super fresh and completely recharged. Not that before Ben left things weren’t good, but a new member can make a huge difference–when you’ve played a song a thousand times it can get old, but a new face can bring a totally different sound.”

While the band’s members enjoy playing shows all over the country, they’re excited for their performances at The Fillmore in their sunny home of San Francisco.

“We started in little bars with three people there and have grown into something bigger,” Clark said. “You can measure how far you’ve come when you come home.”