TAUK

Tauk Tears the Roof Off Portland House of Music 

BennyD, Co-Founder, Soundwaves, Host of Ben Jammin' Jam Band Hour
 

There is a specific kind of joy in bringing friends to a show when you know exactly what is about to happen to them, but they have absolutely no idea.
 

That was the mission this past Saturday night at the Portland House of Music. I rolled up with a full Soundwaves contingent. Joining me were fellow contributors Mike and Troy—the latter of whom you likely know as the featured co-host of Ben Jammin’ Jam Band Hour—along with Jason.
 

But while the squad was deep, the experience level was split. Jason and I were the veterans; we had caught Tauk the last time they rolled through the Seacoast at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH, so we knew the level of technical precision we were in for. For Mike and Troy: This was their maiden voyage. They were the Tauk rookies. And spoiler alert: they didn't stay rookies for long.
 

The Surprise: MJT

Before we get to the headliner, we have to talk about MJT. Usually, when you see an opener you aren't familiar with, you grab a beer and settle in for some background noise. That didn't happen. MJT grabbed the room immediately.

Hailing from Long Island, MJT is a trio of brothers—Matt, David, and Jordan Godfrey—who blend funk, rock, and jazz with a very distinct soul feel. It hits way harder than a standard opener. The whole crew was pleasantly surprised; they didn't just warm up the stage, they brought a serious energy that set the tone for the night. They are definitely a band we’ll be keeping on the Soundwaves radar. You can check them out at mjttheband.com.
 

The Main Event

Then, Tauk took the stage, and from the jump, they made it clear they weren't messing around.

For the uninitiated, Tauk is a masterclass in musicianship. Because they are purely instrumental, there are no vocals to hide behind—the instruments have to do all the talking. And man, do they talk.
 

You have Isaac Teel on drums, who is an absolute machine, locking into a pocket so deep you could get lost in it. Then there’s Charlie Dolan on bass, who provides that heavy, melodic low end that drives the whole engine. Matt Jalbert’s guitar work cuts through it all with a tone and precision that is just next-level.
 

But as a fellow keyboard player, Alric "A.C." Carter is a personal hero of mine. Watching him work is just a different experience. He is a wizard on the keys, layering textures that range from ethereal space-funk to gritty synth leads that fill every inch of the room. The interplay between the four of them is almost telepathic.
 

They opened with a seamless transition of "Mokuba" into "Horizon," which immediately grabbed the room. That segment set the pace for a setlist that was excellent from top to bottom, spanning their entire discography. It felt like a perfect survey of their evolution.
 

For me, the other standouts were "Space Ghost," which brought that deep, atmospheric groove, and "Chopped Cheese," which absolutely ripped. It’s one thing to hear these tracks on the album, but seeing them executed live with that level of chemistry is a different beast.
 

Watching Mike and Troy experience that instrumental wall of sound for the first time was the highlight of the night. It’s one thing to tell your buddies, "This band is tight," but it’s another thing entirely to watch their faces melt in real-time.
 

The Setlist

For those keeping score at home, here is what went down on Saturday:

 

• Mokuba

• Horizon

• The Fly

• Flashback

• Space Ghost

• Tumbler

• Sound the Alarm

• The Spot

• Waver

• Gate 9

• Weenus

• Chopped Cheese

Encore:

• Melvins

• Bedford
   

The Venue & Crew

I also want to give a nod to the Portland House of Music production crew and staff. The sound was fantastic—crisp, clear, and perfectly balanced—and everyone working that night was really friendly. It’s rare to find a spot that nails both the technical side and the hospitality, but the whole experience was wonderful from start to finish.
 

Merch Table Magic

I have to give a massive shoutout to the woman holding it down at the merch table. She was an absolute legend helping me score a signed tour poster, and honestly, I’m kicking myself for not catching her name in the excitement. If you're reading this: thank you. She went above and beyond to make it happen, and it’s those little interactions—just genuine kindness between fans and crew—that make this scene so special.
 

The Verdict

If Tauk is coming within a 100-mile radius of you, the rule is simple: Go. And if you can, bring a rookie. Watching their brain explode is worth the price of admission alone.