Taper's Choice is a jam-minded quartet born in Los Angeles, built by players tied to Real Estate, Vampire Weekend, and DARKSIDE.

Indie roots, jam instincts

Their identity leans on song-first intros that open into patient, exploratory sections where the groove does the talking. Expect long transitions and a few anchoring tunes like Doner Wrap, Lick the Toad, Dark Tropics, and Walkin' Around before they drift into fresh territory. The crowd skews mixed: indie listeners, jam lifers, and gear-curious fans comparing pedals and mic rigs while still leaving space for dancers up front.

Lore built live

Trivia heads will note the name nods to classic taping culture, and the band initially prioritized live recordings over studio drops to let shows define the story. Another neat quirk: quick board or audience tapes often circulate, so riffs get nicknames that stick from city to city. For clarity, the specific songs and production touches mentioned here are educated guesses, not a locked blueprint for your night.

The Scene, From Floor Tape to Merch Table

Tapers, tees, and little rituals

You will spot vintage bootleg tees, faded baseball caps, and practical sneakers, with a few fans sporting small mic stands near front-of-house to capture the room. Between songs, there is a hush that invites the next segue, then a low cheer when the band snaps back to a theme you recognize. People trade notes about versions, point out quick quotes inside jams, and compare setlists from the last run. Merch leans into the lore: show-specific prints, playful inside-joke designs, and the occasional nod to old cassette aesthetics. The dance style is relaxed, more about pocket and head-nod than big leaps, but peaks can still lift the room in sync. It feels communal without pressure, like a meetup for people who enjoy hearing a riff take the scenic route.

Community built one version at a time

The Long Game: Musicianship and Sound

Song bones, open endings

Vocals arrive like guideposts, clear and unshowy, while the instruments handle the long arcs. Guitar chases texture as much as melody, moving from clipped funk to hazy sustain that helps the keys set the mood. Keys favor warm electric-piano tones and small synth lines, often nudging the harmony so the jam feels like it is turning a corner. The rhythm section drives with a springy, center-of-the-beat feel, leaving air for bass fills that become their own hooks. A common onstage trick is to reframe a chorus as a minor vamp, then slide into a new groove without a full stop. Another subtle habit: short ambient loops cushion the handoff between sections, so transitions feel fluid instead of abrupt. Lights usually paint broad color washes that follow the music's pulse, supporting the arc without shouting over it.

Groove first, colors second

Kindred Travelers on the Circuit

Adjacent grooves, shared patience

Fans of Goose will recognize the slow-burn builds and danceable peaks that favor feel over flash. If you like the instrumental highways of Circles Around The Sun, the shimmering guitar delay and pocket-first jams will land. Khruangbin devotees may appreciate the spacious tempos and crisp bass-and-drums pocket that give solos room to breathe. The textural swirl and nocturnal mood of DARKSIDE connect too, especially when guitar and synth lean into smoky, repeating figures. These links point to a shared love of groove, repetition, and small melodic ideas that grow into big moments. If you collect live recordings or compare versions, you are already in the same conversation. Together, they sketch a map for listeners who like song shapes that stretch without losing the thread.

Different roads, same pulse