Trampled By Turtles (TBT) is an American bluegrass band from Duluth, Minnesota. Since releasing their debut album in 2004, the band has toured the U.S. with Pert’ Near Sandstone, White Iron Band, Cracker, and Lucero. The band describes the sound of their music as thrashgrass.

Trampled By Turtles performed at the 2005, 2006, and 2007 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

People often find it hard to categorize the music of Trampled by Turtles. Is it bluegrass? Not quite. Is it folk? Not quite that either. TBT’s songs vary from angst-ridden barn-burners that border on punk-rock, to sweet, slow, country (and not-so-country) laments. When asked, the band doesn’t seem to care what you call them. Alt-bluegrass, non-traditional bluegrass, it’s best to just listen for yourself.

Trampled by Turtles is Dave Simonett (guitar), Tim Saxhaug (bass), Dave Carroll (banjo), Erik Berry (mandolin), and Ryan Young (fiddle). They call Duluth, MN home, but have spent the last five years taking this music across the country, playing in venues ranging from raging basement parties to places like The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and New York’s Bowery Ballroom. Finding their appeal extended beyond the traditional “bluegrass crowd”, they’ve opened for and toured with the likes of Low, Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, and Pedro the Lion. They have also found a loyal following at festivals such as 10,000 Lakes, Wakarusa, Rothbury, and Pickathon.