Fitz And The Tantrums To Bring Music To Life
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Fitz and the Tantrums is set to bring a vibrant, rocking performance to The Paramount on Nov. 16.
Audiences can expect a vibrant and rocking show at The Paramount on Nov. 16, when Fitz and the Tantrums takes to the stage.
The six-piece band is set to perform songs from its latest, self-titled album, along with “oldies, but goodies,” from its back catalog, said saxophonist and flute player James King. He’s hoping the performance will peel the “paint off the walls.”
“We’re expecting to bring this album to life for people who haven’t seen us perform live before,” King said.
Fitz and the Tantrums was founded in 2008. Along with King, there’s Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, co-vocalist; Noelle Scaggs, co-vocalist; Jeremy Ruzumna, keyboards; Joseph Karnes, bass; and John Wicks, drums and percussion.
The group hit stardom in 2010, with the release of its debut album, “Pickin’ Up The Pieces,” which incorporated a soulful, R&B-revival sound.
Three years later, the group shifted gears by introducing a new wave-influenced dance-pop sound, which was showcased on its sophomore album, “More Than Just A Dream.” Singles off the album include “Out of My League,” which lit U.S. music charts, and “The Walker,” another hit.
The shift in musical genres is something that Fitz and the Tantrums did intentionally, King said.
“With our sound changing so much from record to record it can be a challenge to a lot of listeners who expect one thing from us over and over again,” King said.
He added that many fans of the band “just come with us for the ride. It’s been really cool having people stick with us.”
King said that when it comes to writing songs, the group gets inspiration from “anything and everything.”
”On the last record, we kind of started out with a lot of heartbreak in those songs and a lot of angst,” he said. “Now, we’re kind of touching on themes of desire again with this album and at the same time just doing it with a light hearted approach to uplift people in a strange and dark time in our history.”
“That’s where I feel at home and that’s where I kind of get fueled for everything else that I do in life and having the audience there to share it with me is just crucial,” King said. “I’m really happy to be doing it with these guys and we’re looking forward to a lot more new fans. We’re just excited to be out doing it.”
For those just starting to get acquainted with the band, King said, Fitz and the Tantrums is excited meld together one cohesive show with a great live atmosphere that isn’t just a regurgitation of their recording sound.
“People come away feeling great after our show,” he said. “We’re excited.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. on Nov. 16. The show is slated to begin at 8 p.m. Also performing will be special guest Barnes Courtney, a solo artist from England.
Tickets for the show range $25-$113 and are available at the box office or at Paramountny.com.
