Welcome back friends to another episode of Shecky's
Jam Bands. Your guide to the weird wild and wonderful
corners of the Jan band universe. Today we're
diving into the most beloved and unique groups
to come out of the modern jam scene and they're
called Twiddle. Now if you ever set foot at a
festival in the past decade you've probably heard
their name tossed around often followed by someone
saying Man, you gotta check out their set. And
they're right. So who are Twiddle? The band was
formed back in 2004 at Castleton State College
in Vermont. Founding members Mahali Savallidis
on guitar and vocals, Ryan Dempsey on keys, Brooke
Jordan on drums, and Zidnek Gubb on bass. built
the band around a shared love of improvisation,
genre bending, and storytelling. Vermont, of
course, being the fertile soil that gave us fish,
made for the perfect incubator. And the name
Twiddle, well, legend has it that it was born
out of a playful banter between the band members.
Kind of whimsical, nonsensical word that stuck.
It reflects their vibe perfectly. Light -hearted,
fun, but with depth if you dig in. Now, let's
talk about songs. If you're new to twiddle, here
are some essentials to put on your playlist.
The first one is Jamflow Man, their well -known
tune. It's practically an anthem in the jam scene.
Lyrics are cheeky, the groove is infectious,
and the jams go anywhere. A perfect entry point.
Second one you should check out is Friends theme
and Friends, by the way, is spelled without an
I for some reason. Yes, spelled without an I,
this is Twiddle's love letter to the community,
inclusivity, and good vibes, a crowd sing -along
favorite. Thirdly, you should check out Lost
in the Cold, a heartfelt melodic track that shows
their songwriting chops and their ability to
connect emotionally. not just through jams. Lastly,
check out White Light. This is more spiritually
charged and it mixes introspection with soaring
improvisation. Of course, what really sets Twiddle
apart are their live jams. Let's break down some
of the most unforgettable moments fans still
talk about. First of all, this jam flow man transitioning
into Frankenfoot. which is one of their other
songs. This combination has become a staple at
shows. Jamflow Man starts out playful, but when
they slide into the darker, funk -driven groove
of Funkin' Foot, that's like flipping the emotional
switch from day to night. Another one is Tumble.
It's the extended version. This track gives Mahali
room to take guitar solos into blissey, soaring
territory. while Ryan Dempsey's keys keep it
grounded. Some versions stretch past 20 minutes
and their journeys within themselves. The third
one is called Doink and Boink. Yes, that's the
actual title called Doink and Boink. It's quirky,
spacey, and often a launching pad for experimental
jams where anything can happen. Expect funky
bass, cosmic keys, and crowd laughter. Last jam
you should check out is When Lost and Cold goes
type 2. Fans know this tune as a ballad, but
every once in a while Twiddle lets it evolve
into a transcendent jam that leaves the audience
buzzing. What makes Twiddle jam special is how
they balance playfulness and with emotion. One
minute they're laughing at Ryan's goofy keyboard
fills, and the next you're lost in a guitar solo
that feels like a spiritual awakening. A few
fun facts for you about Twiddle. Twiddle created
Tumble Down Festival in Burlington, Vermont,
a multi -day celebration that brings together
jam bands, friends, and community. Secondly,
their fan base, affectionately known as Friends,
has grown into a movement centered on kindness,
positivity, and inclusivity. And last fact that
you should know is Mahali also had a strong solo
career where he blends reggae, folk, and jam
influences, but Twiddle remains his core. If
you haven't yet, dive into Twiddle's catalog.
Catch them live if you can because that's where
the magic really unfolds. Whether it's goofy
energy of Jan Floman or the soul -stirring lift
of Lost in the Cold, Twiddle reminds us that
jam bands aren't just about the music, they're
about community, fun and shared experiences.
That's it for today's episode of Shecky's Jam
Bands. Until next time, keep your ears open,
your feet moving and your soul tuned to the jam.