For anyone that has attended a Turn Turn Turn show, you’ll instinctively shake your head when I say the visuals of a show matter. The trio of Adam Levy, Savannah Smith, and Barb Brynstad all share a bond over their mutual love of the close harmonies from the 60’s and 70’s. But beyond that appreciation they each bring a cohesive sense of style and color palette to each of their shows. Distinct and defined, their clothing pays tribute to their musical influences, while engaging with an audience on a visual level, helping to fill out that sonic impression.
Their 2020 debut release brought a slew of accolades to the group, with snagging a “Top 10 Albums of 2020” from the Star Tribune and a #4 spot on the annual City Pages ‘Picked to Click’ poll. Their debut album “Can’t Go Back” introduced fans to a throwback of Laurel Canyon-inspired sounds in a pop-infused style of Americana. The blend of nostalgia by pulling in the songwriting from the past, while distinctively modernizing it, is a delightful listening experience that keeps you turning back for more.
Although Turn Turn Turn is founded in blended harmonies, each band member is stylistically independent in their own sense of fashion. Adam leans into a retro and Western vibe while being inspired by artists like Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix and even Stevie Nicks. You can also see style influences from his other inspirations like Osceola, Mark Twain, Buck Owens, and Geronimo in the Western and Native traditions in his clothing.
Being a visual designer and working in marketing for most of her life, Barb has always loved how color, texture, style, and cut can influence our moods and tell the world a little bit more about who we are. She credits her eclectically-styled sister Steph in teaching her some basic fashion rules. She would watch her throw contrasting items together to make an outfit work, living with a philosophy that if it feels like you’re breaking some fashion rules, lean in.
“I'm pretty sure I own more tie-dyed articles of clothing and bell-bottom pants than anyone else in the band,” Barb confesses.
Savannah goes back to her mother making most of her clothing growing up. This led her to appreciate the time and skill that goes into a garment more. She’s drawn to vintage prairie dresses, particularity the retired clothing label Gunne Sax, specifically on how intentional every inch is designed. The detail from picking complimenting florals and calicos, while nodding to Victorian clothing elements makes these dresses works of art. Savannah is continuously inspired by the country artists from the 50’s-70’s. The flouncy square-dancing dresses of Kitty Wells, Dolly in her bandana prints, and Loretta Lynn in her floor length gowns are iconic instances for her.
“We have developed complimentary aesthetics, asking bandmate opinions often before purchasing things. We text each other about a particular show, and usually one of us will just shout out a color scheme—we agree or change based on what folks have in our closets.”
— Adam Levy of Turn Turn Turn
Finding key pieces of clothing comes from a lot of different places for Turn Turn Turn. Adam finds pieces online through Etsy and cool smaller western and retro clothing websites. Barb inherited a lot of clothes from her younger sister, Steph, after she passed away in 2020. She had a degree in fashion design and lived in LA for a decade before returning to Minneapolis. She loved beautiful, well-made clothes and had a closet filled with a huge variety of boutique and designer brands. When venturing out in the Twin Cities, Barb loves Queenie and Pearl, Poppy, June Upscale Retail, and Corazon. She also loves supporting local designer and fellow musician Laura Hlavac, as Barb wears her dresses all the time when she performs.
There’s also the band’s connection to Seven Suns Vintage in Eau Claire. Savannah owns the store and is always that helpful resource to her band mates. Savannah has collected vintage clothing for many years. Her mother would take them second hand shopping, from thrift sales to antique store hopping on the weekends. When she toured in her early 20’s, she would scour each city for thrift stores and unique clothes, collecting long vintage dresses. Eventually she started pulling them out and trying them out on stage. “To say it was empowering is an understatement,” Savannah shares. Her passion in vintage hunting comes easy. After accruing a large amount of inventory and no time to post them online to sell, it made sense to open a store.
Savannah adores the Daily Dose Retro, 316 Vintage, The Cat and The Cobra, Everyday People, Go Vintage, and Tandem Vintage here in the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities are rich with great options.
“To be able to present clothing that has history and longevity in an appealing way has been an absolute treat.”
-Savannah Smith
Each of their outfits combines a mix of new, vintage, and personal pieces. Adam is wearing Banana Republic Corduroys with a Stretson Paisley western snap shirt. His green Lucchese cowboy boots and 1970’s Navajo squash blossom necklace exemplifies that blend of western and native inspirations. While his suede jacket is a thrift store find that ties everything together.
Adam’s hat and scorpion ring were made by two small Chiricahua Apache businesses: Whirling Log and Arrow & Apache Hat Company, respectfully.
Barb has on a green knee length Anthropologie dress and knee high lace up boots come from Free People. Rounding out her accessories are a necklace and a vintage Stetson hall from Seven Suns Vintage.
The beads are a sentimental accessory as they belonged to her sister Steph. They shared many spiritual beliefs that incorporated Eastern religion, so wearing them reminds her.
Savannah is showcasing one of those vintage 70’s green Gunne Sax dresses, with the trademark pockets and lined lace around the bottom.
“I have always felt most powerful in dresses, which is why I often choose to wear them for shows. I feel very fortunate to have band mates that love clothes like I do and have fun dressing up.”
The merging behind these diverse styles and their music is a beautiful partnership. Songs like “Papercut” pull in a Beatles vibe mixed with the shimmery Sheryl Crop pop sensibilities. You can imagine the dresses blowing in the wind. “Can’t Go Back” dances on retro vibes while softer tracks like “Fourteen” and “Missed You More Than Air” feels like sitting in your comfort clothes.
Turn Turn Turn effortlessly dabbles in a variety of moods with their music. It shows the impact of having three individual personalities but also epitomizes the ability to unify for a cohesive band sound. The band also brings back important songs from the past, covering them in their own voices and rejuvenating them. Reminders of timeless music and celebrating the legacies they’ve left with us. Turn Turn Turn reclaims that spirit.
That importance of recycling isn’t lost on Turn Turn Turn. Savannah sees firsthand how disposable a lot of modern clothing is. Thrift stores are filled to the brim and landfills are bursting with thrown away clothing. Upcycling helps us fight environmental degradation.
We also have online platforms like Depop, Poshmark, and Etsy where you can find virtually any secondhand item, while supporting a small business.
It isn’t always easy as it takes a commitment and patience to hunt for what you like, but it can certainly be more rewarding.
“I see hints of us collectively moving towards a "fix it" vs "throw it away" mindset, it's a beautiful thing,” Savannah shares.
Check out the links below for ways to follow Turn Turn Turn and all the things we mentioned above.
Turn Turn Turn Website- Instagram - Seven Suns Vintage - Laura Hlavac - Whirling Log & Arrow - Apache Hat Company
