Hailing from Georgia, the folks in The Taj Motel Trio have been making their brand of ska punk for over 20 years. From playing at your favorite dive bar to opening for Bon Jovi, Taj has seen a lot in their time. Like with all bands, the pandemic has taken away Taj’s ability to tour. Because of that, they needed to improvise and adapt.
Enter Acoustic Isolation.
Released earlier this month, Acoustic Isolation is a five-song EP of stripped-down acoustic versions of previous Taj hits. I always appreciate hearing acoustic renditions, and the tracks on this EP don’t disappoint. They also feature an upright bass, which is super unique and makes them stand out even more.
Recently, lead singer and guitarist Ben Sanders sat down to answer some questions about the EP. He also discussed how the ska-punk scene has changed in the last 20 years, as well as which new up and comers have caught his ear lately. Being a scene veteran, Sanders also offers up some tips and advice on the key to longevity in the ska scene.
Check out what Ben Sanders from The Taj Motel Trio had to say below.
No need to sugarcoat it, 2020 sucked. You were able to stay busy with content creation though. How hard was it to adjust to the challenges last year provided?
It was really, really hard! It feels like we hardly did anything in 2020. If I take a step back though, we recorded and released a cover song, “Straight Up,” originally by Paula Abdul, and we recorded the acoustic EP, Acoustic Isolation, all in spite of the pandemic limiting our contact with each other. That’s pretty good, considering.
Speaking of Acoustic Isolation, how did you go about recording it?
The original idea was to record an acoustic set for the Ska-Core Cartel’s Quarantine for a Cause livestream concert series. I have my own setup, Battle House Studios, and Mike came in first. We actually started with upright bass and guitar, so that was kinda weird. Andrew came in two days later to record drums. Tiggs recorded sax the next day, and then Tracy recorded the trombone parts the day after that. Then, I sent the tracks to Nick who recorded trumpet in his basement, while I hurriedly recorded the vocals.
The first mixes, which we used for the livestream, were done in about half an hour. We were on a very tight deadline, but we were pretty happy with the results and the fact that it came together so quickly. I knew I could make the mix sound better, so I spent a few weeks working on it and the result is the Acoustic Isolation EP.
How did you narrow down and choose the songs you did for the EP?
Since we knew we wanted the upright bass to be featured, Mike played though pretty much our whole catalogue on his own and made suggestions. Then together, we narrowed it down to seven or eight songs. Sadly, we only had time to record five, but I feel like they were good ones.
The Punk Rock MBA says ska punk is dead. Is he correct?
No way! He’s got a business degree, what does he know about ska punk? Seriously though, as long as people are making ska punk, it still has a pulse. I wouldn’t say it’s dead. Not by a long shot.
Most folks say the ska bubble popped right as your band was starting up. How were you able to keep it going in the early days?
The mainstream “bubble” may have popped, but the ska scene was pretty strong though the early 2000s. Bands kept playing shows, and people kept showing up. We made lots of friends and had fun. That made it easy to keep going.
How has the ska scene changed since then? Feels like we’re in a ska resurgence these last few years.
There are always going to be ups and downs, but it definitely feels like there’s a renewed energy in the ska scene. I’m seeing a lot more diversity in the scene now, and I think that may be contributing to the resurgence. The world is changing and so is the scene. For the better, no doubt.
We’re seeing some great new releases from bands that have been around a little longer, too. We Are the Union is absolutely killing it! Our Jersey BFFs, The Best of the Worst. are about to drop a new album. Not to mention killer releases in 2020 from The Suicide Machines, Less than Jake, and Goldfinger. Also, Jeff Rosenstock is keeping it real with the ska background music for Craig of the Creek. Love that show, and hearing Jeff on there is like hanging out with an old friend.
What newer bands are exciting you lately?
Kill Lincoln and Call Me Malcolm were probably the bands that I listened to the most in 2020. They both released amazing albums! Jeremy Hunter (Skatune Network/JER/WATU) is a national treasure, and I love everything they’re doing, both musically and to promote the genre as a whole. HEY-SMITH is amazing. Catbite rips. Grey Matter blows my mind. The Inevitables, The Bar Stool Preachers, Bad Operation, Poindexter, Millie Manders and the Shutup, Omnigone, Flying Raccoon Suit, Millington. I know I’m forgetting some, but there are so many inspiring new bands right now.
It still feels like 2021 is a bit up in the air in terms of being able to tour again. What are your plans for this year?
We’ll just have to see how things shake out. I’ve been writing a lot, and we’re planning on recording some new music as soon as possible. I can’t wait to get back out there, obviously, but we’re going to play it safe. Got to take care of everyone. That’s most important.
Any new releases being worked on then?
Well, the short answer is ABSOLUTELY. I write music all the time, and there are, honestly, dozens of songs kind of half-formed, floating around in my brain or on a piece of notebook paper or recorded on my phone. I tend to struggle with writing lyrics. I just feel really resistant to it. I want to say something authentic and meaningful, but it’s hard to be vulnerable sometimes. Therapy is helping. A big handful of songs, probably enough for at least an album, are pretty close to finished. So, yes, new music is in the pipeline. Keep an eye out. When it drops, it’ll be solid, I think. I’m excited about making it. And about letting y’all hear it!
How many times a day does someone accidentally call your band, The Taj Mahal Trio?
Too many to count! But that’s okay.
Do you have any advice for newer ska bands who are just starting out? What’s the secret to longevity in the ska scene?
New bands represent a new generation. They’ll have to find their own way, since the world has changed a lot since we started out. But the things that I think are important are pretty simple. Write good songs. Play the music you want to hear. Practice your instrument. Don’t be afraid to be yourself (I’m still working on this one). Practice some more. And most of all, have fun! If it doesn’t make you happy, you won’t be around for long.
The secret to longevity is this: if it matters to you, don’t quit. I think some people have a higher tolerance for being in a band than others, and that’s okay. I personally love it, so it’s easy for me to stick around. Try to maintain friendships and good working relationships. Communicate. It’s hard to make music with someone you can’t have an honest, productive conversation with. Practice putting your ego second and the music first. These are some things I’ve learned. Some, the hard way.
What are you most looking forward to when the world goes back to “normal?”
Punk shows, sketchy Chinese buffets, getting all my bandmates in one room together and making some noise. Even though technology has allowed us to make and share music despite the pandemic, it’s not the same. Being in the same room, hanging out with people who come to shows. Meeting new people. There’s no substitute for that.
Any last words?
Yeah, even though things have been grim, I still have a lot of hope. The world is waking up to a lot of societal issues that need to be acknowledged and addressed, and more and more people are letting their voices be heard. It’s a weird time, but I think we can grow through it, musically and otherwise.