Josh Chaffee

Turkey Farm Five, a genre-defying five-piece hailing from Chester, are wholly unique in their ability to kick out ethereal jams. Relaxing and sway inducing, their music is aided by the musical expertise showcased by each member.

"We've all known each other for a number of years through school, college and just playing music in general," said bassist and vocalist Jim Lashway.

Though each member is involved in a variety of music projects, the Turkey Farm Five outlet coalesced, and performed their first show on Nov. 1, 2013. The group consists of Lashway, Josh Chaffee (vocals and guitar), Mike Alexander (electric mandolin/banjitar), Joe Biglin (vocals and keys) and Matt Fordney (drums).

"Josh wrote a bunch of originals and we started getting everyone together," said Alexander.

"The original aspects of Josh's songs just kind of work for the four of us," agreed Fordney.

Not long after that first show, the group recorded a three-song demo. With a crisp and unblemished recording quality, it warrants a number of listens.

The group is headquartered at Larison's Turkey Farm, which Chaffee's family has owned for 15 years. On top of the music, Chaffee operates Let It Grow Farm (www.letitgrownj.com) on the premises, where he grows produce without synthetic chemicals and creates specialty products like salsa, jam and hot sauce.

"You can still see some of the dirt under his fingernails," said Lashway of Chaffee, who was picking tomatoes prior to the Band of the Week interview. "He's a hardworking dude."

The members started their separate forays into music at an early age. First a piano player before guitar, Chaffee started writing originals at 12 years old.

A self-proclaimed "hummer and strummer," he usually writes the melody and lyrics for Turkey Farm Five's jams. "I bring it to these guys and they turn it into what you hear," he said.

"We just talk the song out. Everybody has input on it," said Fordney, who doesn't remember a time in his life when sticks weren't in his hands, of the writing process.

Alexander started playing mandolin and banjo around the age of 10. He learned banjo by listening to the "Deliverance" soundtrack, and replicating the sounds. The mandolin his grandmother purchased when he was younger is still the instrument he uses today.

Biglin was also around music at an early age thanks to his family. He tinkered with the piano at his grandfather's house when young. However, he tackled a variety of other instruments before returning his focus to keys in his late teens.

Lashway picked up guitar at the age of 10. A troublemaker, he discovered the instrument after he was grounded, and barred from watching television, playing video games and seeing friends. At 14, he picked up the bass.

When performing, the group focuses on originals. However, they'll throw in covers of the Grateful Dead, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels and even Michael Jackson.

Additionally, they'll play their own interpretations of long-lived bluegrass songs, tunes that have been reinterpreted over the years by a myriad of artists and passed through generations.

"We're not into boundaries," said Lashway.

Currently, the group is in the midst of recording a new EP. They hope to release it by the holidays or the new year.

"It's important to get the music to the people in a way where they can enjoy it over and over," said Biglin. But "ultimately, we are more enthused about doing the live shows and having that energy." - NJ Herald