Diggin’ Dirt and Far Out West

Diggin’ Dirt

Diggin Dirt began planting its roots back in 2011 in the town of Arcata, CA in Humboldt County. The original lineup was a jammed out quintet that consisted of a double guitar rhythm section and a tenor saxophone. The original five (Rory Urquhart, Joey Incorvaia, Drew Weitzel, John Callahan and Aaron Gottesman) had high hopes of getting house party gigs and maybe one day performing on a stage. Practices, gigs, and seasons passed as the band traveled through many incarnations of members and genres. The band took pieces from each chapter and kept moving forward, all the while staying anchored to the heavy groove element that Diggin Dirt has become known for.

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In 2016, Diggin Dirt found its current form when it added a Humboldt local, the soul man, Zach Alder, and his commanding vocal element into the mix. The horn section also evolved when it rounded out its sound with the addition of Tyler Martin on baritone saxophone. The newly conglomerated 7-piece band had instant chemistry, and after only a few months of playing together, released their Full Season LP. Their debut album is comprised of 11 tracks that showcase musical influences ranging from afrobeat to reggae and rock, always with that characteristic funky Diggin Dirt soul.

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The band began touring outside of Humboldt County in the spring of 2017 throughout California and Oregon, and was met with a tremendous response. A reputation of quality original music backed by high energy performance grew around the Dirt’s name, and in turn inspired them to keep growing. With this growth came new tunes and the recently released Bedrock EP. Showing more musical maturity and a new depth of identity, the album is a true sign of more to come.

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The band is influenced by funk heavy hitters such as James Brown, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins and Sly and the Family Stone as well as reggae bands like Steel Pulse and modern funk like Orgone. Dirt has appeared at several festivals including High Sierra Music Festival, Salmonfest, Emerald Forest, the Trinity River Jamboree, Northern Nights, and the Benbow Summer Arts and Music Festival among others.

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The Dirt is more inspired than ever, and ready to bring the music to the people. With more expansive West Coast tour dates, and fresh material coming out of their preparations, the group shows no signs of slowing down as they expand their reach. Earn that paycheck, and dust off those dancing shoes because we’re looking at you tonight! Keep checking in on this funky force, and make sure to come out and groove when you happen to find them in your neck of the woods.

You gotta dig that dirt!

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“Dusty Roads, gonna take me there…I aint traveling far. Packing my suitcase…tie my knapsack tight and I took off down the road. Telling all my friends not to miss me none, down in the valley below…and I know, I’m gonna find it…it’s just a matter of time”

 – Diggin Dirt

Far Out West

Far Out West brings a unique and energetic brand of funk that features groovy beats and rootsy vocals. The quartet performs a spectrum of sounds; their original songs fuse together soulful folk-inspired lyrics with crunchy instrumental endeavors guided by the stylings of jazz and rock. Popular cover songs by artists like James Brown, The Grateful Dead, The New Mastersounds, and Sharon Jones are also often sprinkled into the set list. Far Out West has been performing around the Pacific Northwest since 2016 and consists of Liz Chibucos (guitar and vocals), Chad Kimbler (mandolin), Danny Lee (bass), and Forest Carter (drums).