The String Cheese Incident Releases New Instrumental ‘Fête-Tama’

The String Cheese Incident released the new single “Fête-Tama.” Keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth wrote the instrumental with the intention of creating a dance-oriented track spotlighting percussionist Jason Hann.

“Fête-Tama” combines electronic elements, funk and African-inspired percussion. Hollingsworth initially developed the melody on keyboards before bringing the song to his bandmates to complete the arrangement.

“‘Fête-Tama’ was inspired by some of the world music I’ve been listening to recently,” Hollingsworth explained. “I knew I wanted to have a dance-oriented song in the style of some of our other electronic fiddle tunes. I wrote the melody on keys and brought it to the band, and we flushed it out together.”

Hollingsworth noted that “Fête” means “party” or “festival” in French, while “Tama” refers to an African drum. “I wanted to showcase Jason‘s percussion expertise,” Hollingsworth added. “But in the end, it became a fun dance track that gets everyone grooving.”

SCI debuted “Fête-Tama” at the House Of Blues in Houston on May 30. The band has continued to work the instrumental into setlists throughout the summer, including performances at Electric Forest, Red Rocks and during last month’s East Coast run. The song also closed SCI’s collaborative set with Leftover Salmon at the Pines Music Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on August 14.

“Fête-Tama” follows the June release of “Lightning Sky”, which marked The String Cheese Incident’s first new studio music in two years.

The String Cheese Incident returns to the stage this weekend for a two-night run in Vail, Colorado. Livestreams of both shows are available for nugs subscribers. SCI will then head overseas for the inaugural Moroccan Incident, a three-night destination event taking place September 24 – 26 in Marrakech.

The band will return to Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida next month for three performances, including the Warren Haynes Incident on Saturday night. SCI’s Just Keep Spinning Fall Tour follows, with dates running through December 12 in Del Mar, California.

Stream “Fête-Tama” below: