Delta band Gypsyluvin aims to keep earthy, authentic sound

Delta band Gypsyluvin gives blues, rock, and country its own ‘rootsy, earthy spin,’ says guitarist Monte Tucker.

J.M. PHOTOGRAPHY

Delta band Gypsyluvin gives blues, rock, and country its own ‘rootsy, earthy spin,’ says guitarist Monte Tucker.

There’s a motto guitarist Monte Tucker emphasizes during a phone interview with The Blade about his indie/​folk group Gypsyluvin: “Keepin’ it real.”

“I feel our music is that way,” Tucker, 62, said. “We put a lot of personal energy and emotion into our music.”

The Delta indie/​folk band performs Sunday at The Roadhouse and Patio in Swanton.

The guitarist started the band in 2005 as a duo with Lisa Yoder. Yoder left in 2013, and vocalist/​hand percussionist Dawn Alexander joined the lineup. A few few years later Scott Kesler, lead and bass guitarist, made the group a trio.

At any given gig, which includes restaurants, wineries, and patios throughout northwest Ohio, Gypsyluvin can be seen playing original folk songs and covers ranging from Bob Dylan to Foster The People and Nirvana to Sheryl Crow. One of Tucker’s favorite songs to cover with Gypsyluvin is “Hurt” by Johnny Cash.

“We’re very diverse,” he said. “Our approach is we take songs whether it be blues, rock, country, and give it our own little rootsy, earthy spin interpretation of acoustic and put it on ourselves to make it a little our own style. That’s what we do.”

Inspired by John Denver, James Taylor, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson as a teenager, Tucker said he puts heavy influence in the harmonies within the band, hand-held percussion aesthetic, and tempo changes throughout songs.

“I work hard on dynamics,” he said. “We really pride ourselves on our sound.”

Tucker also plays his harmonica during the band’s sets.

“I love the sound of the harmonica and I started picking it up and loved how it accompanied my guitar,” he said. “It fits nicely with what we do.”

Throughout the 13 years since the band’s inception, the name Gypsyluvin has never changed.

Tucker said he likes to think of himself as a gypsy.

“Don’t put me in one place too long,” he said. “I love traveling; I love going to different towns and moving around and seeing new sights.”

He also said the band’s stage presence is key to its performance, incorporating an oriental rug and battery-operated candle.

“I take it with us everywhere we go,” he said. “It just helps us get that little vibe going.”

All three members have full-time jobs; the band is a project they pursue in their spare time.

Tucker owns his own business, which grants him enough time flexibility to practice and play shows.

To hear some of the band’s music and covers, visit https://​soundcloud.com/​gypsy_luvin.

“This is our passion,” he said. “This name has stuck and seems to be really catching on.”

Contact Geoff Burns at gburns@theblade.com or 419-724-6054.