David Wax Museum

David Wax Museum

David Wax Museum is a United States folk and roots rock group that blends traditional Mexican Son with American folk and indie rock in a style it calls “Mexo-Americana”. The group’s core members are David Wax and Suz Slezak, with Suz Slezak identified as a member in the verified facts. Over time, the band also includes or includes in its wider line-up Jordan Wax, Ben Kogan, Chris Dammann, Danilo Henriquez, Charles Rivera, Philip Mayer, Mike Roberts, Greg Glassman, Alec Spiegelman, and Jiro Kokubu in supporting roles.

Style and instrumentation

The band combines Latin rhythms, call-and-response vocals, and percussion that includes donkey jawbone rattling. Its sound draws on traditional Mexican folk music and American roots traditions, alongside indie rock elements.

Recognition and performances

David Wax Museum receives the 2010 Boston Music Awards’ Americana Artist of the Year award. Its performance at the 2010 Newport Folk Festival is singled out by NPR as one of the highlights of the weekend. The band is also described by Bob Boilen of NPR as “pure, irresistible joy” and by TIME.com for its “virtuosic musical skill and virtuous harmonies”.

Recordings and media coverage

The album Everything Is Saved, produced by Sam Kassirer, draws strong reviews and helps bring the band wider attention. The group also appears in The New Yorker, Paste Magazine, Daytrotter, NPR’s World Café, and receives notice from TIME magazine as one of the top ten acts at that year’s South by Southwest.