Fitz And The Tantrums

Fitz And The Tantrums are an American indie pop and neo-soul band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008 by vocalist Michael Fitzpatrick and keyboardist Noelle Scaggs. The band — completed by bassist Joseph Karnes, drummer John Wicks, guitarist James King, and saxophonist Jeremy Ruzumna — developed a sound rooted in classic soul and R&B, channelled through the energy and melodic directness of indie rock. Pickin' Up The Pieces (2010), their debut on Dangerbird Records, was received with enormous enthusiasm by critics who appreciated its confident synthesis of vintage Motown and Stax sounds with a contemporary indie sensibility. The dual lead vocals of Fitzpatrick and Scaggs were particularly praised, as was the band's commitment to organic, live instrumentation in an era dominated by electronic production. More Than Just A Dream (2013) pushed in a more polished pop direction and expanded the band's commercial reach. Handclap (2016), the lead single from their self-titled album, became their breakthrough mainstream hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and introducing the band to a much wider pop audience. The transition from indie soul to mainstream pop was not universally welcomed by early fans, but demonstrated the band's commercial potential. All The Feels (2019) continued the pop direction. Fitz and the Tantrums remain one of the more successful acts to emerge from the neo-soul revival of the late 2000s, their early catalogue in particular standing as a well-crafted contribution to the tradition of American soul music.