Michael Trotter and Tanya Blount-Trotter are the Americana and rootsy soul-infused duo known as The War and Treaty. Not only do they create inspiring and powerful harmonies together as a taut musical unit, they are solid life partners as well. He was a U.S. Iraqi War veteran who struggled with PTSD and honed his vocal and keyboard skills dedicating songs to his fellow fallen military comrades. She was a singer and actor that worked with Lauryn Hill and Bad Boy Entertainment.
Since forming in 2014, they’ve achieved tremendous acclaim culminating in a pivotal 2017 performance at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville. “We were introduced to Buddy Miller by another legend who discovered us named Don Was. We were set to do one song with Buddy and his band, but at the last minute, he took ill,” says Trotter.
“He wanted to sign us right away but we didn’t feel we were ready.”
“This was very unique and scary because they wanted to sandwich Tanya and I on the bill between The Lumineers and Drive-By Truckers. Nobody knew who we were.” But over the past few years they built an impressive buzz. Emmylou Harris gave them an artistic boost by introducing them. Better gigs and opportunities followed.
Playing events like Bonnaroo and the Newport Folk Festival caught the attention of Rounder Records’ head John Strohm. “We became friends and had a lot of the same taste in music,” says Trotter. “He wanted to sign us right away but we didn’t feel we were ready. We signed with Thirty Tigers instead and released our first full album Healing Tide in 2018.” But Michael and Tanya kept in touch with Strohm and their inevitable partnership finally emerged. “It really was a no-brainer going with Rounder. A lot of our favorite artists are on the roster and John has always believed in us and our message within the music.”
The War and Treaty's message is one fueled with enlightenment and power. “We all go through things in life, whether on our own or together,” states the U.S. Army veteran. “But we have the opportunity to grow and move forward. And I think that’s what Tanya and I are interested in most. We want to change the narrative and move the human race forward.”
The War and Treaty’s Rounder Records debut is scheduled for release sometime in 2020.
Date Signed: Feb. 28, 2019
Label: Rounder Records
Type of Music: Soul/Americana
Management: Mark Cunningham - Red Light
Booking: Buster Phillips - WME
Legal: Jeff Colvin - Marcus & Colvin
Publicity: [email protected]
Web: thewarandtreaty.com
A&R: John Strohm - Rounder Records
