Lake Street Dive

Lake Street Dive
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Name	Lake Street Dive
Origin	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genre	Pop, Soul, Jazz
Years active	2004–present
Label	Signature Sounds, Nonesuch
Current members	Rachael Price, Bridget Kearney, Mike Calabrese, Akie Bermiss
Past members	Mike "McDuck" Olson

Lake Street Dive. The band is an American pop and soul group originally formed in 2004 by students at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Known for their sophisticated harmonies and vintage-inspired sound, the quartet has released a series of critically acclaimed albums and built a dedicated following through extensive touring and dynamic live performances. Their music seamlessly blends elements of jazz, Motown, and classic pop rock, earning them nominations for prestigious awards including the Grammy Award.

History

The ensemble was founded in Boston by trumpeter and guitarist Mike "McDuck" Olson, bassist Bridget Kearney, drummer Mike Calabrese, and vocalist Rachael Price, who all met while attending the New England Conservatory of Music. They initially experimented with free jazz before settling on a more accessible pop and soul direction, naming themselves after a street of dive bars in Minneapolis. Their early independent releases, like *In This Episode...* (2007), gained a cult following, leading to signing with Signature Sounds Recordings. A 2012 YouTube video of their The Jackson 5 cover, filmed on a Boston sidewalk, went viral, significantly boosting their profile. This led to performances on notable shows like The Colbert Report and tours across North America and Europe. After the departure of Mike "McDuck" Olson in 2021, keyboardist Akie Bermiss, a longtime collaborator, officially joined the lineup. The band has since released albums on the prestigious Nonesuch Records label, including *Obviously* (2021) and *Good Together* (2024).

Musical style and influences

The group's sound is a meticulous fusion of Motown-era soul, vocal-centric pop, and the harmonic sophistication of jazz. Critics often compare Rachael Price's powerful, emotive vocals to legends like Aretha Franklin and Etta James, while the instrumental arrangements draw from the melodic bass lines of The Beatles and the rhythmic drive of Stevie Wonder. Their repertoire includes original compositions alongside inventive covers of artists ranging from The Jackson 5 and Annie Lennox to Paul McCartney and Fleetwood Mac. This eclectic approach is underpinned by their formal training at the New England Conservatory of Music, allowing for complex harmonies and tight, jazz-inflected musicianship that sets them apart in the contemporary pop rock landscape.

Band members

The current core membership consists of lead vocalist Rachael Price, bassist and vocalist Bridget Kearney, drummer and vocalist Mike Calabrese, and keyboardist and vocalist Akie Bermiss. Price, a native of Nashville, is renowned for her commanding stage presence and soulful delivery. Bridget Kearney, who won the International Songwriting Competition for her songwriting before the band's fame, provides foundational bass lines and backing vocals. Mike Calabrese contributes drumming, vocals, and songwriting. Akie Bermiss, who had toured extensively with the group as a supporting musician, became a full member following the departure of founding member Mike "McDuck" Olson, a multi-instrumentalist from Minneapolis who played trumpet and guitar.

Discography

Their studio album output began with the independent release *In This Episode...* (2007). Their major label debut came with *Bad Self Portraits* (2014) on Signature Sounds Recordings, which reached number 18 on the Billboard 200 chart. This was followed by *Side Pony* (2016), which garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Album. Subsequent releases include *Free Yourself Up* (2018), *Obviously* (2021), and *Good Together* (2024), the latter two released through Nonesuch Records. They have also issued several EPs and live recordings, including *Fun Machine* (2012) and *Obviously (Live)* (2022), showcasing their acclaimed concert performances.

Awards and nominations

The quartet has received several significant accolades recognizing their musical contributions. Their album *Side Pony* earned a nomination for Best Contemporary Album at the Grammy Awards in 2017. Individual members have also been honored; Bridget Kearney won the grand prize in the International Songwriting Competition in 2006 for her song "Sometimes When I'm Drunk and You're Wearing My Favorite Shirt." The band itself was nominated for Artist of the Year at the Boston Music Awards in 2014, cementing their status as a leading act from the New England music scene. Category:American pop music groups Category:Musical groups from Boston Category:Nonesuch Records artists