Bonzai get it lit with One Margarita in their intoxicating new reggae-rock single and video — premiering exclusively on Tinnitist.
A sweet party anthem destined to leave you inebriated, the Tennessee reggae-rockers’ latest release is a slow-burn earworm of crests and curves that combine with one purpose: To toast, cajole and replenish your soul.
“One Margarita was written in mind to make anyone who hits play to let go of all their inhibitions just live in that very moment,” says MC / vocalist Keela, adding they “wanted to make a feeling that hits you in a certain way to let loose and grab you a cold drink and just … live. Featuring Greg Shields of Kash’d Out, we feel like this song is the right concoction to be that perfect party thirst quencher.”
Indeed, rock and reggae have long been a reprieve from the angst of being. Rhythm and blues morphed with riddims ’n’ bass amplifying your drive, waking your body and connecting your mind’s eye to the divine. No need to take sides, just turn it up and enjoy the ride.
While Jamaica, Florida and Cali lay claim to many of the reggae and dancehall greats, this new quartet from West Tennessee is ready to change the frame, up the game, create some waves and alter brains with their infectious wordplay.
Laying it down and lighting it up since 2019, Bonzai are the creative cross-cultural consciousness from the minds of Chris ‘Keela’ Case (MC, vocals), Landy ‘Taco’ Moore (vocals, guitar), Madison Bryson (drums) and Taylor Whitney (bass, keys). The chemistry is palpable on their six singles, Stereotypical, Pyro, Moon, Taking Back, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah and the recent four-alarm fire My Turn, which brims with hints of ska and alt-rock.
Friends since they were seven, Case and Moore (based in Jackson, TN, an hour outside of Memphis) were instantly in synch, collaborating on several artistic endeavors along the way. Bryson came into the fold in 2017 after Case and Moore saw him perform while in another band. The last brethren to join was Whitney, in 2019. Originally from Syracuse but now in Tampa, Taylor’s a skilled bassist/keyboardist with a knack for studio wizardry. An extraordinary engineer, he recorded and mixed the new single (with mastering by industry icon Howie Weinberg) and is finishing up work on the group’s forthcoming debut album, set for early 2023.
Watch the video for One Margarita (ft. Kash’d Out) above, sample more from Bonzai below, and join the party on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
