Turning Over a New ... Sound: Tea Leaf Green

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IF THIS ROCK band thing doesn't work out, Tea Leaf Green singer-keyboardist Trevor Garrod has a backup plan: cruise-ship pianist.

Earlier this month, Tea Leaf Green went aboard Jam Cruise, a voyage filled with jam bands rocking out on a ship's deck. Onboard was a grand piano, one several of the ship's piano men tried out, including Garrod.

"I just got to dust off some of my lounge accent," Garrod said. "There is this sort of alter ego that I have, kind of more private than my lounge act. I would love to sit around all afternoon and just croon some of the standards."

Lounge aspirations aside, Garrod's focus is still Tea Leaf Green. Last year was a transition of sorts for the San Francisco-based band with bassist Reed Mathis, who replaced Ben Chambers in late 2007, finally stepping in full-time. TLG also released its first album with Mathis, "Raise Up the Tent," filled with shorter, simpler, jam-light songs.

With Mathis now seasoned, Garrod said the band plans to record again soon, but not necessarily conventionally. "I'm kind of jazzed into a more futuristic — or past — sort of thinking of putting out singles in an old -fashioned way, maybe trios: Go into the studio and record three songs and then make those available online."

Tea Leaf Green may also have a new sound with that new thinking, one Garrod sees as more dramatic — maybe even a bit orchestral.

"I kind of want to do more bloated arrangements," Garrod said. "I don't know if it's a good idea; people do seem to like the songs and stuff."

» 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW; with the Hackensaw Boys, Sat. Jan. 24, 8 p.m., $15; 202-265-0930, 930.com. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Rudi Greenberg
Photo Courtesy C. Taylor Crothers