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The Los Angeles-based rhythm and blues band Vintage Trouble has a retro sound — with slick suits to match — that appeals to rock, soul, country and even metal fans.
"We just came from Europe and Hell Fest, a heavy metal festival with 50,000 to 60,000 people. We were playing right before Megadeth," said lead guitarist Nalle Colt. "It was unbelievable — after 15 minutes we had 15,000 motorheads loving it."
Colt, who was born in Sweden, said the universal appeal shouldn't be a surprise considering the diversity of the band, which also includes Ty Taylor (vocals), Rick Barrio Dill (bass guitar) and Richard Danielson (drums).
"Everyone in the band comes from different backgrounds, and we moosh it together into our music," he said. "Sometimes we sound like Led Zeppelin and other times we sound like Otis Redding. It's awesome to see and it makes us super happy to have such a diverse crowd."
Vintage Trouble has played several times during the Sundance Film Festival and opened for legendary performers including The Who, the Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones and Lenny Kravitz.
During the last month, the band has been one of the opening acts for the Dixie Chicks. The Grammy Award-winning country trio, returning to the stage after a multiyear hiatus, brings its world tour to Usana Amphitheatre in West Valley City on Friday, Sept. 2. American roots duo Smooth Hound Smith also performs.
In advance of the show, Colt answered a few questions about Vintage Trouble's big break, the members' penchant for fashion and what keeps them grounded. His answers have been edited for length and clarity.
You started in L.A., and then traveled through Europe. What was your big break?
After being together three weeks, we spent a whole year doing shows in L.A. We just wanted to let the band grow on a stage, perform live and see how the audience reacted. We were doing four to five shows a week when we met manager Doc McGhee [who worked with KISS, Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe]. He saw us play in a restaurant and came up and asked what do you want to do. We knew performing in Europe was something we wanted and he helped us do it. We got really lucky early on when we were asked to perform on "Later … with Jools Holland" [a contemporary British music television show]. We had never been on TV before and there we were standing next to k.d. lang. Things exploded after that. We were trending No. 4 on Twitter and our website crashed. They made a documentary, "80 Shows in 100 Days," about what happened to us in such a small amount of time.
What's the story behind "The Bomb Shelter Sessions," your first studio album released in 2011?
It wasn't supposed to be an album. We had only played together three months. I had a friend with a studio and we asked if we just go down and demo some songs. It was done really fast, in just a day, and we had no idea it would be an album.
Your music has been described raw and soulful. What inspires you to write that kind of music?
Everyone has been in so many other bands [before this one]. We've been chasing the music industry forever. But with this band, we just forget about it and have fun. Say what you want to say; play what you want to play; stop and find what is inside of you. I'm from Sweden, from a different culture than the rest of the band, but the others are from different U.S. cities and grew up differently. We have so much history, now we seek that out for inspiration. Traveling and meeting other bands, American and European, is inspiring, too. We just saw Robert Plant play. We just couldn't believe how good he was. We were awestruck and you can't help but rush back to the bus and get your guitar. Then there are young bands like 21 Pilots with an inspiring and fun message.
The band is always slickly dressed in tailored waistcoated suits. Why the attention to fashion?
It's something that all of us really liked and became a thing with us. There's something about '50s music where they dressed up and performed. I loved that style and grew up with that. Back then the band looked like a band. There was no doubt who they were.
Fans use terms like the "real deal" and "humble" to describe the band. With all your success, how do you keep from getting a big head?
It's a beautiful thing to work with big legendary artists. We've toured with AC/DC a lot and talked to singer Brian Johnson, who says the only one way to make it is to play, play, play. Don't look back, just work. That's a huge carrot for us. Just work hard and we could sell out a stadium on our own. This is a boyhood dream. I was the kid who stood in front of a mirror with a broomstick, pretending to play guitar. It's incredible and I hope it never ends.
What's next for the band after the shows with the Dixie Chicks?
We'll take about a week off and then jump into the studio. We've been working a lot on new music and have been inspired by new places. We want to work with a lot of different producers and get a lot of flavors on this album. We want to get some new blood, who can stir us up a little bit and challenge us in a way we haven't been challenged.
Hollerin' in the Hen House
The Dixie Chicks are on their DCX MMXVI World Tour, the first time in three years the group — made up of lead singer/guitarist Natalie Maines; Emily Robison on banjo, dobro and guitar; and Robison's sister, Martie Maguire on fiddle and mandolin — have toured North America. Openers are Vintage Trouble and Smooth Hound Smith.
When • Friday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
Where • USANA Amphitheatre, West Valley City
Tickets • $29-$125; Smith's Tix
More • Smooth Hound Smith, including "one-man-band" Zack Smith (guitars/vocals/foot drums/harmonicas/banjo) and Caitlin Doyle (vocals/percussion), perform to wrap up the season for the annual Park City Summer Concert Series.
When • Saturday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m.
Where • Mountain Stage at Canyons Village, 4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City
Tickets • Free, guests welcome to bring blankets and picnics; http://www.parkcitymountain.com/events