With ‘Dukes of Delmont’ LP, Truman Brothers reconnect with old Provo ties
Ben Truman, left, and Chad Truman of the band Truman Brothers. The duo returns to Provo on Saturday with a show at Velour Live Music Gallery.
“Our experience in Utah helped us shape our sound and put us in touch with really talented musicians that have helped us along the way,” Ben Truman said.
“This album is still very much in line with the Truman Brothers of old, but represents a more steady life view,” Chad Truman said of their new album, "Dukes of Delmont."
While brothers Ben and Chad Truman have been out of the local music scene for a few years, Provo natives know the pivotal role their band, Truman Brothers, had in Provo’s now-sprawling music landscape.
“We were actually one of the first acts to ever perform at Velour,” Ben said. “Looking back on it now, it is amazing to see how legendary that venue has become. One of our favorite stories to tell around the campfire is about the shows that we would do with bands like Imagine Dragons, competing with them to see who could get more people to a show. If we were to have a similar competition today, I think they just might edge us out.”
They’ll be returning to Provo to celebrate the release of their upcoming album, “Dukes of Delmont,” with a show at Velour Live Music Gallery on Saturday. Since Ben and Chad’s last Truman Brothers performance in Utah, they have moved back home to Nashville and, among other musical projects, worked closely with members of the popular Nashville Tribute Band.
“It felt like a natural fit for us to join the Nashville Tribute Band team,” Chad said. “We have been fans of their work for years and have had multiple opportunities to pitch in here or there. The past two years, however, we have been able to work on projects like ‘Redeemer’ from the ground up. From recording in the studio to performing at live shows, our involvement with Nashville Tribute Band has made us better musicians.”
While recording songs with the group, Ben and Chad sapped inspiration for songs that made them miss recording as Truman Brothers. Last year the duo decided to take their ideas and work on a new release.
“The creation of ‘Dukes of Delmont’ is symbolic of our history as musicians,” Ben said. “We have deep roots in Nashville and it is home for us. Growing up in this environment gave us our love of songwriting and finding the soul of a song. Our experience in Utah helped us shape our sound and put us in touch with really talented musicians that have helped us along the way.”
The creative process for Truman Brothers’ new album — their first since 2012 — involved recordings in both Nashville and in Utah. Backed on guitar by TJ Nokelby (from local acts Haarlem and Parlor Hawk) and recording tracks with producer Scott Wiley at the Provo studio June Audio, “Dukes of Delmont” features a wide swath of Utah’s local music talent.
“We felt it important to involve our friends in Utah as much as possible,” Chad said. “It is hard to explain, but somehow in the past 10 years, the musical talent around the valley has gotten whittled down into an incredibly powerful force. We are heavily influenced by the things going on musically in these parts and wanted to bring an element of that to our new album. While we are separated geographically from the things going on in Provo, we still feel a special closeness to the music there.”
Ben and Chad explained that the album’s title paid homage to their grandfather, Delmont. While digging around some old family records, the brothers found an old Truman family crest that functioned as the inspiration for the album’s artwork. By working with a graphic designer, the family crest was modernized and adapted for use as the album cover.
“For years, we have used the phrase ‘Dukes of Delmont’ for any number of things,” Ben said. “The cousins and grandkids have used that phrase for things like fantasy football leagues to rec league sporting teams. When we were thinking of a title for this collection of songs, it only felt natural to use this running theme that we had kept up with family members.”
While the duo is excited to hit the road again under their Truman Brothers moniker, they recognize all that has changed since their last release.
“This album is still very much in line with the Truman Brothers of old, but represents a more steady life view,” Chad explained. “The new Truman Brothers are more … seasoned. With deeper roots and a more holistic life experience to draw from, the songs that we write come from a different place (than) from our earlier work.”
“The last time we did a show in Provo, we had recently been married, but our songs were written before we were married,” Ben added. “A lot of our inspiration was taken from the angst and anxiety of single life in a town like Provo (laughs). We mentioned that the new Truman Brothers are ‘seasoned’ and ‘steady.’ Getting married and having kids helps put things in perspective and helps you cut through the clutter. The themes in our songs have changed as a result of this new perspective and we think that we as musicians are better for it.”
TRUMAN BROTHERS ALBUM RELEASE
When: Saturday. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Where: Velour Live Music Gallery, 135 N. University Ave.
Also on the bill: Oli K, Aubree Liz
Tickets: $10 at Velour, $12.50 at 24tix.com