The Dip draws inspiration from jazz, reggae, funk, and soul. But as Lauren found out for this episode, don’t call this electrifying 7-piece group out of Seattle a soul band. “I think that, from a historical standpoint, soul music is the music as a black art form, and we're not African-American,” says Tom Eddy, lead vocalist and guitarist.

On their latest album, The Dip Delivers, the band definitely pays its respects to that culturally important genre and artists like Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. They also count The Beach Boys and sessions musicians like The Wrecking Crew as Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section as influences. “It's all these recordings where everything's in the room and feels so alive and the players were so killer,” says Jarred Katz, the band’s drummer.

Album art is another aspect of the band’s overall aesthetic. Created by Dan Gneiding of Grayhood, the designs draw on the great old vinyl covers of the past while capturing the band’s modern vibe. But it’s not all vintage, all the time. Spotify keeps the band up-to-date on each member’s latest discovery.. Beyond the weird songs, Jarred also likes following artists from the same record label, like Stones Throw Records or Colemine Records,.

From a musician standpoint, Tom digs Spotify’s ability to serve up every iteration of a single song. “You see Chet Baker or you… see Ella Fitzgerald play this and it's all right there one after another and it's so informative.”

The band’s currently on the road in support of the new album. Give it a listen on Spotify or Apple Music and check out tour dates at their website.

Find out more at http://www.laurenignited.com/TheDip

***

Follow The Dip on all the usual social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

Follow LaurenIgnited on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.