By: Anand Harsh

In developing a lineup for The Untz Festival that closely aligned with the senior staff's jam roots, we definitely skewed towards our old favorites. While the bill is chock full of Colorado acts, one such act precedes them all, and is a monster in our eyes in the livetronica world.

We've been fans of YAMN for years, now. The four-piece scratches our jam itch, but they also know how to jump into that electronic pocket. We presented the band's big nationwide tour this past fall, and now we're stoked to bring the unit out to Mariposa, California from June 2nd to the 4th.

I got a chance to chat with Yamn's bass player Dewey about the band's big Colorado run with Electron (featuring members of The Disco Biscuits, JRAD, and Lotus) that kicks off Friday night at the Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO, moves on to the Gothic Theatre in Englewood, CO on Saturday, January 16, and closes out with two nights at the Barkley Ballroom in Frisco, CO January 17th and 18th. We also covered the guys' relationship with electronica.

This upcoming 4-night Colorado run with Electron is going to be epic! When you're playing with an act that has die-hard fans and high expectations, what does YAMN hope to prove in that support slot?

Yeah, we are stoked. Our goal is to hit the stage and be ourselves. Let the sets take on their own mind each night. We really are just looking to have a good time as a band, warm up the crowd with some shredding guitars, synthesizer, and hard grooves and get the party started each night the right way... RAGING!

Are you bringing out any special guests on the run?

We have been touring as a 4 piece for almost two years now, mainly with two guitars and each guitar player playing various synths and such. For this run though we are very happy to have our good homie, Jimmy Dunstan, playing keys. Jimmy is a badass! He's a Philly area cat the just relocated to Colorado so we are very happy to have him aboard for the run. We expect some jams to get a little dirty. Rehearsals have been tight!

Who are some of your favorite electronic acts? Especially those who might be seeping into your own jams and original tunes?

Got to love the big guns like Daft Punk and Prodigy. And of course your jam scene live-tronica staples like STS9, Lotus, Disco Biscuits, and The New Deal. We don't really focus to much on other electronic acts in our sound, although when we do end up playing something that sounds like another band we usually label that part after them in a rehearsal setting, but it's mainly by accident when those things happen. We've been digging playing a lot of drum and bass styles of jams lately, we are just trying to make it our own style.

I personally have been digging on Goldfish a lot though, I think those dudes crush. Definitely tasty stuff. RJD2 and Tycho have been in the mix lately as well. Not sure if Ratatat counts, but they've got some pretty sweet tunes, also.

Are there any acts on The Untz Festival you're excited to see?

Got to give it up to the Colorado contingent! Dynohunter, Greener Grounds, and Evanoff. We've done a few gigs with The Werks over the years and always dig on those guys. Desert Dwellers always put on a great performance also. We are very excited in general to be apart of TheUntz.com's first festival, we feel very honored to be able to perform.

For fans who haven't gotten to see you live, yet, what can they expect at The Untz Festival?

Ripping guitars and tasty grooves. It's a dance party with a rock edge!

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You can catch Yamn, along with some of the best in livetronica like The Werks, Turbo Suit, Evanoff, Dynohunter, Greener Grounds, and more at The Untz Festival at Mariposa County Fairgrounds in Mariposa, CA from June 2-4, 2016. Visit www.theuntzfestival.com to grab your tickets!