On the Rise: Tubby Love’s Roots, Family, and Music Grow Strong
Sometimes you can just feel the genuine love through someones music. That is what I feel when I listen to Tubby Love. His acoustic songs speak of celebration, giving thanks, being the change, love, and staying true to oneself. Tubby’s sound waves embrace traditional roots reggae, the funk movement, and some rock instrumentals. His voice is a powerful instrument in itself, combining that good vibe singing, some hip-hop rhythm, and beat-boxing.
Originally from the dirty south of Savannah, Georgia, he now calls the island of Kauai, Hawaii, home. Hawaii has become known for birthing a number of roots musicians, most notably Nahko Bear. However, Tubby has found a team of artists to collaborate with there, including his queen, Amber Lily. The two are currently on tour and have both just released individual albums! The pair remind me of Adam and Eve with their natural love stemming from the garden. Their collective tribe is extremely passionate about land, food, and community. The family is combining these passions with their art and movement.
I think what stands out most about Tubby is his explosive energy, sense of humor, and positive presence. You can see and feel the love and excitement radiating from his demeanor and dance moves. He and Amber possesses strong, unashamed self-expression on the stage. I first saw him perform when he opened up for Trevor Hall last year in Florida and then earlier this month when the couple were on stage with Trevor at ARISE Music Festival. His music reminds me to be grateful, to love, and to keep my positive perspective alive.
Tubby lives his message of co-creation to the fullest. He created a full album with Paul Izak (Love is Alive) featuring bands such as Passafire, Dopapod, and Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad. Some other music brothers are Cas Haley and Dustin Thomas, and he has also shared the stage with Nahko Bear, Mike Love, and John Brown’s Body. I recently got to ask Tubby some questions to get know the soulful, expressive man a little more. Check out the interview below to learn more about him, his crew, and his movement!!!
Q: If you could share stage with any artist that you haven’t performed with yet, who would it be?
A: Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi for suuuuure.
Q: What are some of your other passions besides music?
A: Right now I am living on the island of Kauai, and I just planted sixty coconut trees with my partner Amber Lily and our family. I am learning about what it means to live in community and take care of the land. WHOA. It takes lots of passion and compassion.
Q: Tell us something really random about yourself?
A: I eat (purple) sweet potato hash every day. It’s my favorite! With a farm egg on top and some greens from the garden… mmmm.
Q: Who are some upcoming artists we should know about?
A: Funny you ask; we’ve recently seeded an artist collective called “The Roots Family” featuring some extremely inspiring musical lights including Amber Lily (whose album I am finishing as we speak), Tangled Roots Tribe, Jus Wright, Saratone, The Flow, Mama T, Paul Izak, and many more to come!
https://www.facebook.com/amberlilymusic
https://www.facebook.com/tangledrootsmusic
https://itsjuswright.bandcamp.com
http://saratonehome.org/listen/
https://theflowbandhawaii.bandcamp.com/releases
http://campfireanthems.bandcamp.com/ (Paul Izak)
Q: Guilty pleasures?
A: I have so many. If you are ever at the fruit stand in Moloa’a, get the Date with Fate + peanut butter. Trust me.
Q: What is your personal vision for your life?
A: I’ve had so many. Right now, it’s being happy wherever I’m at and letting the music flow through!
Q: What are some festivals you haven’t performed at, but hope to in the future?
A: Hmm… I know that there are so many awesome ones I still don’t even know about! But the one I hope to play most hasn’t been born yet… The first double two-week music/permaculture festival where everyone comes to get down in the dirt and put their hands in the land. Imagine what that would be like, harnessing all that human energy and giving it back to the earth!
Q: Craziest tour story?
A: Well I’m about to go on a 40-show tour in a few days, and I still don’t have a van or a driver’s license…
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your experience at Berklee College of Music?
A: Berklee is a musical nexus and portal for international “troubadation.” I’ve met so many people and gone so many places due to my time spent there. Thank GOD for scholarships ?
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your role as a producer?
A: I’m a roots producer. Meaning: I believe in the spirit of the music over the quality of recording equipment. I am learning so much right now about musical midwifery. One of my favorite quotes is, “Don’t get it right; get it written.” We gots to get the music to the people! And the cool thing is, nowadays we can fit all the technology of a huge expensive recording studio into a tiny laptop… There are no more excuses! Let JAH Music Play!
Q: What are some festivals that you have played at?
A: I’m a sucker for family-friendly festivals like Shangri-La + Project Earth (Wookiefoot of MN), Flow Fest (Big Island, HI), Yogarden Festival (Oahu, HI). I’ve gotten the chance to play some cool festivals this year as a support act with Trevor Hall like ARISE (Colorado) + California Roots (Monterey, CA) and also got to MC the Bali Spirit Fest in Indonesia.
Big thanks to Tubby Love for sharing his time, vision, and passions with us. Now is the time to go listen to some of his tunes! My favorites are “Love Yourself,” “Get Up and Move Your Body,” and “Simple City.” Go now and spread the love!