MOSCOW — Matt Moss of Steel Toed Slippers rose from the Redwoods in Humboldt County, Calif., to deliver what he says is the band’s most refined and refreshing sound yet.
The band will make a tour stop tonight at John’s Alley Tavern in Moscow to perform songs from its latest album, “Slippin,” which was released in October. Moss said the group’s rock n’ roll-jazz-funk sound has matured since its last album.
“The last record we did was three years ago,” Moss said. “This new album gave us a chance to show people how much we’ve grown in the past three years.”
Steel Toed Slippers is composed of Moss and Will Nicoll. The two met in high school in the small town of McKinleyville, Calif., and have been playing together ever since. In 2007, Moss and Nicoll embarked on their first West Coast tour, which included a sold-out show at The Wiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles.
Since then, they’ve worked with a pair of Grammy Award-winners in songwriter Johnny Lee Schell and producer Ed Cherney.
Moss, who was raised in a town of about 900 residents, said the music scene there and what’s he’s experienced traveling through large cities has helped shape him as a musician.
“Wherever you go, you find some bit of a local music scene,” Moss said. “It’s really awesome experiencing music that’s coming out of small towns and then big cities like Seattle.”
Moss said he and Nicoll attempt to break the barriers between the band and the crowd during every one of their performances.
“We try to be honest with our music and I think that helps us connect with people who are listening to us,” Moss said.
“Slippin” and Steel Toed Slipper’s past albums can be streamed and purchased online at www.steeltoedslippers.bandcamp.com.
If You Go What: Steel Toed Slippers When: 9:30 p.m. today Where: John’s Alley Tavern, 114 E. Sixth St., Moscow
