Rising Stars: Meet Calumet of Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Calumet .

Hi Calumet, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Calumet is an original band formed in 2001 by Eric Mobley and Jason Mitchell, after a chance meeting in a music store. With a foundation of funk and soul, we incorporate many other influences, including rock, jazz, and pop. We’ve played shows with Al Green, Kool & the Gang, George Benson, and more. After releasing three albums from 2002-2006, the band went on hiatus for nine years in 2009. Eric and Jason decided to reform the group in 2018, and have since released an album, two EPs, and thirty singles. Calumet performs at numerous festivals each year and has a strong online presence of music and videos.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No smooth road here, with many personnel changes and difficulties along the way. Besides the usual challenges getting gigs and listeners, members have cycled through the lineup over the band’s long history. There has been friction, personality issues, and we’ve lost people to the darkness in their lives.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We create our own modern, funk-influenced music with heavy grooves and strong hooks. The music features the soulful lead vocals of Eric Mobley and we’re known for vocal harmony, horns, and socially conscious songwriting. Eric and Jason are multi-instrumentalists and write the music, with recording contributions from the other members. We don’t seek to recreate the past, instead striving to write memorable songs that resonate musically and lyrically.

What were you like growing up?
Eric and Jason are children of the ’70’s, which made a big imprint on us. Getting to hear all the great music that came out during that period influences what we do now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://calumetband.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calumetbandaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonafunk/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt5ntKsTMkAO646PjeWhauw
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XIAEZvFmaxsJwhs5CvSAU?si=Jalw8ChbQTey0RIeyMsLtg