Tas Cru brings blues to Bird Cage

Tas Cru, a touring blues player out of upstate New York whose songs have been described as raucous, rowdy, gentle, sweet, eccentric, quirky and outright irreverent, is performing next week with His Band of Tortured Souls.

Though he grew up in a musical family, it was through hanging with the rough crowd of older, self-taught musicians who introduced him to the songs of the Sun Records legends where he explored and developed his talent. His first foray into blues came after leaving the United States Navy when he joined a band formed by former shipmate Delray Streeter. At the time, he had no idea where it would take him and was just into the whole idea of playing in what he thought was an authentic blues band, Cru said.

“I’ve come a long ways in what I understand is what authentic might mean,” he said. “It’s a little bit deeper than that, but what an experience. It was a real eye-opener to not only the music, but the understanding of what it means to be the real deal.”

Tas Cru and His Band of Tortured Souls will be at the Bird Cage Saloon, 160 S. Montezuma St. from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5. There is no cover charge.

A songwriter, Cru said he gets inspiration for his songs from things he’s experienced or observed, filtering them all through his imagination and desire to make sure the lyrics are interesting.

“I believe that words matter and I believe that songs should be crafted in a way that they portray the idea or the story as well they can,” he said.

With years of performing, numerous albums and charted songs under his belt, it’s making a connection with his audiences, taking them somewhere they didn’t plan on going but were open to getting in that state where nothing matters except the moment, that keeps him going, Cru said. The important part is they’re there together, he said, noting that’s when all the miles and hardships just melt away.

His show at the Bird Cage Saloon will be filled with good playing and good energy, he said. Also, Cru encouraged those who plan on coming to check out his website, listen to some of his music and get familiar with what he does so it will be more intimate even though it’s his first time in Prescott.

For more information about Tas Cru, visit www.tascru.com.