by Jake McKenzie
photo by Joseph Cultice
When Michael Fitzpatrick found a good deal on an old electric organ, he bought it and wrote the first Fitz & The Tantrums song, “Breakin’ the Chains of Love,” later that night. Fitzpatrick had an idea in his head for a neo-soul group with a modern indie pop tinge and to help flesh out the idea, he called old friend/saxophonist James King, who called a singer and a drummer, who called a bassist and so forth until this group, which would become known as Fitz & The Tantrums, was six deep and instantly vibing with each other. As Fitzpatrick puts it: “It was literally five phone calls, one rehearsal, and we could have played a show that night.” Their first show would have to wait a full week, however, but they’ve been off and gunning it full throttle ever since. Their fourth studio album, All the Feels, is scheduled to drop on September 20.
