VIDEO COURTESY OF EVOKESTUDIO.IO and SPACE 39 ART BAR & MARTINI LOUNGE

THE MOOTS is an American musical duo that originates from The Florida Gulf Coast. The band was formed in early 2019 by multi-instrumentalist Matt Baxley and session drummer Darrell Nutt. 
 

No strangers to the local live music scene, Matt Baxley and Darrell Nutt have joined forces to form THE MOOTS. Their creative musical improv sets and distinctive fusion of funk, soul, & pop music have created a local buzz and garnered a musical cult following in the Southwest Florida Area. 
 

How did THE MOOTS get their name? Matt Baxley started posting synthesizer videos on YouTube early in the channels existence under the pseudonym MOOT BOOXLÉ. When deciding on a band name, Matt and Darrell borrowed from Matt’s YouTube aka while paying homage to Jimmy Fallon’s funky Tonight Show band The Roots.
 

One unique aspect of a MOOTS show is the instrumentation. There are so many different sounds coming from just two musicians. Matt plays Mini Moog and ARP Odyssey synthesizers, Rhodes and B3 keyboard sounds, voice vocoder, and many delay and modulation effects. He is also the soulful vocalist of the group with a style and range that parallels any pop singer today. Darrell doesn’t just play the drums, he triggers loops and samples that can ignite the sparks for a musical improv moment. 
 

When THE MOOTS perform, each show contains a “twist” on classic songs like “Higher Ground” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder. Songs by Luther Vandross, P-Funk, Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, and Gary Wright are also on their setlist, but what stands out for most fans are the musical improv moments. Whether they improvise with their own ideas or take audience suggestions, THE MOOTS create new compositions “on the spot” and the creative energy is electrifying!
 

Matt Baxley is the keyboardist and vocalist for many Southwest Florida groups and has produced music for local and national songwriters. He is originally from Tennessee.

Darrell Nutt is a drummer for several acts in South Florida as well as a music producer and video director. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Darrell settled in Southwest Florida in 1995 after many years of touring globally with Country and Rock artists.

THE MOOTS are currently working on their debut EP.