Kicking 2024 off on the right foot, Cam and his Dam Jam Band recently released a debut full-length album entitled The Paradise Experiment on New Year’s Day. Traversing the sonic territories of funk, jazz, blues and psychedelic rock, the band’s energizing and accessible sound rises above clear categorization, tapping into a variety of techniques to get audiences moving and grooving.
“Our music is designed to help facilitate a really good time—to help make the listener just forget about the things that are weighing them down and get lost in a fun, genuine groove,” says the band’s guitarist and vocalist Cam Norton.
Cam and his Dam Jam Band grew slowly and organically over the course of several years. Music has always been in the blood of Norton, whose father was the lead guitarist of The Grapes, a jam and Southern rock band from Atlanta that actively toured throughout the ‘90s. Norton and bassist Garrett Gray met during college through their fraternity and soon became housemates, started writing songs together and began playing out around Dahlonega as a bass and guitar duo.
When Norton was accepted into a graduate program at the University of Georgia, the two relocated to Athens. While working as a teaching assistant for first-year chemistry students, Norton met saxophonist Brian Nichols, who later introduced him to drummer Max Seldes. The band played as a four-piece for a while, until Norton spotted Jacob Mallow performing on keyboard with Convict Julie one night and knew his soulful R&B style would add depth to the band.
In true jam band fashion, the band members leave the opportunity open for off-the-cuff improvisation and in-the-moment magic-making during practices as well as live performances. Norton describes the band’s songwriting process as a bit chaotic, but it’s a collaborative approach that results in members responding to each other in real time for an ever-evolving sound.
“An idea will form, usually from myself or Garrett, and then when it’s brought to the band, all bets are off,” he says. “Ideas get thrown around and tried out, lyrics get morphed and changed, and everything is on the table. Eventually, a cohesive unit is created, and then the song is ‘done’—until we play it live, and suddenly a new idea happens in the middle of a jam, and the song will change from there. So I guess it’s a creation, destruction and re-creation method. Very organic.”
Gliding between genres, The Paradise Experiment reflects the wide-ranging musical tastes and stylistic influences of its members. Melodies often circulate between which instrument is leading them, creating a full-bodied sound where each player shines. Whether it’s a funky, jazzy or heady tune, a consistent openness to jamming out coalesces the tracks together and creates a positive headspace for listeners.
Clocking in at just under 10 minutes—this is a jam band, after all—the opening track “Backpack of Stone” sets a laid-back, relaxed tone for the album with warm Wutlitzer organ, smooth saxophone melodies and bluesy vocals. Starting out upbeat and happy-go-lucky, “My Potion / Three Hours Later” tonally shifts into a more somber and contemplative melody. This psychedelic thread is carried into the following track, “Jet Black Moon (Extended Version),” a melancholic tune that breaks open midway with wailing guitar and soaring vocals. The closing tracks “Carry Her Away” and “Afterparty” are funky, fun songs that end the album on a bright note.
“I would hope that each listener takes away something different from the record,” says Norton. “Everybody needs something different, so I hope everyone gets what they individually need from the music.”
The new eight-track album was recorded over four day-long sessions at Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta, followed by nearly a year of overdubbing, mixing and fine-tuning under the helm of head engineer Kevin Pergantis. “Kevin very quickly became to CDJB what George Martin was to the Beatles, and if it wasn’t for him, our record wouldn’t be half of what it is today,” says Norton.
Several guest musicians are featured throughout the album, most notably Owen Hite (The Regulars) on keyboard, piano and organ. Trumpeter Lalo Sanchez and trombonist Jameson Childers contribute bright layers of brass to “Somethin’ New,” “Gypsy Magic Woman” and “Afterparty.” Chase Washington (Josh Bennett Band) and Trey Miller add guitar and harmonica, respectively, to “Rob a Bank.” The album’s artwork was created by local graphic designer Allie Browning.
Cam and his Dam Jam Band will celebrate the release of The Paradise Experiment on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Georgia Theatre with Bea Porges and Wim Tapley & The Cannons.
“Truly, the main goal is to have as many people as possible enjoying the music and having the Dam Jam Band as part of their life,” says Norton. “All we want to do is share the music, share the grooves, share the love.”
WHO: Bea Porges, Cam and his Dam Jam Band, Wim Tapley & The Cannons
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show)
WHERE: Georgia Theatre
HOW MUCH: $18
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