Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to The Smoogies. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
The, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Before we became known as The Smoogies, we were curating and leading bi-monthly jam sessions in Miami, FL. In that series, we would show up and improvise as a collective unit, and the chemistry was just there as a band, and we were playing for our friends. From the start, we were playing music we loved and playing music for the crowd; we wanted everyone hanging and bopping their heads when they were listening to us. We tried to create an environment for everyone to bring a date on, to meet up with their friends for drinks, and for young musicians to come out and interact with the music community. This led us to create the music that became our first album, Planet Smoogies. We wanted to create a world for people, especially those coming out of the hard times in 2020. We wanted to create a place with this record where people could feel good and inspired and just vibe out. Our first album’s journey led us to pursue that concept even further by creating the music on People Music. We felt venues and labels were trying to box us in, and we didn’t want to be held down by any genre. People Music is the term we coined to encompass these worlds we created and a genre, a movement that we are pushing that is our purpose: to create music for the people, for all people in this world.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
We are excited to announce that the first single of our upcoming 3rd album has been released as a video on YouTube and all streaming services. Our first single is entitled Colorful Himalayas + Panera Bounce Live! At The Bridge. We are preparing for our performances in January 2024 at the South Beach Jazz Festival and our debut performance at the Adrienne Arsht Center. We are planning our album release and touring dates for the 2024 calendar year. For those who haven’t gotten to know The Smoogies, this is who we are and what we are about- Meet The Smoogies—a vibrant assembly of diverse, multi-talented composers steeped in a rich blend of cultures and life experiences. This musical smoothie, led by Vaughn “V.KEYS” Henry on keys and vocals, Dion Kerr on bass, Harvel Nakundi on drums and percussion, and David Chiverton on drums, embodies a fusion of formal musical training rooted in Miami and South Florida.
Individually, each member has graced stages worldwide, lending their expertise to acclaimed acts like Lauryn Hill, Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note, Richard Bona, Marcus Strickland, Kirk Franklin, Ignacio Berroa, Godwin Louis, Etienne Charles, and more. Their versatility as both leaders and accompanists underscores their collective prowess.
Pioneers of a distinctive movement called “People Music,” The Smoogies advocate for inclusivity through their music—a philosophy evident in their eponymous second album. As they delve deeper into their sound as a quartet, they’re poised to unveil their third album—a vibrant, live recording captured against the backdrop of Miami.
Their journey began with a buzz-inducing feature on “The Chivertone Sessions,” catching the attention of trumpeter Nicholas Payton and resulting in their debut release, “Planet Smoogies.”
For those seeking an unparalleled musical odyssey, The Smoogies invites audiences on an unforgettable live experience meticulously crafted to foster a sense of community and inspiration among listeners. Get ready to embark on a unique musical voyage with The Smoogies.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As an independent band/artist, it is essential to know the industry’s business side and the music side of things. We think it is equally necessary to understand how booking, mixing, production, and advertising play significant roles in this industry. Whether we like it or not, they are crucial skills to be educated on and will save you time and money by knowing the insides and outs of every aspect of the music industry.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Nothing beats real-life experience. Everything we learned has been from just getting out and doing what you want to be doing. Life has a way of teaching us these things, and we all have the mindset to continue to grow and get better and be open enough to learn these lessons. We keep that mindset, which has helped us continue developing the project and ourselves in the right direction.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thesmoogiesband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmoogies/featured
- Other: https://thesmoogies.bandcamp.com/album/people-music
Image Credits
Rue 3 Photography
