Questions for Ian Neville

Dumpstaphunk.

Ian Neville grew up steeped in music, as his father was Art “Papa Funk” Neville, one of the famed Neville Brothers, and his home town was soulful city of New Orleans. He was playing in his father’s band, The Meters, by his early teens, and Meter musicians Leo Nocentelli and Brian Stoltz taught him how to play funk guitar. In 2003, Ian and his keyboardist cousin Ivan Neville split off to form Dumpstaphunk, considered New Orleans’ premier funk band. The band performs Thursday night for Jazz in the Park at Cathedral Square.

How would you describe your style of music?

Our music is based on heavy funk with a blended vibe of rock, jazz, reggae, hip-hop, blues, etc…

Who are your main musical influences?

Our main musical influences are some of the all-time classic bands thateveryone should know about like Parliament/Funkadelic, Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, The Meters, Tower of Power and many others. Each bandmember would definitely have many more flavors to throw in that list on anindividual basis.

What do you hope the audience gets out of watching you perform?

I hope the audience feels our love for the music we play and just music in general. If the audience feels that then it helps us carry on the legacy of some of our musical heroes.

It’s tough but it’s basically the same as someone on their regular day to day grind, trying to balance work and non-work responsibilities… but we get to travel and play music for people as our job… score!!

What is your favorite thing to see in the audience while you are on stage?

One of my favorite things to see in the audience from the stage perspective is someone fully jamming out, dancing like there is nobody watching at all.

Where can fans see you next?

Our next show is the night after our Milwaukee performance for a Friday the 13th show at Bottom Lounge in Chicago.

Is there a musician dead or alive that you would love to perform with?

A Stevie Wonder/Dumpstaphunk collaboration would be incredible.

More information on upcoming Dumpstaphunk performances can be found on the funk band’s website.