In this special WinterWonderGrass Series episode of the Steamboat Sound Check podcast, presented by McCreight Progressive Dentistry, we sit down with Dave Carroll—better known as Banjo Dave—from the legendary bluegrass-meets-folk-rock outfit, Trampled By Turtles.
Formed in Duluth, Minnesota, over 20 years ago, Trampled By Turtles has built a dedicated following with their raw energy, intricate instrumentation, and heartfelt songwriting. Though they are deeply rooted in their home state, their music resonates strongly with Colorado audiences, making them one of the more highly anticipated acts to hit this year’s WinterWonderGrass stage.
Dave opens up about his personal connection to Steamboat Springs, having lived here for a stint, and weighs in on the infamous Yampa Valley Curse. We talk about the band’s unconventional path to bluegrass, how their punk and rock backgrounds helped shape their sound, and the challenges of maintaining balance in a relentless touring lifestyle. He also sheds light on Trampled By Turtles’ 2024 EP Always Here, as well as their recently released beautiful cover of Bon Iver’s For Emma, recorded in collaboration with Sumbuck, and how they approached reinterpreting a song that holds deep meaning in the indie-folk world.
With WinterWonderGrass around the corner, Dave reflects on what makes the festival so special and what he’s looking forward to most when returning to Steamboat. If you’re a fan of Trampled By Turtles or just love hearing stories about the magic of Colorado’s mountain lifestyle and music scene, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
