Hailing from Austin, Texas, Mamafesta is a band creating waves on both the local and national level. This unique five-member band brings a sound that is the “sum of all of our individual musical influences,” says Zack Morgan (keys/vocals). Mamafesta made their KAABOO debut at KAABOO Del Mar 2017 and returned again in 2018. They are set to play the festival’s debut Texas edition the weekend of May 10-12th at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
All Things KAABOO Texas: An Indulgent Adult Escape In Texas
We sat down with the band to catch up on all things Mamafesta, KAABOO, and what is in store for the future of this Texas Groove-Rock bowl of musical gumbo. Born in 2011 from a broad palette of sounds and a conscious awareness for the rhythms of the universe, Mamafesta has created a sound that entirely stands on its own two legs. 2019 has already been loaded with success for these guys– with highlights including a Texas run with Perpetual Groove and a slew of new music for their upcoming second album.
Morgan says that “the band itself represents a sound reminiscent of The Allman Brothers, Little Feat, The Meters, and other southern rock and funk staples.” Lowell Carrico (guitar/vocals) voices that as a writer, his “role models include Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Hunter Thompson, and Ken Kesey.”
A distinctive feature of Mamafesta is that every member of the band contributes to the vocals of their songs. Morgan says the band “puts a lot of work into the lyrics and vocal arrangements…each voice has its own characteristics and when they’re blended together it makes something special.”
Lowell comments on the writing process of the band and that “regardless of how the song is conceived, it always matures with the help of all members of the band, the audience and the environment in which it is raised up in. No song shall be served before its time.”
The band is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the KAABOO Texas lineup after playing two years at the fest’s Del Mar gathering. The 2019 KAABOO Texas lineup showcases some legendary musicians, and Morgan adds “we are honored and blown away every time we look at the list of artists. This year at KAABOO Texas I am really looking forward to Sting, The Avett Brothers, Lauryn Hill, Lukas Nelson, and many others.”
Carrico sums up the festival quite wonderfully, “KAABOO, at its core, is the idea that a high end, luxury experience can take the shape of a giant, living, outdoor, feel good, let your hair down, rock and roll show and still provide the decadent culinary, world-renowned artwork and top tier comedic relief for the concert goer who thought their festival days were over as well as the youth of America in their coming of age.” We could not have said it better ourselves.
We also heard that their tour DAD-AGER (tour manager/dad), Steve Sullivan, is making synthesizers inside of Tupperware containers that the band is now using at live shows…for real! Be sure to keep up with all things Mamafesta on the band’s Facebook and Instagram pages as well as catch their set at KAABOO on Sunday, May 12th.
KAABOO Texas will feature performances from The Killers, Kid Rock, Sting, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Little Big Town, The Avett Brothers, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Pitbull, Counting Crows, Alanis Morissette, The Black Eyed Peas, Ludacris, Flo Rida, Garbage, Andy Grammer, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Violent Femmes, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and many more.