Wooster

Rank #8 Santa Cruz, CA Rock / Soul / Reggae

About

Members: Brian Gallagher, Caroline Kuspa, Zack Donoghue, Bobby Hanson, Nate Fredrick

Sounds Like: The Black Keys, Citizen Cope, The Expendables, Mason Jennings, Foster The People

Manager: Jennifer Gallacher

Bio: Years of living on the road, crashing on strangers’ floors and playing for sweating, screaming crowds have infused Wooster’s sound with a precious ingredient known as life force. Give this Santa Cruz, CA-based soul/reggae/rock quintet’s new album If All the Dew Were Diamonds a spin, and you’ll he... See Full Bio

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Status

: Thanks!! RT @ShaneO911: @woosterband , just found you guys on twitter. You rock! Looking forward to seeing you at Moe's again

Press

“What better way to celebrate the season than groovin’ to some homegrown reggae-soul on the beach? This Wednesday, head down to the Esplanade for the annual Twilight Concert Series, starring Wooster, one of Santa Cruz’ most promising acts—a smoldering blend of bluesy vocals and funky beats, perfect for cozying up to that summer flame. Since the release of their 2009 debut album, The Heights of Things, the septet has seduced a growing number of fans with slow grind “Ooh Girl,” and their latest single “Take It Easy” further proves the band is just getting started.”

— Jenna Brogan, Good Times Santa Cruz

“The band’s debut album, The Heights of Things, was released in 2009. A buzz about the band has been steadily building ever since. Several things set Wooster apart. Gallagher’s writing is infused with a hip-hop sense of rhythm and story, and he sings with a coolness and ease that somehow combines the urgency of his New York beginnings with the more laid-back vibe of Santa Cruz. Kuspa, on the other hand, sings like the wind. As a whole, the band swings with an almost jazz-like intensity while crossing musical terrains that include reggae, soul, and straight-up infectious pop.”

— Mark McDermott , Wooster on the rise

“Hailing from sunny Santa Cruz, California, Wooster (or Brian, Caroline, Bobby, Nate, Zack, Dustin, and Gianni!) incorporates the laid-back vibes of their beach-bordered hometown to create a one-of-a-kind pop sound which infuses blues, soul and reggae.”

— Jenna Rubenstein , Seventeen Magazine

“Like a whiff of fresh air from the north, Wooster takes the stage at underground lounge La Cave to show late-night party people how Santa Cruz does it. With their self-proclaimed “love for the groove,” the band (led by boy/girl vocal duo Brian Gallagher and Caroline Kuspa) walks that finely-tuned line between reggae, funk, and easy acoustic rock. Currently on a coastal California tour and still riding the comet tail of last year’s LP, The Heights of Things, the sometimes 5- sometimes 7-piece ensemble isn’t slowing down anytime soon—they’re already working on a new EP, hopefully to drop this fall. Dirty Heads fans should take a listen to the easy, breezy single “Ooh Girl”—perfect for these end-of-summer nights.”

— ERIN DEWITT , OC Weekly

“Take Mraz' penchant for pop-reggae rhythms, add a little Dave Matthews vocals and rock instrumentation and a little bit of Johnson's laid-back surf grooves and you have an approximation of Wooster's sound. No wonder this band has become one of the more popular Santa Cruz bands with a horn-driven sound that appeals equally to the reggae, jam band and indie rock 'n' soul crowds. The crowd favorite "Ooh Girl" will burrow its way into your head and stay there all summer if you let it. ”

— Mac McDonald , Monterey Herald

“There’s something addictive about Wooster’s music. Clever lyrics, sweet male-female harmonies and laid-back beats combine to make you want to listen to more and more while your feet move with the rhythm.”

— Weekend Santa Cruz

“Fronted by the dynamic Caroline Kuspa and anchored by a cast of local music stalwarts, Wooster has risen to the top of Santa Cruz's party band pile. Reaching deep into blues, soul and vintage reggae, the band adds its own charge to sounds that would come across as dated in less capable hands. ”

— Paul M. Davis, Santa Cruz Weekly

"One of Santa Cruz' liveliest local acts, Wooster has become a crowd favorite in a relatively short period of time. The band kicks on a winning amalgam of blues, soul and reggae anchored by grooves played by crack players who know their way around some elastic funk. The band's secret weapon is vocalist Caroline Kuspa, whose singing chops and emotive power are undeniable. With the band gearing up for the impending release of its eagerly awaited full-length The Heights of Things, expect to hear a lot about Wooster in the months and years to come."

— Paul Davis, Santa Cruz Weekly

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Recent Blogs

Wooster Your Earbit
Dec 10, 2011
Listen to Wooster on earbits.com and help put our single on top of the pile at S... [more]

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Songs

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House On Fire

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Tie Your Boots

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It's All Good

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Ain't Right For Me

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One Night Only

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Videos

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Shows

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Sun
Jun 2

Roaring Camp Railroad
Felton, CA, US | 5:45pm
Roaring Camp Railroad
Felton, CA, US
Sun Jun 02 5:45pm
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Redwood Mountain Faire. Wooster plays Creekside Stage Sunday at 5:45.
Thu
Jun 27

Pioneer Park - Calistog…
Calistoga, CA, US | 6:30pm
Pioneer Park - Calistoga ...
Calistoga, CA, US
Thu Jun 27 6:30pm
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Free
Sat
Jun 29

Skypark
Scott's Valley, CA, US | 11:00am
Skypark
Scott's Valley, CA, US
Sat Jun 29 11:00am
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Hop N' Barley Beer and BBQ Festival. Check website for schedule.
Sun
Jun 30

Niles Town Plaza
Fremont, CA, US | 1:00pm
Niles Town Plaza
Fremont, CA, US
Sun Jun 30 1:00pm
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Comments

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Mo Bic
Cool stuff - like me, https://www.facebook.com/mobicmusic The Album "MEIN BLICKWINKEL" now obtainable at Amazon and Musicload . You will find the link on my hom...
Bobby McIntyre
very nice music here:)
Premonition
Smooth sound guys!! Keep up the good work!!
Tarantula Serpent
Big ups Wooster! Saw you in the UA ad too. Killin it! Cheers.
Smith III
Hi, Congratulations! Nice music! Could you drop in sometime and support or listen to ours? Put A Stamp On It! Smith III
Kerry Leigh
Great blend of genres and styles.