Today we’d like to introduce you to D Lux.
Hi D, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thrift Bakery was probably the only band in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1985 that did not have a guitarist. Our sound in our first five years, when we were doing live shows and had a record deal, combined rap, experimental rock, funk and some tuneful pop melodies. Our LP “Freshness Test” came out in 1988. A video for one of the songs, “The Well,” appeared on MTV. We brought on a guitarist in the late 1980s to fill out the sound and get people moving on the dance floor. We used stage names because we had 9-to-5 roles in the public eye.
We went into hibernation in 1992 to do full-time adulting. We began to record again in 2011 despite the fact that we lived thousands of miles apart. Digital file-sharing was now possible.
Our four long-players in the digital era have become increasingly melodic as we have become better musicians, songwriters and audio engineers.
Thrift Bakery has a small, growing, devoted global audience. Our sound is described as seamless, kinetic, quirky, funky and fun.
We have no corporate money behind us and do not “pay to get played.”
The current lineup is: Dlux – lead vocals, samples, beats; Bob Hair – keyboards, machines, production; Terrie Cloth – bass, harmonica, acoustic guitar; Tater Totts – guitars. Everybody sings.
A side project called Loco Domingo released an 11-track dance record called “Immigrant Beats” in 2025.
Thrift Bakery is now working on its seventh album.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We have the same issues that other bands have: Money, personalities and not being the “thing” that the entertainment industry wants at a given time.
A typical Thrift Bakery review in the early days was begrudging and went like this: “I’m a music critic who does not get rap, so I certainly don’t understand white rap. Somehow Thrift Bakery snuck through to release a record and do a show here. It’s not really my thing, but check it out if you want.”
Eventually, we were able to put all those things aside and make music for the beauty of the art.
Tater Totts was in another band with the members of T.B. We practically made him wait 25 years to join. That’s a shame because he plays like he has 14 fingers.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in writing and singing/rapping songs to make you laugh or cry. I tell a story with melody that touches you.
We don’t follow trends, we set them.
What makes me different is that I do not resent music streaming.
It allows us to touch people all over the world hundreds of thousands of times. They can play that song they like, whenever they like.
I am proud of our growing body of work that has a long tail.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Don’t be overwhelmed. Improve some aspect that you can control. Don’t quit, but take a break. You can only spend your money once.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thriftbakery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriftbakery1985/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thriftbakery
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-lux-thriftbakery/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ThriftBakery
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thriftbakery2837
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thriftbakerychannel
- Other: https://locodomingo.fun/
