The Tarka Groove Experiment is a seven piece blues, roots and rock band who draw comparison to Gomez, John Butler Trio and Crosby, Stills & Nash. The band originally formed in Leeds as a three piece: James Fender (Vocals/Guitar), Nathan Leyton (Drums/Percussion) and James Knox (Bass). At the age of sixteen, they decided to pack their bags and head for the bright lights of London. They have since been joined by Brazilian Felipe Schaffer Neves (Lead Guitar/Lap Steel), New Zealander Pascal Roggen (Violin), Andreas Millns (Keyboards) and Desiree Thorpe (Backing Vocals).

The past 12 months have been incredibly busy for The Tarka Groove Experiment. During the summer of 2006, under the guidance of Nick Hunt (The The, Placebo, Dave Stewart) at Boogieback studios, work began on the band’s first record. Mastering was finished in December at Abbey Road by Geoff Peche and "I've Fallen Over" went on general release in February 2007. The album was greeted by some great reviews and went straight into the top 5 on the Fopp indie album charts. The animated video for debut single "Get On Down" was screened at the Raindance Film Festival, and was nominated for an award at Ottawa Film Festival.

To coincide with the album’s release the band embarked on a 2 month UK tour to promote the album, including supporting slots with Jack Penate and OPM. Whilst on the road, "I've Fallen Over" received airplay from XFM Glasgow and TTGE were invited for interviews and acoustic sets at BBC radio Manchester, BBC Radio Bristol, Revolution FM (Greater Manchester), Atlantic FM (Cornwall), Ceredigeon FM and South Hamms Radio. They also appeared on television, giving an interview and performing 2 acoustic tracks for Channel M music show “City centre social”. Sell out dates in London, York, Winchester and the South West followed, as well as a short 2-week tour of the French Alps that included a main support slot to The Automatic at the "Party on the Piste" festival in Val D'Isere.

The band’s music has more recently been heard on the Surfers Against Sewage/Quiksilver DVD that was released with Wavelength magazine to promote awareness of pollution on our beaches.

With a chilled out feel, positive message and great funky grooves, TTGE are the perfect band for a warm summer’s day, so try to check them out over the summer, as they will be playing at a festival near you.

The band is signed in the UK to Pura Vida Records (www.puravidarecords.com) and proudly sponsored by Domino Threads, Plain Lazy Clothing and Sanuk.