You've heard The Park, even if you don't recognize the name. As the Bay Area's most in-demand rhythm section, the trio quartet of Derek Taylor (drums), Josh Lippi (bass), Ben Schwier (keys), and Nate Mercereau (guitar) has laid down backing grooves for new-generation rap chaps Freddie Gibbs and Big K.R.I.T, cult '70s soul singer Darondo, and the Bay's own Wallpaper. But beyond providing the sounds for other vocalists, The Park holds ambitions to be recognized for its own original compositions, like this week's These Are The Days EP. So we recently caught up with Taylor to talk about the influence of the Roots' career, Ricky Reed's studio habits, and how the Park would soundtrack talk show entrance music for this year's presidential picks.
The Park has gained a good reputation backing up other artists, but is it hard to gain recognition as a band in your own right?
Definitely. When you're a core of musicians, a lot of people want to hear a vocalist and we don't have one vocal voice for the group right now, so just being an instrumental group is a little harder. But it's something we strive to do, and we also enjoy working with different styles and different people.