BIG UP 2011 ARTIST INFO
Check back for surprise to be announced additions. Lineup subject to change.
EOTO
As electronic influences continue to penetrate the live rock, jazz, and jam ethos, one band consistently rises to the top, bringing together fans from across the musical spectrum. EOTO crisscrosses the country blowing out basement dives, packed theaters, and stages under the stars. Check your festival schedules: this 100% improvised dubstep/breakbeat/house/drum & bass/trip-hop duo is the premier late-night party in the country.
Throbbing bass and thudding beats are the signatures of this project from drummers Michael Travis and Jason Hann. Born out of their shared love of electronic dance music, EOTO’s M.O. is to take the free-wheeling party vibe of a DJ set to the next level by using organic instruments, innovative performance technology, and uncharted musical exploration. Live drums, guitars, and keys, and vocals are mixed, remixed, and sampled on the fly using cutting-edge programs. This is all done without a script, and without a net.
TIPPER
Tipper creates music for the finest sound systems; bass fueled glitch that demands to be played at high volumes to unleash it’s lethal potential. With influences ranging from drum and bass, to trip hop through downtempo electronica, Tipper has created his own eclectic brand of devastating dance-floor tracks that have been admired for being “streaks ahead” and “expertly crafted” productions, whilst being “frightening yet refreshing…if it doesn’t move you check for a pulse.” Not surprisingly this unique and effective sound is in high demand.
In addition to releasing his new downtempo album “Broken Soul Jamboree” during the Spring/Summer, 2010 sees Tipper return to touring and performing with increasing frequency. Having recently completed the musical score for a Canadian film documentary, and with another surround sound project in the pipeline (fitted somehow around a hectic series of US tour dates) fans everywhere are pleased that Tipper is back to his busy best.
BIG GIGANTIC
One thing Dominic Lalli (Motet saxophonist/producer) is not afraid of is trying new things. Big Gigantic is Lalli’s latest project that showcases an array of gripping compositions combining elements of a DJ and a live band setup. Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken, mix thoughtful melodic ideas, with pulsating dance tunes, sure to energize the dance floor. Big Gigantic flavors the electronic music scene with powerful sax solos and soulful synth lines on top of super hot beats.
RAQ
Self-described as high performance rock and roll, RAQ has been going strong since its 2001 inception. With their unique sound, featuring complex song structure coupled with quirky-yet-accessible lyrics and a healthy dose of full-band improvisation, RAQ delivers a strong presence to their allegiant fans nationwide.
Hailing from Burlington, Vermont, the band began with the name “Shadraq”, but shortened the name to RAQ before cutting their debut album Shed Tech. The bands unique sound developed while playing to ardent fans in local Burlington clubs.
Over the past several years, RAQ has taken the stage at festivals such as Bonnaroo, High Sierra Music Festival, Langerado, Berkshire Mountain Music Festival, Summer Camp, Gathering of the Vibes, Adirondack Music Festival, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Camp Bisco and aboard the floating festival, Jam Cruise.
One of the reasons behind RAQ’s highly successful tour past is due to their compositions being grounded in solid song structures, but still being malleable enough to go in infinite directions in the live setting. This keeps the quartet’s devout following and first time listeners yearning for more as the audience is taken along on the collective journey. Their extensive repertoire of original compositions and eclectic selection of covers give the band the freedom to create a unique set list for every show.
DIGITAL TAPE MACHINE (FEATURING JOEL CUMMINS & KRIS MYERS OF UMPHREY’S MCGEE)
The Digital Tape Machine started as a studio project just over two years ago, consisting of Chicago musicians Joel Cummins and Kris Myers of Umphrey’s McGee, Dan Rucinski of Land of Atlantis, Marcus Rezak of The Hue, Joe Hettinga and Kevin Barry of Strange Arrangement, and DJ My Boy Elroy. DTM has found uber success in transferring from the studio into a live band, proven earlier this summer at their face-melting live debut at the Wuhnurth music festival.
OTT
Ott was doomed to be a teenager in the cultural wasteland that was the mid-1980′s provincial England. After a brief period wandering aimlessly through the hairsprayed deserts of New Romanticism and poodle-rock he found refuge in the warm, inviting sounds of Scientist, King Tubby, LKJ, and Prince Far-I and the effortless grace of European experimentalists Neu! and Kraftwerk. Here he stayed until he felt it was safe to pop his head up again.
The end of the 1980′s brought with it a cultural and musical revolution and Ott headed to London to immerse himself in the new energy. Initially unimpressed by the frantic, unmusical clatterings of acid house and “rave” he discovered a new wave of artists who apparently shared his love of organic dub and pristine electronics. Artists such as The Orb, Dub Syndicate, FSOL and African Head Charge. These were people who were unafraid to combine bass-heavy rhythm, abstract soundscape and timeless melody into a huge, ever-shifting sonic universe which reflected perfectly the spirit of hope and positivity which prevailed.
It was at this point that Ott found his first work as an engineer in several studios around North London. Working obsessively, 18 hours a day, seven days a week for the next ten years, Ott began developing the skills which would see him go on to work with many of those who created the sounds which inspired him in the first place – Brian Eno, The Orb, Youth, African Head Charge, Steve Hillage, and On-U-Sound.
MARCO BENEVENTO
Brooklyn-based pianist and sound sculptor Marco Benevento has completed his third full-length studio album in as many years, Between the Needles and Nightfall, available now through his label The Royal Potato Family. 2009 was a breakout year for Marco Benevento, in February, he released Me Not Me, an album featuring interpretations of songs by My Morning Jacket, Leonard Cohen and Deerhoof among others. Touring it across the U.S., Benevento and his trio made a number of high profile performances, including San Francisco Jazz Festival, Earshot Festival and Carnegie Hall. At the end of ’09, Benevento released his first ever DVD, Live In NYC: The Sullivan Hall Residency, a two hour-plus documentary with performances and interviews from his historical five week 2008 engagement at the downtown New York City venue Sullivan Hall, featuring special guests like Brad Barr, Kaki King, Billy Martin, Stanton Moore and Steven Bernstein. As if all this wasn’t enough, he toured with post jazz cognoscenti Garage A Trois, became a full time member of indie roots pop experimentalists Surprise Me Mr. Davis and welcomed his second daughter into the world. With Between the Needles and Nightfall, Marco Benevento continues to define himself as one of the most prolific new voices of his era, blurring genres from song to song, and more often from measure to measure, with his own take on simple pop pleasures, dance party rave-ups and art jazz experimentation. He speaks in modern sonic tongues, all cut-and-pasted, tweaked-out and glitchy, but full of wide-eyed wonder that rejoices in the limitless horizons of sound and melody.
ABAKUS
London-based Abakus is Russell Davies the son of Dave Davies the founder of the Kinks. Who also releases electro/disco-house under the moniker Cinnamon Chasers.
His initial album “That Much Closer To The Sun”, released in 2004 on Liquid Sound Design, was an album that appealed to both fans of psychedelic and balearic chillout.
His following release, four years later, on Modus Records “We Share The Same Dreams” introduced more of an electro feel and was followed by a free digital mix “The Jaguar Sessions”.
2010 saw another release on Modus Records, entitled Prisms.
HIGHER ORGANIX
HiGHER ORGANiX is a power trio hailing from The Shire (Berkshire County, MA). Formed in late 2005, the three boys were a product of the musical community that thrives in the Berkshires, but is hard pressed to find a local outlet. Due to the lack of legitimate venues in their area, Higher Organix began to throw their own shows, never over-looking key elements of production. These shows included Shirefest 2007, OTT in the Shire (St. Patties ’09), Lost Night in Shangri-La, Let it Roll, and The Big Up festival.
Higher Organix does not plan their sets. They completely improvise, sometimes retouching on old themes, or quoting some of their favorite songs in a Dj esque manner. There are no songs, there is no set-list. It will be different every time. The interaction with the crowd and setting, and how that steers the sound of the set is the key ingredient of a Higher Organix show that maintains the mystique that surrounds the band. They play an undefinable style that mixes dance rhythms, and electronic experimentation with a psychedelic jam-rock sensibility, and a willingness to take it to new places every time.
Higher Organix’ repertoire includes anything from house, dub, funk, rock, breaks, DnB, ambient, and everywhere in between, No matter what, you have to see it to believe it. Having already shared the stage with OTT, Big Gigantic, Sub Swara, Brothers Past, Emancipator, ESKMO, Bluetech, Pnuma Trio, Psylab and more…. They might be twisting your mind in the near future.
www.myspace.com/higherorganix www.soundcloud.com/higherorganix
PAPADOSIO
Formed in Athens, OH, Papadosio has been creating a home at the forefront of live electronica for 5 years. With a sound defined by unexpected combinations, this 5-piece has wowed crowds at clubs, theaters, and festivals across the country. The bands songwriting showcases improvisational interludes and refreshing vocal harmonies with an amplified message of transcendence, unity, and universal understanding. Now hailing from Asheville, NC, Papadosio’s mission is clear: to combine eclectic musical traditions with modern electronica to stir the heart and fuel the mind.
ORCHARD LOUNGE
Downtempo, space disco, house, tech, b-boy era electro, hip hop, soul, and funk, “ if you can move, Orchard Lounge will back you up.” Formed in Chicago in 2000, OL is the collective of Ben Silver, Spencer Lokken and Bethany Lokken. This versatile trio has enlightened dance floors nationwide with their eclectic mixes, from sunset chill-out to bass-dropping tech house, and an array of other futuristic sounds. Theirs is a democratic mission: to expose as many people as possible to the artists they admire and respect. What sets Orchard Lounge apart from other club DJs is, well, you won’t always find them in the club. In recent years they’ve built a reputation as a hard-touring festival act and set-break crowd favorite, frequently supporting The Disco Biscuits, Sound Tribe Sector 9, The New Deal and Future Rock. They’ve also played alongside heavyweights like Bonobo, Lindstrom, DJ T, Jamie Jones, Booka Shade, Metro Area, and Kevin Yost. As The Disco Biscuits’ de facto hype men (and woman), they’ve had the rare pleasure of performing for thousands at world famous venues like Red Rocks and the Hammerstein Ballroom, constantly keeping the crowd engaged with a unique mix of turntable and live-band improvisation.
Outside the booth, the members of Orchard Lounge continue making music: Spencer is a classically-trained violinist and regularly plays with a trio in Chicago; Ben has studied guitar for more than ten years, and continues to write and produce. Bethany quit the clarinet in college and has never looked back. Despite their affinity for live music, OL’s focus hasn’t shifted since the group’s inception almost a decade ago: to provide sophisticated and stylish DJ sets that are appropriate in a variety of settings, from the dancefloor to the couch.
THE POLISH AMBASSADOR (Ample Mammal, Night Fitness)
The Polish Ambassador is a beat machine from the future. Hailing simultaneously from the far reaches of other dimensional Universes and… Oakland, California, this dude drops his own unique blend of electro-funked, glitch-tweaked, wobble-freaked breakbeats that will have you dropping that bottom like it was 92.
A nationally touring artist, The Polish Ambassador’s builds all of his live sets from a monstrous stash of original drums, bass, synth, and vox lines. “No Genre Left Behind,” Sugalski jokes as he blends elements of funk, glitch, idm, hip hop, 80s music, jungle, and dub into a beat soup that will instigate healthy doses of booty shake and fist pump.
Claiming to be Poland’s ambassador to the Universe, Sugalski has released 4 studio albums, all independently. Diplomatic Immunity in 2007, The Phantasmal Farm in 2008, I Found Him. Now I Must Kill Him in 2009, and First Words in 2010. All 4 albums have obtained favorable press and have achieved regular rotation on college, independent, and internet radio.
O yea, synthesizers and a pure spirit are his primary weapons. Join his army and help Polish annihilate bad beats marring the earth with shame and disgrace.
GRAMATIK
Good music is felt, not heard. Apparently Gramatik understood that at the age of 3, when his mother would catch him glued to the radio in his older sister’s room. Not unlike other great European artists of the past, the Slovenian producer was heavily influenced by American music early on, taking in everything from Funk and Jazz to Soul and Blues.
Gramatik’s Beatz & Pieces Vol 1. mix-tape (out June 8 on Pretty Lights Music) is his first release on Pretty Lights Music and builds on the amazing momentum created from his last release No Shortcuts and the Street Bangerz mix-tape series. Gramatik explains, “The Beatz & Pieces series comes as a successor to the popular Street Bangerz series which was my first work as a producer. I never really considered these volumes to be albums. I always looked at them as hip-hop beats on steroids. They are still raw, sample based beats, but with evolved arrangements and wrapped in a fine layer of live instrumentation. And the reason I started adding live instruments is because I felt that classic hip-hop beats without vocals lose me after two minutes. I want to keep the listener through the whole track!”
With over 80,000 tracks sold on the influential electronic music site Beatport.com in the past 2 years, topping all kinds of genre charts, Gramatik has matured from a curious kid attracted by soundscapes, to a world-class producer. Gramatik’s music quickly gained steam after he first began posting it online in 2008 and earned him nominations for ‘’Best Chill Out Artist’’ and ‘’Best Chill Out Track’’ at the 2010 Beatport Music Awards and taking 2nd place in both categories. After posting a recent remix of Led Zepplin’s “Stariway to Heaven” he shot to number 1 on the HypeMachine chart without so much as even a post on his facebook.
Gramatik is now known in electronic and hip-hop circles around the globe, touring with the likes of Pretty Lights, The Glitch Mob, Mimosa, Two Fresh and many others. This summer we’ll see him performing at festivals across the US and alongside label head Pretty Lights at his annual (and sold-out!) Red Rocks show.
ZOOGMA
Zoogma combines the sonic diversity and precision of a DJ with the excitement and immediacy of a five piece rock group. Known for their energetic performances and retina pleasing light show, the band consistently dishes out heavy-weight beat-driven dance parties across the nation. Sets are kinetic, combining live improvisation with carefully crafted beats and melodic textures.
With the release of their debut album, Recreational Vehicles, along with a relentless tour schedule, the five members have already added their unique voice to the live electronic-rock scene. Evolving in Oxford, MS, Zoogma’s sound can be described as an eclectic fusion of Electronica, Rock, Jazz, World, and Hip-Hop. This blend of genres results in a musical experience that appeals to a range of audiences, with a sound that is refreshingly original yet steeped in the dance music tradition.
Sharing the stage with acts such as Perpetual Groove, Pnuma Trio, Big Gigantic, Eliot Lipp, Keller Williams, The New Mastersounds, and Ozric Tentacles, Zoogma is poised to captivate you.
THE BREAKFAST
The Breakfast is a hard-hitting jazz rock experimental quartet whose music ranges from progressive rock to sonic landscapes. Since the group’s inception 11 years ago the band has played over 1000 shows throughout the country, released 6 albums and is on the verge of releasing a 7th. The Breakfast’s sound and energy are founded in the psychedelic but their music features some incredibly well-crafted song structures and melodies, showing the members’ gifts as highly talented musicians. Indeed, original members Tim Palmieri (guitar) and Adrian Tromantano (drums) provide the distinguishing characteristics the band has thrived on from the beginning. The two are able to reach near-telepathic communication on stage, ripping through progressive shredding licks and jams without missing a beat. This is held together by the sonic glue of longtime, though newly re-added, keyboardist Jordan Giangreco, and supported from beneath by the jazz sensibilities of bassist Chris DeAngelis.
Rejuvenated by the recent re-addition of original member Jordan Giangreco on keys, these four virtuosos continue to turn heads with each show. Together they rage forward with renewed mission and commitment to solid performances for passionate and dedicated fans everywhere. The group celebrates the upcoming September 12th release of its highly anticipated second live album Live As Is, which chronicles The Breakfast’s epic performance at The Field in Bridgeport, CT on February 28th, 2009.
THE WERKS
Formed in 2007, The Werks are quickly emerging as a national jam band powerhouse. As a result of their eclectic individual influences, The Werks produce a dance party that can be appreciated by a majority of musical tastes. Fusing the psychedelic shredding guitar and screaming organ of jam and classic rock with funk slap bass, synthesizers, and modern dance beats, The Werks create their own style of music entitled “Psychedelic Dance Rock”. Their unique style of performing is affected and manipulated by the energy of the audience, guaranteeing that each show will be different and memorable.
The success is largely credited to the hard work of their street team as well as to the dedication of the band, their fans and a unique performance, which is affected and manipulated by the energy and soul of the audience, guaranteeing that each show will be different and memorable.
The Werks have released 3 albums entitled: “Dig It” (2007), “Synapse” (2009) and “The Werks Live at The Werk Out Music Festival” (2010). The band regularly tours the US and holds their annual music festival, entitled “The Werk Out Music and Arts Festival”, each September.
KUNG FU
A super group is born! Weather you’re a Jazzer, Jammer, Funkster or Rocker.. All the critics agree that Kung Fu delivers! KUNG FU is Tim Palmieri (The Breakfast – guitar) Todd Stoops (raq – keys) Dave Livolsi (Scofield/Jazz is Dead – bass) Rob Somerville (Deep Banana Blackout – sax) Adrian Tramantono (The Breakfast – drums) Forming out of a Monday night jam session in late 2009,this jazz/funk/fusion quintet have hit the ground running and show no signs of slowing down! Kung Fu is making “fusion music” cool again. The band is pure talent and have been able to ride the line between Headhunters era Herbie Hancock and Jaco Pastorius’ Weather Report while incorporating some of the progressive jazz/rock of the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Kung Fu is a 70% – 30% Instrumental/vocal and will absolutely keep the room moving! This band brings it and brings it hard. So much so that in the first 6 months Kung Fu earned themselves major sets at 2011 Mountain Jam Music Festival, Gathering of The Vibes, Camp Barefoot, The Big Up, Strange Creek and more. These guys have played with and/or recorded with The Allman Brothers, John Scofield, Bill Evans, Jazz is Dead, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Jen Harstwick, T. Lavitz, The Disco Biscuits, Stephen Perkins, Jeff Pevar, Max Creek, members of String cheese Incident and Galactic, Tea Leaf Green, Particle and many more! The buzz has been big on Kung Fu and the expectations are high! Expect to see Kung Fu on your favorite summer festivals and in clubs near you. L
THE INDOBOX
With formidable guitarists, spectacular songcraft, and a captivating stage presence, The Indobox has an unearthly ability to get people moving and singing along. To see this music live is to know why they call it Dance Rock. Hailing from Boston, MA with its roots in Northeast PA, The Indobox is growing to a national level, captivating listeners, and starting dance-parties everywhere they go, bringing something they call DanceRock… Without exception, every Indobox show inevitably turns into a wild dance party.
Guitarists Mike Carter and Joe Zarick honed their song-craft together for years before the band took shape in Boston in ’05. And in a short period of time, The Indobox has established their presence almost nation-wide through about 400 gigs in 18 states from Maine to Colorado, extensive promotion and a heavy online presence. The Indobox has also performed at 3 of the last 4 Camp Bisco festivals, as well as at the Gathering Of The Vibes festival and as a featured act, performing 2 sets @ The Up North Music & Arts Festival, all in the midst of a newly national touring circuit and supporting groups like The New Deal, Brothers Past and The Egg (UK).
Still being a largely grassroots organization, The Indobox has released 4 full length CDs entirely independently, the most recent being “Adventure Rock” (2009), and with plans to release another studio effort in 2010 as well as typically relentless touring in support of these releases.
DOPAPOD
Boston has long been renowned for its fertile music scene that has sprouted world-class musicians within its musically diverse landscape. One of the most promising seeds to germinate out of the area is Dopapod. Bringing together players from each time zone in the US, the quartet has been thumping up from basement parties all over the Northeast, to bumping the sound systems of major venues all across the east coast. At face value, their sound can be described as a funktronic dance party, but if you dive in a little deeper it’s easy to uncover the unique genre-bending blend of funk, jazz, trance, soul, afro-beat, and prog rock.
In the course of only three years, Dopapod has already put the bug in music fan’s ears from the top of Vermont down to the tip of the Florida Keys. Covering all that ground has seen the young, but very seasoned group return to areas all over the east coast and landed them spots at numerous festivals including Camp Bisco, Mountain Jam, StrangeCreek, The Getdown, and The Big Up. Their electric live showcase has been conjuring up a fast growing, loyal fan base, and seen them share bills with artists like Lotus, Sam Kininger (Soulive, Lettuce), Brothers Past, Biodiesel, and Dave Grippo (Trey Anastasio).
Their debut album, Radar, explores the vast spectrum of Dopapod’s sound and features guest appearances by Timo Shanko (G-Love and Special Sauce), Dana Colley (Morphine), and Mr. Rourke (Club D’elf). Performer Magazine has dubbed their first offering as “setting the bar respectfully high”. As Dopapod rounds out the year with a Fall east coast tour, 2011 is shaping up to be very promising and productive. The band plans to hit the studio to record and release their sophomore effort, and more tours are in the works and sure to keep things exciting.
JIMKATA
Jimkata is a four piece electro-rock band based out of Ithaca, New York. Known for combining raw guitar power with industrial blasts of synthesizers and drum machines, Jimkata is an example of the modern lengths that a quartet can reach without leaving their rock roots. Described as “one of the best up and coming bands” by jambase.com members Evan Friedell (guitar/vocals), Aaron Gorsch (guitar/synth), Dave Rossi (bass) and Packy Lunn (drums) have forged a truly unique and appealing sound through high quality, in depth studio albums and their notoriously explosive live rock shows.
Smoothly transcending the gap between studio songwriters and touring musicians, Jimkata is quickly growing a loyal fan base across the country. Sponsored by Brewery Ommegang, Jimkata thrives in taking studio written electro rock hits and creating a unique and unpredictable set list every night they are on the road. Highlights from past summer festival seasons include Camp Bisco, Fingerlakes Grassroots Festival, Up North Festival, Starscape Festival, Great Blue Heron Festival and the Watkins Glen International Raceway. They have also been honored to share the stage with many other acts including Snoop Dogg, Umphrey’s McGee, Bob Weir and RatDog, The Disco Biscuits and The Wailers among many others.
TWIDDLE
Twiddle has started a frenzy on both coasts with complexities that conjure up Coltrane, Ranglin, and Zappa, yet still embracing the roots of Jam traditions. Finally a group of virtuoso musicians who not only understand climactic build and release, but deliver their intricate compositions night after night to jazz purists and screaming fans, all at the same time. You’ve got a true cross-over band when parents and their college-age children all go to the same show. Twiddle is a sound that defiantly weaves and dodges through genres. It’s three-dimensional music. You can see it from all sides, and even serve it to your guests. It’s Twiddle. Tasty.
Twiddle:
Ryan Dempsey, ivories, vocals
Brook Jordan, skins, vocals
Zdenek Gubb, low end, vocals
Mihali Savoulidis, axe, vocals
STRANGE ARRANGEMENT
Strange Arrangement announces the release of “Polygraph” January 18th, 2011. This notification comes on the heels of extensive touring throughout the MidWest in support of their debut album “Side x Side” which was released in late 2008. Mixed and recorded by Manny Sanchez (Umphrey’s McGee, Smashing Pumpkins, North Mississipi All Stars) at Chicago’s IV Labs Studios, “Polygraph” marks the second studio effort for Strange Arrangement in three years.
Making their home in Chicago, Strange Arrangement consists of Joe Hettinga (keys/vocals), Jim Conry (guitar/vocals), Steve Sinde (drums/vocals), and Kevin Barry (bass guitar/vocals). Their sophomore recording “Polygraph” juggles several different musical genres, drawing on influences from artists like Phish, Umphrey’s McGee, Herbie Hancock, and Moe. Carefully weaving its songs through funk, jazz, calypso, rockabilly, and progressive and pyschedelic rock, “Polygraph” is sure to put Strange Arrangement at the top of the list of up and coming jambands in 2011.
JEFF BUJAK
Jeff Bujak is a Northampton, MA based keyboardist/producer/composer who has designed a new style of intelligent dance music (IDM) that dives deep into the waters of complex electronica and he’s carving a fresh path in the live-music scene one performance at a time. Though, if you ask a Jeff Bujak fan to describe his music, a blank face followed by a smile would prove to be a common trial answer, then usually words like ‘dirty’ and ‘epic’ start pouring out. His music falls into a large pool of electronica dance genres, lands on one and leaps to the next while he wails away on his keyboards to create something truly moving, smart and original.
Bujak began his history with the piano at age 7. He started studying music theory a couple years later and began understanding the math of music. Since then, he has written over 300-solo compositions ranging from standard classical styles to extravagant heavy metal fury. He looks for what’s been done before and finds a way to recreate the theory with dance music in a way that hasn’t been heard, yet strangely familiar at the same time. He handcrafts his own hard-driving beats and loops, then samples and performs his half improv/ half composed pieces live to create an experience clearly pushed into it’s own category.
Jeff Bujak tours live full-time with 4-studio albums, over 120-multitrack live-albums under his belt and enough keyboard/ gadget wizardry and sequencing know-how to hold the energy in a raging audience for over 4-hours straight. Whether it’s the two 4 ½ hour non-stop sets on Jam Cruise earlier this year or the countless set-break sets from last year for The New Deal, Lotus and Eoto, Bujak is perfoming memorable sets and quickly becoming one of the most talked about solo acts on the road.
ELECTRONICAnonymous
ELECTRONICAnonymous is the EDM brain-child of Jules Jenssen. 1/3 of underground dance-fusion power trio HiGHER ORGANiX, Jules has been playing music since he was 6 years old, first dabbling in piano, then embracing the drums as his musical voice. Heavily rooted in traditional band style rock/ funk music, (Floyd, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Phish, all his father’s bands, etc..) Jules found electronic music as a pre-teen and immediately was drawn to carefully sculpted, evolving beats, throbbing bass, and euphoric synthetic sound design. Although he didn’t start making electronic music for years, he continued to integrate the theory into his drumming and live band. In the summer of 2008, Jules dove head first into the world of EDM production and nocturnal sleep cycles, making everything from electro-house, to dubstep, to krunk – -& styles yet-unnamed. Having already headlined shows including Music Ecology @ Wonderbar Boston, played festivals such as Camp Bisco, Desiderata, and the Big Up as well as having shared the stage with OTT, Lotus, Conspirator, MiMOSA, Sub Swara, Bluetech, King Britt, Dub War NYC and Psylab, to name a few, the anonymous might not be unknown for long…
www.soundcloud.com/electronicanonymous
CONSIDER THE SOURCE
Three Musicians converging on an epic plateau of sound and reflex. Three conscious minds communicating on sub-conscious levels. New York City’s CONSIDER THE SOURCE is the fourth voice, produced when the trio’s three distinct personalities combine forces to share their inner music freely with each other.
Toting the loaded description Sci-Fi Middle Eastern Funk, their sound is a melting pot of Middle Eastern scales, psychedelic jams, and a hard rocking rhythm section. Featuring Gabriel Marin on Fret-Less Double Neck Guitar, John Ferrara on Bass, and Justin Ahiyon on Drums/Percussion, the three musicians cite their influences as including The Bad Plus, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson and Tool—but a major source of their musical power can be attributed to a trip the band took to India, where they studied the complex tala (rhythm) of North India, and the micro-tonal scale structure and melodic ornamentations of South India. Guitarist Gabriel Marin, recently highlighted in Guitar Player Magazine, says, “Our music combines influences from Turkish, Bulgarian, North and South Indian styles with jazz and fusion, and then we filter it through our own heavy rock and psychedelic sounds and approaches.”
Over the past two years this progressive trio has toured the United States 7 times over and toured through the Middle East and Europe performing in Israel and Turkey. Consider the Source has performed alongside such luminaries as Victor Wooten, Wayne Krantz, Kris Myers (of Umphrey’s McGee), Wyclef Jean (of The Fugee’s), U-Melt at Bowery Ballroom NYC, Klezmer Giant Andy Statman, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Garaj Mahal, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, GE Smith (Saturday Night Live Band), Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, The Heavy Pets, Schleigho, The Brew, Kung Fu and many others. They’ve appeared at numerous festivals including Burning Man, Mid Summer Meltdown, The Big Up, Dogwood Festival (NC), PowWow Festival (MD), NYC Fret-Less Guitar Fest, NYC’s Howl Festival, the NY Gypsy Festival and the East Village Arts Festival. Their music has been aired nationally on Fox 5′s Fearless Music TV show, on which they won the award for best unsigned independent act.
Consider the Source’s new album “That’s What’s Up” is a testament to the band members core beliefs & values about their art and expression. They continue forging new sounds and unique song structures, fusing foreign time signatures with exotic rhythms and refining a dialogue-based form of improvising where the rhythms are the words, the notes are the feelings and the dynamics convey the intensity. The trio has been taking this music around the world, driven by a fearless desire to be themselves and deliver their sound as honestly as they can in the pure rawness of the “moment”.
With the start of the new year, Consider the Source will continue to spread their message world wide. 2011 will have the band touring the United States and Europe including numerous festival appearances all summer. A new live DVD is in the works for March…. Stay tuned and we’ll see you out there…
www.considerthesourcemusic.com
TIMBRE COUP
-Timbre [tam-ber]: the characteristic quality of sound produced by a particular instrument or voice; tone color.
-Coup [koo]: a sudden successful, unexpected stroke, act or move; a hostile takeover.
See also: A sudden action of tone color; a musical overthrow; a signal that becomes sound that becomes sensation that becomes movement; a moment, hours after most self-respecting people have gone to sleep, when the song turns itself inside-out, the bass climbs up your leg, the guitar invades your synapses, and the drums won’t let go; the band that just took you hostage.
Some have called the sound “improg.” Few disagree, saying the sound converges into various realms, easily crossing over to electronica and trance. Many fans have already joined in on the band’s insurrection of sound and are pleased with the music’s progressional evolution.
Armed with a sizable catalog and considerable chops, the band has shared bills with the Disco Biscuits, LCD Soundsystem, RAQ, Pretty Lights, Pnuma Trio, Girl Talk and Method Man, opened for the New Deal, Project/Object (featuring Frank Zappa collaborators), U-Melt and Kung Fu, played afterparties for Phish and moe., entertained thousands at Camp Bisco, the Big Up Festival, Wormtown, and Strange Creek, and earned “On the Rise” status in Relix Magazine.
DR. JAH & THE LOVE PROPHETS
Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets deliver socially conscious, upbeat reggae and ska with a jam band flavor, and has built a loyal fan base by playing blistering shows throughout the Northeast U.S. over the past 15 years. The band builds on a foundation of solid island rhythms and fearsome fretwork, and then tops it off with powerful lyrics of love, peace and solidarity. Dr. Jah further extends reggae into new directions by adding elements from soca and psychedelia.
Dr. Jah has shared the stage with many of today’s greatest artists of reggae, ska and jamband rock, including the Wailers, Yellowman, moe., Dub Is a Weapon, John Brown’s Body, the Toasters, the Skatalites, Moon Boot Lover, Guster, Schleigho, No Outlet and many more.
SEGWAY
This is SEGWAY, the 3-piece instrumental electronica group from Baltimore that’s on everyone’s minds lately! Performing a 100% live dance party with no set ever sounding the same, SEGWAY has proven time and time again that music is meant for dancing. Having shared the stage with acts like the Disco Biscuits, Sound Tribe Sector Nine, Lotus, EOTO, Future Rock, 2020 Soundsystem, and many, many others.
FUNKTION
Funktion, the 8-man band based in Kalamazoo, MI, delivers their dare-you-not-to-dance blend of funk and soul with a hip-hop beat that isn’t afraid to straddle genres – including rock and jazz. This lends to a gritty and some times flat-out rambunctious flavor in their live shows. Whether they’re entertaining in a small basement bar or a Chicago club, the rhythm section lays down a skillful, yet simple groove, while up from the center comes a shockwave of energy from the driving percussion and soulful vocals. Don’t worry, the horn line isn’t just for show. They provide slinky, yet powerful grooves, subtle vocal harmonizing and when the mood strikes, some dance moves that beg the audience to join them. Funktion’s high-energy performances are as intoxicating as whatever’s on tap. Night after night their live shows bring the kind of soul-stirring experience usually reserved for Sunday mornings.
D.V.S*
D.V.S* is a Brooklyn based guitarist / producer/ dj. His combines deep crackly beats with vintage vocal melodies and forward thinking guitar lines. In an age of electronic music where the guitar is merely a disposable part in the mix, or a product of only live bands, D.V.S* paints the future with the instrument at the center of his productions and live shows. As a vibrant up and comer, he has been hand picked to support many hot acts on the live electronic scene, including Ana Sia, EOTO, Beats Antique, Fort Know Five, Big Gigantic, Boombox, Savoy, and the side projects of STS9, Lotus, and Disco Biscuits. He also performed as a sideman, with many notable acts including NYC based DJ Logic and the internationally renown band Devotchka. D.V.S* is a very prolific beatsmith, even by today’s fast paced electronica standards. Here’s a few releases.. ~How it Ends Remix ep (August 2010) ~Foxey Lady remix (May 2010) ~The Newell and Doran Mix (March 2010) ~Beyond the Looking Glass EP (Jan 2010) ~Before I Sing (Oct 2009) In early 2009 he won the JFJO remix contest for their tune “Tetherball,” which was released on 1320 records… PRESS.. ..• “D.V.S* combines beautiful melodies, super fat beats, and jazz guitar power. Very positive sounds from a unique, new voice in modern music…highly recommended.” Brian Haas, Pianist – JFJO.. • “Amon Tobin and Nina Simone would be proud to embrace his style as their own.” -Lost in Sound (NYC/ Boston).. • “Emotional, inspiring, and danceable music.” -Colorado Music Buzz (Denver).. • “This dude knows how to wail on that guitar.” – Shifty Rhythms Blog (L.A.)…. DOWNLOAD D.V.S* @ DVSBEATZ.COM
PERILEYES
Perileyes is the combined auditory endeavors of Liam Collins and Sheridan Willard. Meeting just under two years ago, the two immediately began combining efforts, crafting an imaginative musical aesthetic that is both wide in it’s spectrum yet cohesive as a whole. At ages 20 and 21, this young team has been able to generate a considerable range of techniques and sounds. Their diverse sonic palette is largely attributed to their deep and eclectic interests, both musical and otherwise.Beginning as the brainchild of Sheridan Willard in 2001, perileyes has grown to be an anomaly of sorts. After Liam Collins’ joining in 2009, the duo has yielded “Groovy intense dubstep clashing with elements of industrial in a Shpongle-esque swirl of psychedelia.” With their unique take on dubstep, perileyes promises to be an act to follow in the year to come.
SUPERSILLYUS
Girls and boys, are come out to play, The moon doth shine as bright as day; Leave your supper, and leave your sleep, And come with your playfellows into the street. Come with a whoop, come with a call, Come with a good will or not at all. Up the ladder and down the wall, A halfpenny roll will serve us all. You find milk, and I’ll find flour, And we’ll have a pudding in half an hour
- Rob Uslan -Synths, laptop, var. percussion, vox and sound effects, Saxaboom.
- Influences-Shpongle, Autechre, Squarepusher, OTT, DJ Shadow, Prefuse 73, FourTet
- Sounds Like…Free your mind and your ass will follow
COSMIC DUST BUNNIES
Cosmic Dust Bunnies are a very unique electronic/jam style band that layer in influences from Reggae, Dub, Funk, Rock, Pop, and everything in between. Members include Matt Beckett on bass, Matt Dempsey on guitar, Chris Sellas on keys, and Eric Hyland on drums. All musicians of the New Haven area for many years, these 4 musicians met up in 2006 for the main purpose of improvisational jams. The band quickly took to songwriting and the band evolved into what it is today. Now with a self titled EP under their belt (recorded, produced and mixed by Sellas and Dempsey), CDB hits the stage with a fury and an ultimate goal of getting everybody up and moving. With a desire to never let a show drag, the songs often flow from one to another, sometimes encompassing entire sets. With a hefty mix of originals, improvisation and a few covers, Cosmic Dust Bunnies have been playing stronger than ever since their hiatus in 2009.
www.facebook.com/cosmicdustbunnies
BLACKLIGHT RUCKUS
Blacklight Ruckus is the musical fusion of Funk, Dance, and Rock where each distinct genre has been mixed in a blender, and served on the rocks. Founded on 80′s style and 60′s sensibilities, their musical stylings create a unique and unparalleled sound that has yet to be composed by any other musical artist.
SPEAKERBOT
Speakerbot is the robot-DJ alias of Aashish Bansal. Hailing from New Jersey, Aash has been playing music since he was 12 years old. While playing bass and djing with a few different bands over the years, Aash started producing innovative and creative electronic music. Thus, the Speakerbot was born.
Speakerbot has since been playing local parties, bars and electronic shows all over the NJ, NY and PA area.. His dirty mix of house, tech house, electro, disco, nu disco and minimal beats are always sure to get the party started weather it’s at a club, festival, or dank basement party.
Are you ready to get robotic?
download for free: http://www.speakerbotmusic.com
MOSES & THE ELECTRIC COMPANY
Moses & The Electric Company descended from the Funky Cosmos, establishing themselves in the Green Mountains of Burlington, Vermont. Their mission is to intelligently design a musical mixture binding the danceable grooves of funk with the climatic-intensity of post-rock. What results is a concoction of slappy-tappy bass, primal emotive guitar, time bending keyboard and energetic drumming. To translate: this music is perfect for love makin’, booty shakin’, bacon bakin’, and Socratic discussions. Moses and Co have spread their interstellar overdrive around the Northeast at venues including Higher Ground, Nectar’s, Club Metronome, Tammany Hall, Bishop’s Lounge, Brennan’s Pub and Radiobean as well as performing at The Big Up and Wormtown music festivals Press: “…two parts old-school funk and one part new wave post-rock. “[They're] the funkiest band around,” according to UVM men’s club lacrosse coach Coleman Adams. “I was just looking for a place to get a Long Trail and see some live entertainment.” … Their set progressed for a non-stop hour that concluded with a mixture of songs weaving in and out of psychedelic tunes… resembling Carlos Santana jamming out to funky old Gameboy and Sega Gamegear tracks.” -The Vermont Cynic
www.facebook.com/pages/Moses-the-Electric-Company
THE PULSE PROPHETS
The Pulse Prophets are an original socially conscious Groovemachine that really knows how to get the party jumpin’!
Their influences include: Bob Marley, Spearhead, and the Talking Heads to name a few.
The Pulse Prophets sound is an organic and celestial fusion of Funk, Reggae, Hip Hop, Latin, and Afro-beat, with a touch of Electronica.
Their mission: to elevate your mind and shake your behind!
JAMANTICS
With over 90 shows under their belt for 2010 JamAntics continue to feed on the good vibes of a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase. JamAntics exploded onto the New England music scene in early 2009 and has steadily expanded ever since, spreading their energetic funky rock jams to all corners of the greater New England area. The Concord, NH based group earned an Editor’s Choice for Best Jam Band from New Hampshire Magazine in 2010, they won Best Original Band in the Concord Insider’s “Cappies” Awards, and were runner-up in The Hippo Press’s annual Best of contest for all of southern NH. They have shared a stage with such bands as Little Feat, Grammy-nominated Yarn, RAQ, The Breakfast, Roots of Creation, Barefoot Truth and many others at some of the best venues in the area, including Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. They’ve played benefits for various causes, including headlining at Concord’s “Rock ‘N’ Race” to raise money for cancer research.
The five members bring varied musical backgrounds into the mix, creating a unique sound. Lead singer Masceo spent years as a singer/songwriter before moving behind the drums, vacating the position of rhythm guitarist for Lucas Gallo who occasionally steps forward to act as lead singer on his own songs. Eric Reingold holds down the bass line while helping Masceo in the percussion section with beat-boxing or a hand-drum. Award-winning Celtic fiddler Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki puts on his funk hat to trade solos and harmonize melodies with Freeland Hubbard, lefty lead-guitarist of ferocious funkiness who, like Lucas, occasionally serves as lead singer on his own compositions. A balance of structured songwriting and free improvisation by all members of the band insures that fans will be able to sing along to their favorite songs, but still be surprised when they are never played the same way twice. An ever-expanding repertoire of originals and creatively reinterpreted covers also serves to keep fans on their toes.
Multiple live recordings are available, and the debut studio album is on its way. Taking over the world, one gig at a time…
NORMAL INSTRUMENTS
NORMAL INSTRUMENTS is the brainchild of Mike Carter, guitarist and singer from the Boston-based band, The Indobox, featuring a cast of excellent musicians and friends from other bands around New England, including drummer Jules Jenssen of Berkshire-County’s Higher Organix (Western Mass), Matt Beckett (of CT’s Cosmic Dust Bunnies & Otherwise) on bass, and lastly but especially not least, pianist/keyboardist Jeff Bujak of Northampton, MA.
www.facebook.com/pages/Normal-Instruments
SISTINE CRIMINALS
Originally founded in Boston in 2005 by saxophonist Aaron Burnett and drummer Greg “TORCH” Sgrulloni, Sistine Criminals is a live experience like no other. Fuzing modern electronic dance genres such as drum n bass, house, dubstep, IDM, and hip-hop with a creative jazzy influence, the band successfully emulates the vibe of a live DJ while delivering an organic intensity only a live group of musicians can produce. Sistine Criminals currently consists of three core members: Greg ‘Torch’ Sgrulloni on drums, Aaron Burnett on synthesizers/saxophone, and recent addition, guitarist, Wylie Wynshaw. Sistine Criminals also features an on-call auxiliary line-up of instrumentalists, MC’s, and vocalists. Currently based in Brooklyn, the band is quickly becoming a mainstay in the underground party and live music scene in New York City.
TECHNICOLOR LENSES
Beginning with the musical collaboration of two solo artists in the summer of 2010, Jackson T. Whalan (The Aposoul), and Sam Eckstein launched Technicolor Lenses. The Big Up 2010 marks their first live performance as a duo and they have since created great momentum in New York City, where they are currently based. Through joining forces they have been consistently gigging, whether it be opening for hip hop artists such Black Sheep and Marley Marl, playing at clubs such as the Delancey and Webster Hall, or organizing their own events in Brooklyn. Technicolor Lenses combines original hip-hop, electronic/dub-step, psychedelic rock, jam, funk, as well as spoken word that provides conscious social commentary on the current state of our existence. The live performance has the high energy of a hip hop or electronic set with a unique instrumental element.
www.technicolorlenses.bandcamp.com
OTIS GROVE
There’s a new sound taking over the town known as Boston. If you’re by the banks of the Charles River as the moon glows over the muddy waters you very well may hear some thick, groovy beats banging out a trail for raw guitar licks and a soul-drenched Hammond organ. Yes indeed, ladies and gentleman who are down with the funk, it’s time to get rocked by your new favorite band: Otis Grove.
Otis Grove began as a collective experiment in crossing the traditional organ jazz sound with funk, hip-hop, and rock tones. It was the beginning of a sonic realization based in groove, free in improvisation, yet rooted in songwriting and melodic structure. In early 2004, on the heels of their self-titled debut album, the band began spreading their sound to clubs around the New England area. The music, which has since evolved into a unique blend of aggressive rock n’ roll and high-intensity organ funk (some fans have started calling it ‘The Runk’), pays tribute to the masters while consistently pushing itself in new directions. It’s as if jazz organ legend Jimmy Smith had been the fifth member of Led Zeppelin, or if the Meters had joined forces with Black Sabbath. Performer Magazine writer Sam Merrick described it best as “a monstrous funk groove that probably would have sent Godzilla running had he been in the neighborhood.”
Six years and over 500 shows later, Otis Grove has shared the stage with musicians and bands John Medeski, Billy Martin, Charlie Hunter, DJ Logic, Eric Krasno of Soulive, The New Mastersounds, the Jerry Garcia Band, The Brew, Spiritual Rez, Trombone Shorty, and many more. With a few national and European tours under their belt, Otis Grove is hitting it harder then ever, having played venues from the Paradise Rock club and House of Blues in Boston to Sullivan Hall and the famous Blue Note jazz club in New York City. The trio – known for their cranked up, dance inducing, dynamic live performances – signed with Ropeadope Digital records in early 2008 and are currently promoting their second release on the label, The Runk.
STEADY KNOCK
Riding on the storm from north of boston, steady knock (Andrew Thibodeau and Jonny Christensen) is a soundclash of the emerging genres glitch-hop and dubstep that sends listeners on an unforgettable melodic experience. Taking influences from hiphop, rap, dubstep, glitch and electro, steadyknck produces unique music that can be listened to whether youre raving it up late night or straight coolin with your friends. They have over 25 remixes and original tracks. Motivated by the love and growth of contemporary music, Andrew and Jonny devote almost all of their lives to bring you these incredible, filthy, and bass heavy songs. So, tune in to be updated on weekly song releases to keep that steady-knock-strut in your stride…
www.myspace.com/steadyknock
INSIGNIYA
Transcending the boundaries of genre, Insigniya has been explosively breaking into the world of music since the band’s start in January 2009. Taking influence from a vast range of musicians, Insigniya has been breaking down barriers in creating original music that cannot be broken down as simply jazz, rock, or funk.
Insigniya is centered on the concept of channeling a special energy through an audience, creating within a feeling of freedom and self-empowerment. This energy is found at full force at shows and getting it recorded is the ultimate goal when the band is in the studio. With a constantly growing loyal fan base, Insigniya is attracting more people than ever to shows, which have a unique atmosphere full of high energy and happiness.
In their sophomore year, the group is playing such venues as The Middle East Downstairs and Club Church in Boston, Tammany Hall in Worcester, Club Industry in Providence and getting reviews from My Secret Boston and Progression Magainze. Insigniya recently came out with an EP this past January which is now on ITunes, Amazon, and Last.FM. The band is also getting consistent play on local college radio stations including 91.3 WXPL & 91.7 WMWM in addition to online radio such as Jango.
The group also has many big plans for the near future including releasing a full length album, for which recording has already started, as well as multiple festival appearances this summer at StrangeCreek, Disc Jam, Camp Coldbrook, The Big Up, Liberate, Bella Terra, and Evolvefest.
LESPECIAL
Lespecial has been making waves throughout the Northeast with their tight live sets ridden with raucous improv and sheer variety. Rory D provides the raw, primal, unyielding rhythmic backbone, Luke B throws down the dirty 4-string raunch, thump, and sub-synth, and Jonny G glitches the samples and guitar as well as the deep synth womp.
Aggressive dance music to turn heads before the apocalypse, their influences combine Flying Lotus, Primus, Radiohead, and ritualistic afro-latin rhythmic traditions.
DAMN RIGHT!
Formed onstage in a Baltimore nightclub, Damn Right! has since cut it’s teeth grinding up and down the east coast. Electronic breaks, vocal samples and pop synths define their sound and drives every show to be a dance party. Now based in Philadelphia, PA and Denver, CO Damn Right! brings the Hyph, from NYC warehouses to HIGH-country Colorado clubs to the beautiful beaches of the Virgin Islands. Since their start in 2007, the band has hosted multiple residences at the legendary 8×10 in Baltimore and has had the pleasure of playing with acts such as 20/20 Soundsystem, Papadosio, The Egg, The New Deal, Lotus, Rusko, Brothers Past, Orchard Lounge, Pnuma Trio, Perpetual Groove & EOTO. 2010 has also brought the launch of their brand new clothing line, East Coast Swagger, which can be seen out at live shows. With their first official studio release on the horizon, be looking for some big things in 2011 as these three wolves howling at the moon are just getting started…
DAMN RIGHT! is: Blake Mobley – Keys, Tommy Bradel – Beats, Jonny Fissinger – Bass
SPLITPHASE
Split Phase (formerly Synewave) is a live electronic duo consisting of Carl ‘transient’ Martin on keys and live electronics with Mike McIntosh on acoustic/electric drums and samples. Split Phase has been hard at work creating and developing a unique, energetic, and refreshing sound all their own. Experimenting with influences ranging from house to drum and bass and jazz to funk, they tap an eclectic mix of styles to weave their sonic tapestries.
WOBBLESAUCE
Based out of Boston, Wobblesauce brings us a unique mix of live electronic funk, rock, and dance music! Made up of three diversely styled musicians from across the country, Wobblesauce combines sick-nasty synth lines and a rhythm section that never ceases making people get down on the dance floor. Rocking out such Boston venues as Harper’s Ferry, Brighton Music Hall, and The Middle East, they also currently hold a weekly residency at the Wonder Bar in Allston. Wobblesauce has gained recognition outside of Boston as well, melting minds at Tammany Hall (Worcester), Thumpty Manor (Cornell University), Crash Mansion (NYC), The M Room (Philly), The Delancy (NYC) and festivals such as Desiderata (NY), The Big Up (NY), Muddy River Jamfest (NJ), and CMJ (NYC)!! At these memorable events, Wobblesauce has shared the stage with other artists such as Emancipator, Vibesquad, Dopapod, Eskmo, Encanti, Beats Antique, Future Rock, Perpetual Groove, and Pnuma Trio! After a little over one year as a fully formed band, Wobblesauce has accomplished more than most bands strive to do in their first five! With this sort of momentum behind them, it is safe to say Wobblesauce can be called one of the most up and coming live electronic music act in New England!
AUTO ORBIT
Auto Orbit offers a unique variety of live-electronica in the combination of their influences spanning from jam band funk and hip-hop beats, to psy-trance and womping bass. Auto Orbit has shared the stage with national acts suck as Beats Antique, Future Rock, and Sub Swara, and is playing with the hottest New England bands all over New England. With many dates coming in the spring and summer, Auto Orbit is a sure-fire, do-not-miss band in 2011.
DIRTY PARIS
There is no easy way to describe Dirty Paris. Wherever your musical tastes take you; jazz, rock, fusion, jam, electronica – Dirty Paris will meet you there and push all of your buttons at once. You may sway, you may dance, you may lean back and let it wash over you, but you will not sit down. Dirty Paris puts you on your feet and keeps you there. This is definitely a live act. While all four musicians dedicate hours of practice time every night into building their own psychedelic city of sound, the audience is invited to be part of the creation as well. Vast spaces of improvisation are built into every show, making each performance a communal experience and a raging dance party.
MUN
MUN is a quartet from Brooklyn, NY that evolved out of the need to experiment and expand the conventional limitations of music. They explore many genres ranging from free jazz, to hardcore techno, to trance Middle-Eastern vibes. The improvisational element of the band as well as their complete lack of fear of being in the moment is what gives MUN their unique raw sound. Mentioned in the Old Testament as the miraculous cloud following the wandering tribe through the desert, MUN descends from the heavens and can become anything you desire!
Adam Wien • Synth Keyboards/ effects
Shlomo Weprin • Bass / Hookah
Bryan Hershkowitz • Drums
Derek Stromsta • Guitar
ROGUE CHIMP
Rogue Chimp strives to fuse the perfect balance of odd metered technique with techno dance grooves. Always keeping the audience happily dancing, while blowing the minds of the head bobbing critiques.
From Scranton, Pennsylvania…brothers, Jacob and Zach Cole combined with violinist Mark Woodyatt and bassist Mike Nasser produce jamtronica, techno, jazz explosions.
Influences range from a wide variety of styles and musicians such as: The New Deal, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, MMW, Herbie Hancock, The Bad Plus, Danny Elfman, Square Pusher, Primus, Parliment, Goblin, Aphex Twin, Adam Dietch, Frank Zappa, Zakir Hussain.
OUTLET
Jonathan Belfontaine, otherwise known as Outlet, was destined to make music from the very beginning. At a young age, Jon was given a guitar by a neighbor. Soon afterward, he stumbled upon a broken amp, took it apart and put it back together into working condition. Having an incredible ear for music, he was able to pick out the notes he heard, and play along with any song. Over the years, he’s played in different rock bands, including the popular local New Hampshire bands; Something and Mantra. His musical interest never stopped at just the guitar either, always picking up a bass or a set of drumsticks. While being influenced in different genres of rock, he was also becoming deeply integrated into the electronica scene, and of course with a healthy serving of hip hop and rap on the side. Soon he had a keyboard and was experimenting with making music of his own, with psychedelic melodies and hypnotic tones, empowered with heavy instrumentals. Writing and producing this music on his own, using only keyboards and drum machines, gave him the upper hand to aid him later on down the line. With the demise of his keyboard, and the emerging success of his band, Mantra, he put the electronic music to the side for a moment. However, due to conflict of interests and the inability to come together as a whole, Mantra disbanded. In the summer of 2008, his burning passion was reignited when he and his longtime girlfriend Elisabeth Marcoux went to Rothbury’s music festival in Michigan. Hearing the mindblowing artists perform with such love and high energy, and being immersed in the unified and uplifted crowd, sparked Jon’s need to make music again. They immediately went out and bought him a Juno G. The new keyboard, paired with his discovery of Ableton Live, allowed him to explode into creativity again, this time integrating the sounds of hip hop, soul, funk and trance. He has now been producing a dance oriented, groove inspired, glitchy style of music that is energetic, passionate and fun. Of course, infusing his positive vibrations and inspiring light, baked into every morsel of each tantalizing song. The concoction of organic sounds whipped and blended with original bass lines and drum patterns, along with his ability to manipulate the texture and flavor of each synthesized note will leave the listener delighted in savoring every delicious layer baked into every song.
THE EDD
The EDD is a jam/dance/electronic/funk/psychedelic/dub/dubstep/groove band based out of Burlington VT. Tearing up any live show they encounter with blistering sets that usually accumulate to 4 or 5 blissfully improvised songs, they will move effortlessly between genres while explore the complete unknown. If you like improv and you like to dance, you will like The EDD. If you see the name around check it out!
DJ CODIAC
The one like Codiac moved to Boston in 2003 and started spinning vinyl in ’08. Originally rooted in Electro and Tech House, Codiac shifted to Dubstep and is now embedded deep in the Boston underground bass scene. He DJ’d and blogged w/ the Boston/Berlin-based DrinkMusik camp, and currently helps run SUBduction Productions. He’s been featured at most of Boston’s underground music nights including Music Ecology, BASSIC, Dubwise, Left Turn and SUBduction’s own events at Enormous Room, and has also performed at other parties at Tufts, RISE, Savant Project, Milky Way, Privus, SPACE and many a’house party. Spinning some of the deepest and duttiest tunes spanning many subgenres of dubstep & beyond, Codiac can also be heard every Monday night 9pm-12am on his Sub.FM radio show ‘longside DJ Spliffolian.
THE CYBORG TRIO
The innovative Cyborg Trio are known for their dynamic, psychedelic improvisation and carefully crafted beats. Eric, Sammy and Tim released their fully improvised “jam” album in early 2009 and since then have been getting more exposure in both the local and national scenes. Their tight, trance-inducing tunes are reminiscent of a DJ; you’ll have to keep reminding yourself that these guys are playing live instruments. They bring the crowd through a journey, offering ups and very relieving downs as the beat drops and groove waves travel through the room, filling the venue with good vibes. Self-produced and live, the new CD gives you a taste of what their live show will entail. Buy their CD “Broken Beats, Vol. 1″ on iTunes or Amazon and listen to the depth and detail produced from live improvisational jams by The Cyborg Trio.
THE CHRONICLES
Stylistically combining jazz, hip hop and funk, The Chronicles inspirations range from modern jazz, hip-hop and R&B to classic jazz and 60′s/70′s funk. Garnering comparisons to such artists as The Roots, The RH Factor and Robert Glasper & The Experiment, The Chronicles have created a presence in the local upstate NY music scene with the goal of reaching the national and international audiences. At this time the Chronicles have a collection of originals and is in the process of recording their first album along with spreading their music around the Capital Region and beyond. The Chronicles are currently working with J-Live - http://www.j-livemusic.com
our website: http://www.sonicbids.com/chroniclesthe
SPACE JESUS
Space Jesus is Jasha Tull, a New Jersey based EDM producer , with deep roots in Hip-Hop, Sci-Fi, BASS, and psychedelia. Jasha has been producing music since 2004, and rocking crowds across the U.S. since 2008. First hitting the stage as an electro DJ and member of the Future Kids, Jasha continued to gain live experience by completing a two month full U.S. tour w/ GDP & Pistol as DJ KrE8. Jasha has since been involved in the NJ hip-hop scene as a contributing member of the Slangcorp record label/collective under various monikers as MC, producer, and DJ. In 2010, with help from his close friend and manager Gregg Sauber, Jasha founded the Planet Cognac Collective. Planet Cognac originated as a hip-hop/electro/dubstep/pop group featuring Jasha’s production and contributions from fellow NJ producers along with vocalists Lil Wavey, Xteen, Fancy Boy, and Ron Raygun. In 2011, Planet Cognac evolved into a collective consisting of Space Jesus and fellow NJ glitch and bass producers including former Future Kids members Bartlomein, Mikey Likes iT, and the psychedelic/dubstep power house Break Bomb. In early 2011, Jasha began the Space Jesus project. This project infuses the various musics and interests of Jasha’s past in a contemporary cross-genre format while emphasizing bass and psychedelia. Space Jesus is defined by Jasha’s unwillingness to be constricted by a single genre, while delivering a high energy bass-fueled collage guaranteed to keep the dance floor raging.
spacejesus.bandcamp.com/album/space-jesus
BLUE BOY PRODUCTIONS
BBP is a duo specializing in intense bass heavy dance music that spans the genres of EDM, blending live instruments with samples and original productions in a way that allows for real improvisation and unrehearsed moments of creativity and spontaneity.
Since their live debut in April 2009 BBP has played shows with Ott, Bluetech, Heyoka, Big Gigantic, Vibesquad, R/D, Savoy, Mary Anne Hobbs, Lorn, Mount Kimbie, Jazzsteppa, Eskmo, Telepath, Pnuma Trio, RAQ, Marco Benevento Trio, Eliot Lipp, The Great Mundane, Emancipator, Blockhead, Psylab, Biodiesel, Jeff Bujak, Zebbler Encanti Experience, Mux Mool, Superfiction, The Hippocampus, Joe Nice, and many more, as well as delivering memorable late night sets at underground afterparties for acts including STS9, The Disco Biscuits and Shpongle.
VIP
VIP is comprised of members Michael “Brother” Suarez and Matthew “Just the Sauce” Davidowicz. After meeting fatefully at a Girl talk show of all places, they knew that they wanted to change the underground music scene in Albany forever. Shortly after spawning the next generation production team Heady Productions, the duo started booking shows all around Albany and New Paltz. Having been booked with acts like Dubble Dutch, Udachi, Brenmar and Tommie Sunshine to name a few, VIP will surely take you through all your classic club motions. Inspired by house and adapting all genres and BPM’s of electronic music, the duo will keep a lively stage presence to keep your body werkin. Fitteds’ n all
THE BIG SWAY
The Big Sway is a sonic wrecking ball, smashing down the walls between the epic psychedelia of funk and the raw fury of punk rock. A constantly evolving trio based out of Massachusetts, The Big Sway has been wowing audiences of all ages since their conception in the Summer of 2007. With their long anticipated first release, The Cheese EP coming out May 27th of 2011, The Big Sway is gearing up for an exciting summer of shows, and taking very seriously the importance of smart, hard hitting Rock ‘n’ Roll today’s world. Check out The Big Sway playing a city near you this summer, and grab The Cheese EP from them in person, or hit up
MENTALLY ILL & LEILA
MENTALLY ILL (DNBC, Sub Con, Massive Audio) Albany, NY
WARNING: This dj may cause brain damage. A frontal lobotomy may also be necessary for those who have been exposed to his lunacy.
Just in from the funny farm, Mentally Ill has prepared to deliver you a mind-altering bass heavy set. A nine year patient of the tech 1200 program, Mentally Ill has gripped on to reality just long enough to figure out how to converse with turntables everywhere in order to manipulate the vinyl he spins with them. So strap on your helmets and tighten your straightjackets, the voices in his head are saying that it may be a bumpy ride…….or not…..but probably….maybe…..its hard to tell. Judge for yourself. Either way he’s definitely committed…..or at least he will be again soon. Watch out for the men in white!!!
In the past he has broken out of countless mental wards to play in places such as N.Y.C., Syracuse, Utica and a number of other upstate NY locations. He has crossed state borders to play in CT, MA, VT and even made it out of the states and all the way to Montreal to share his insanity before the voices caught up with him and told him to return. Being from Albany he has played a key role in keeping the e.d.m. scene alive in the 518, by holding several weeklies and monthlies in the area over the years. In the past he and a band of nutters that went by the name of Massive Audio, which he is a co-founder of, brought you the Eidelon parties (aka-Haunted Castle Party). Currently he has been focusing on organizing recreational events for like minded individuals at Red Square in Albany NY, under the supervision of DNBC of course. His style has broadened over the last year or so, causing him to delve into genres such as dubstep and more preferably drumstep, but he always keeps the bass heavy and the beats fresh. He has also been known to rock the decks with fellow DNBC member and the only lady that can handle his mental condition and mind state, better known as Leila. Put the two of them on stage together, and there’s no telling what level of madness will incur. Crowds are left questioning their own sanity. Artists he has shared the stage with include: Dieselboy, Freaky Flow, Mathematics, Breakage, Glue, Odi, I-Cue, Vandal, Danny The Wildchild, Jackal & Hyde, Terravita, Jayline, Psylab, Lotus, Jeff Bujak, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Digital Frontier, EOTO, The Pnuma Trio, Break Science, Big Gigantic, KRS-1 and many more, but his meds kicked in before he was able to fully recollect every performance. To be continued…
Leila – (DNBC (NY), Operation Breakbeat (CT), Bass Camp Recordings (NY), M.A.D.E. (MA))
In the few years she has been spinning records Drum & Bass/Dubstep DJ, Leila has become known as one of the few northeast djs to fulfill her promises of dropping the darkest, hardest, grimiest drum and bass the genre has to offer. Although it may not look like it, her rugged, hard and dark music selection helped earn her the name the “Queen of Mean” by forcing her listeners to dance while emphasizing the evil side of the music. She is a true school advocate for dubplate culture and has kept it purely vinyl since she began her endeavors as a DJ in 2006.
Leila had always thought being a dj was something that her future held for her. However, growing up in the middle of nowhere (Earlton, NY) Leila didn’t hear drum and bass until her college years – but she quickly fell in love & knew that’s what she wanted to spin. Once she bought her first set of technics & stacks of records she devoted at least 8 hrs a day to teaching herself the art.
Within a month Leila had her first show and within 6 months she became a member of DPIM recordings & released her first demo. “The Great Conjunction” was passed onto legendary turntablist/DJ Jen Mas (NYC) who selected Leila as the winner of the title of “best up & comer female dj” in 2007. She earned a slot at an all female dj event & gained more popularity fast. Within the next year she won several other contests including ones where the party-goers got to vote on the dj’s they wanted to hear spin. Her continued success, popularity, unique style and constantly growing skills led to her being asked to be a part of Spread the Word Productions & Konkrete Jungle New Haven. She has not only played KJ New Haven, but was the first female DJ to play Konkrete Jungle Buffalo and Albany. She has also played the legendary Konkrete Jungle NYC, been a member of Konkrete Jungle Albany, second in command at Bass Camp Recordings and is currently helping to run DNBC (Drum and Bass Coalition) with DJs Hokilla & Mentally Ill.
Since her start only 5 years ago – Leila has accomplished a lot. She’s shared the stage with headliners such as Evol Intent, Freaky Flow, Big Gigantic, KRS-1, Break Science, Jumping Jack Frost, SST, Biodiesel, Joe Nice, Jayline, The Horrorist, Infected Mushroom, the Crystal Method, Donald Glaude, Hive, Simon Bassline Smith & many more at countless radio shows, club events, & festivals all over the country.
She & Mentally Ill currently host an event at Red Square in Albany, NY every month & they have also helped to organize & play at dj stages at outdoor festivals throughout the summer. She has released several mixes (live and studio recorded) and is currently a member of DNBC (NY), Operation Breakbeat (CT), Bass Camp Recordings (NY), & M.A.D.E. (MA). Her grimey blend of the darker sides of drum and bass & dubstep as well as her positive energy behind the decks make sure her performances will not make you WANT to dance – she’ll make your body HAVE to dance…
Several of her live & studio recorded mixes can be downloaded from her website: www.djleila.com
IAN STEWART
Ian Stewart began producing and DJing in 2004, shortly after moving to Miami, FL where he attended the University of Miami’s Music Engineering and Technology program. Inspired by the flourishing South Florida music scene, he began polishing his skills and soon began collaborating with local DJ, producer, and owner of Dynamix Records, Matt Davis (aka DJ Alex Liberatore). Ian was soon a regular co-host on Davis’ “The Hacienda Sessions”, a weekly internet radio stream devoted to the best in house music. This partnership continued for several years until Ian moved back to the Northeast.
Upon relocating, Ian quickly connected with the Ruralliance crew (now Shireworks Productions), many members of which he knew from his youth. He was soon a staple of many of their shows as both a DJ, soundman, and occasional guest with Higher Organix, a “livetronica power trio”. Many remember Ian for his epic sets at the now legendary Ott in the Shire afterparty, Lost Night at Shangri La, the opening of Club 7 and most recently The Big Up festival. In addition he has played a variety of clubs and smaller festivals, as well as held a residency at The Manna Dew Café. Ian has performed alongside artists such as Pnuma Trio, ESKMO, Ott (Twisted Records UK), Sub Swara, Eliot Lipp, Telepath, Big Gigantic, and many others.
Ian’s varied taste in music shines through in both his original productions and his DJ sets, and his vision as an artist continues to grow. Whether opening, playing the peak hours, or closing the night he always brings something unique to the dance floor.
DJ BRAD LEE
Brad has been spinning beats for over 10 years to crowds big and small all over the 518 and 413. With no margin of error expect tight mixes, bangin beats, and only the best tracks selection. Catch him in Troy, Albany, and beyond doing his thing at many of the local and regional electronic music gatherings.
www.myspace.com/djbradleejunglist
DJ FOGES
These days, people want unique and organic. That’s what Benjamin Fogel provides. Also known as FOGES, Fogel has been producing and DJing house/electronic and dubstep music since 2007. The Albany, New York native was influenced by his time playing guitar in a progressive rock band as well as his experience attending Camp Bisco, a musical festival just outside Albany. There, he was exposed to the electronic music scene and instantly knew what direction his music would take. Over the past three years, FOGES has experimented with many different forms of music, ranging from primitive to acousmatic genres. Through this wide range of influences, an original and organic sound was born, unique and appealing to a wide variety of listeners. His experiences studying music technology and composition in Boston, Mass. have also influenced his musical performance. FOGES currently performs a forever-morphing style of music in venues around the Northeast.
http://www.soundcloud.com/foges
MOTHER FLETCHER
Mother Fletcher is an eclectic and unique mix of ska, rock and reggae. Their special blend of music brings together sounds and styles from all over the world; with the creative use of such instruments as the harmonium out of the far east, to the sardonic sounds of the violin. Mother Fletcher takes it to the next level by layering on top notch percussion, free style beat box, trumpet, and an array of dubbed out crazy sounds.
With lyrics that convey lost love, loneliness, regret and the hope of new beginnings, Mother Fletcher keeps it surprisingly upbeat and extremely danceable bringing their audiences to an insatiable frenzy and leaves them wanting more, more, more.
www.facebook.com/motherfletchermusic
ONE.MAN.AND
Born in Harrisburg, raised in Hummelstown and hailing from Chocolate Town, PA, Justin (jut) Keller first started producing in 2006. After poking around multiple versions of fruity loops studio, it was only natural to progress in this SOFT SYNTH age of electronic music. One.man.And was born.
- later in 2008, Justin found Rich Hartranft, via social networking. Raised in Mountain Top, PA, Rich has been drumming from age 7, following in the footsteps of his father.
Their first gig together, One.Man.And-LIVE debuted on valentines 2009 w/ KJ SAWKA. & CHRONICLES OF THE LANDSQUID.
One.man.And fuses not only music but ways of preforming. A hybrid LIVEtronic infused Dubstep, Drum n Bass, House, Dub (as well as many sub genre variations: neurofunk, liquid funk, drumstep, electro, trance, psybient, trip hop, grime & garage) Duo.
The goal is to create something never before heard before, and that is what we will do.
THE PRIMATE FIASCO
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The Primate Fiasco spawns from the streets of Northampton MA. With tuba, banjo, clarinet, trumpet, drums, and vocal harmony, it’s the instrumentation of a New Orleans sidewalk band but with modern influences. While the band can play authentic “Traditional Jazz”, the music that’s more likely to come out of their ancient instruments is often recognized as funk, reggae, bluegrass, hip hop, rock, latin, trance, the occasion Serbian gypsy jam, etc. But the world has enough labels already. Most would agree on the category of “fun”. If you want to invent a genre, “psychedelic dixieland” seems to get the point across. The band started on city sidewalks and eventually started getting invited into venues and festivals frequented by the Jam Band or Indie scene. At a Primate Fiasco show, you’ll see hippies and punks, ravers and jazz enthusiasts, elderly and children, all dancing on the same floor. An important thing to note about The Primate Fiasco’s music is that they can play the same song for the children, weddings, or a club full of drunk screaming college students. This formula works like a skeleton key. |
