Rocking the Stage: Tchotchke's Guitar-Driven Sound on Playin' Dumb
Tchotchke, a New York trio, is making waves with their self-styled diva rock sound on their sophomore album, Playin' Dumb. Guitarist Emily Tooraen's musical journey began at a young age when she attended the Eric Clapton Crossroads Festival, sparking her love for blues and rock music. After various musical endeavors, Tooraen joined forces with drummer Anastasia Sanchez and bassist Eva Chambers in 2019 to form Tchotchke.
Tooraen's guitar influences shine through on Playin' Dumb, where she showcases her Eric Clapton Strat and Gibson SG to create a fuller tone in the three-piece band setup. Her gear includes a Fender Hot Rod amp, a Boss pedalboard with MXR Phase 90 and Analog Chorus pedals, an Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork pitchshifter, a TC Electronic Flashback Delay, a Boss OD-3 overdrive pedal, and a Korg Pitchblack tuner.
The album's guitar-heavy tracks like "Poor Girl" highlight Tooraen's fuzz-heavy boogie riffs and searing solos. Produced by the Lemon Twigs, Playin' Dumb is a celebration of femininity and empowerment, aiming to break stereotypes and showcase Tchotchke's pride in being women in the music industry. The band's journey from touring with The Gossip and The Makeup to creating their own unique sound is a testament to their passion for rock and blues-rock music.