--- title: "The New Mastersounds: Behind 26 Years of FUNK with Eddie Roberts" description: Dive into a candid interview with Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds, exploring 26 years of funk, notable performances, and their 2025 U.S. tour. image: https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/EDDIE_ROBERTS_01-1.webp --- [Skip to the main content.](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/the-new-mastersounds-funk-eddie-roberts#main-content) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) - Example Link - Example Link - Example Link 3 min read # The New Mastersounds: Behind 26 Years of FUNK with Eddie Roberts [![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Feb 14, 2025 4:54:29 AM [music festival venues](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-venues) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [band interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/band-interviews) ![The New Mastersounds: Behind 26 Years of FUNK with Eddie Roberts](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/EDDIE_ROBERTS_01-1.webp) This week I talk with [Eddie Roberts](https://www.instagram.com/theeddieroberts) about his long and amazing musical career, from his beginnings in Jazz to the formation of his funk band [The New Mastersounds](https://www.newmastersounds.com/). In 2024, they celebrated their 25th anniversary as a touring Funk band. Eddie is a Welsh-born guitarist, music producer and entrepreneur, and The New Mastersounds are one of this year's headliners for the upcoming [Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/florida-whippersnap-music-festiva-shane-levigne) that will happen at the [Florida Sand Music Ranch](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9vKuhye8V3_nlaK2lakIUeyivOA8xzKY) in Brooksville, FL from February 19th - 20th, 2025. In the conversation, you'll get the history of the band and learn when and why Eddie chose to make the move from the U.K. to the U.S. We get into the band's line up of members, how they approach studio recordings, some of their notable live performances, favorite venues and so much more. We dig into their 2025 U.S. tour that includes a stop at the 4848 Festival held in Snowshoe WV, and how Eddie got to know the guys from [Greensky Bluegrass](https://youtu.be/dSwn7lrYZYU) which helped land that gig. You'll even hear a surprising story about how Eddie fell in love with sailing.   --- ### Up Next Week: My Conversation with Ben Bloom of Funk Band The Polyrhythmics. ![Ben Bloom Polyrhythmics](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ben%20Bloom%20Polyrhythmics.jpeg?width=476&height=476&name=Ben%20Bloom%20Polyrhythmics.jpeg)Formed in 2010, [The Polyrhythmics](https://www.polyrhythmics.com/) are a Seattle-based instrumental ensemble that originated in the city's underground deep funk scene. They have also produced records under Eddie Roberts record label, [Color Red](https://color-red.com/collections/polyrhythmics). The band is known for blending tight grooves with bold brass and hypnotic percussion, incorporating elements of R&B, progressive jazz, and Afrobeat into their sound. Over the years, their music has evolved to include a more progressive sonic palette, resulting in their unique brand of psychedelic funk. [Ben Bloom](https://www.instagram.com/horseradishtree) is the band's guitarist, a composer, and a music producer in his own right. His journey began with piano lessons in his youth, fostering an early interest in improvisation. During high school, he transitioned to guitar and immersed himself in jazz, participating in jazz bands and studying music theory. He co-founded Polyrhythmics in late 2010 with drummer Grant Schroff. Bloom has also been involved in projects like [Rippin Chicken](https://open.spotify.com/album/7rYz1Atk9qx2wL2MoNI6Cu?autoplay=true) and the [Unsinkable Heavies](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1W5SrRiomJa3EMNnsSDGTm). Make sure to tune in next week to hear my chat with Ben that will drop on the day of their festival performance down at Whippersnap. --- ### ![MFP 16x9 Outtro](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%2016x9%20Outtro.gif?width=443&height=249&name=MFP%2016x9%20Outtro.gif)Win 2025 Festival Passes for You and a Neighbor If you found this website for the first time on a Google Search, I’d love to have you [join The Neighborhood.](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/) That's our official email newsletter Neighborhood subscribes get exclusive content that's not published on the website or channels as well as chances to enter drawings for ticket giveaways to festivals all over the U.S. Subscribers also get access to discount codes and deals from our growing list of supporting partners.   Make sure to visit the homepage and [sign up to Join the Neighborhood](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/) with your email address. You'll get no more than one email each week as we roll into the spring and summer festival seasons. See you on the inside. 👋 --- ### ![Joanna ](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Joanna%20.jpg?width=300&height=400&name=Joanna%20.jpg)WinterWonderGrass Drawing Winner Announced! I'm thrilled to announce the winner of the passes to WinterWonderGrass 2025! 🍻 BIG CONGRATS to our neighbor [Joanna Goodman](https://www.instagram.com/jojoroll21)!  Joanna attended last year's festival on crutches, but is back on healed legs this year and ready to dance and ski in Steamboat! If you want to dance and ski too, you can still get passes at the [WinterWonderGrass website](https://winterwondergrass.com/). I want to extend extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible partners at [Bonfire Entertainment](https://bonfirentertainment.com/) and the WinterWonderGrass Festival for their generous support and collaboration in making this exciting ticket giveaway a possible!  And, a big thank you to Joanna for being a Neighborhood subscriber, tuning into the show each week and for entering the drawing. 🙏 --- ### Festival Performance of the Week:  This week’s featured festival performance was a no-brainer and mentioned during this weeks episode. On March 29, 2024, The New Mastersounds delivered a captivating performance of "The Vandenburg Suite" at Denver's Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom. This historic venue, located in the Five Points neighborhood, has been a cornerstone of Denver's music scene since the 1920s, hosting legends like Duke Ellington and Ray Charles. The band's dynamic rendition of the piece showcased their signature blend of funk and jazz, resonating with the audience in this iconic setting. This performance was part of their 25th-anniversary tour last year, a significant milestone celebrated with the release of their live album, 'Live at Cervantes Volume I.'  Hat tip to  The New Mastersounds, “The Vandenburg Suite”, Live at Cervantes in Denver, CO, 3/29/24 Video Credit: [@tomyaley7877](https://www.youtube.com/@tomyaley7877)   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![What YOU Can Expect at the Sunshine Get Down Music Festival in 2025](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Sunshine%20Get%20Down.png)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/sunshine-get-down-music-festival-2025) #### [What YOU Can Expect at the Sunshine Get Down Music Festival in 2025](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/sunshine-get-down-music-festival-2025) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Feb 7, 2025 11:30:38 AM Heyo Neighbors—there is SO MUCH going on down in Brooksville, Florida for enthusiastic festival neighbors like us this Spring! In Episode 28 of the... [music festival venues](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-venues) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [winter festivals](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/winter-festivals) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/sunshine-get-down-music-festival-2025) [![2025 Music Festival Season: Exclusive Interviews, Performances, and the Next Shows](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/2025.09.04-Watermelon-18.jpg)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/2025-music-festival-season) #### [2025 Music Festival Season: Exclusive Interviews, Performances, and the Next Shows](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/2025-music-festival-season) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Sep 19, 2025 11:28:29 AM In episode 59 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I take you on a guided walk through everything that has happened so far in the 2025 festival season and... [music festival venues](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-venues) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/2025-music-festival-season) [![WinterWonderGrass Preview with Deanie Richardson from Sister Sadie](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-01-10%20at%2010.35.31%20AM.png)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/winterwondergrass-preview-deanie-richardson-sister-sadie) #### [WinterWonderGrass Preview with Deanie Richardson from Sister Sadie](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/winterwondergrass-preview-deanie-richardson-sister-sadie) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Jan 17, 2025 5:08:10 AM Heyo Neighbors—my guest this week and her band are heating up the bluegrass scene in a big way. We’re continuing with another installment in the... [music festival venues](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-venues) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [winter festivals](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/winter-festivals) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/winterwondergrass-preview-deanie-richardson-sister-sadie) ##### About Music Festivals Podcast About Music Festivals Podcast ![NeighborN8 No Background](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png?width=323&height=242&name=NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png) I'm your host [@neighborN8fests](https://www.instagram.com/neighborn8fests/) (follow me on Instagram) and I am stoked to be your neighbor in this little festival adventure we're on.  Join me every Friday as we dive into the music festival scene with onsite footage, interviews, performances and even festival camping hacks so that you can know before you go... Music Festivals Podcast is a weekly podcast with new episodes every Friday everywhere you get your podcasts. Find daily videos of live festival performances and more on the [YouTube Channel.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgQs3tJlctNKPDLJ0_Fgyg) Want to get in touch? [Email Neighbor Nate.](mailto:neighborn8@musicfestivalspodcast.com) ##### Featured Festival Highlights Featured Festival Highlights   - Privacy Policy - Become a Guest - Sponsor a Season © 2026 Music Festivals Podcast is a production of NRMedia Group, LLC | All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Neighbor N8", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-14T09:54:29.575Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-14T09:54:29.000Z", "headline" : "The New Mastersounds: Behind 26 Years of FUNK with Eddie Roberts", "image" : [ "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/EDDIE_ROBERTS_01-1.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/the-new-mastersounds-funk-eddie-roberts", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-2.jpg" } } } ```