Continuing on with our Catskill Chill 2012 preview…
5. Conspirator
Formed in 2004 by Aron Magner and Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits’ keyboardist and bass player) along with New York producer DJOmen, Conspirator has taken on many forms through the years. With the recent addition of virtuoso guitarist Chris Michetti and ex-Pendulum drummer KJ Sawka, Conspirator has reached a new level. As a full band, the music is hitting new highs, and with the addition of an arsenal of newmaterial, crowds across the nation have begun to catch on. Conspirator can no longer be considered merely a side-project, but must be looked at entirely as its own entity.
Here’s a peek at what these guys are capable of. #rage
(Live At The Fox Theatre, Boulder CO 02.10.2012)
4. Zoogma
(Photo by Andrei Molchanov)
Zoogma combines the sonic diversity and precision of a DJ with the excitement and immediacy of a four 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. Evolving in Oxford, MS, Zoogma’s sound is 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. With the release of their debut album, Recreational Vehicles, along with a relentless tour schedule, the four members have already added their unique voice to the live electronic-rock scene.
http://youtu.be/KyuZkQZzBho
3. Yonder Mountain String Band
Yonder Mountain String Band has always played music by its own set of rules. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences that the band cites, Yonder has pioneered a sound of their own. With their traditional lineup of instruments, the band may look like a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they’ve created their own music that transcends any genre. Dave Johnston points out “What could be more pure than making your own music.” Yonder’s sound cannot be classified purely as “bluegrass” or “string music” but rather it’s an original sound created from “looking at music from [their] own experiences and doing the best job possible.
2. Lettuce
These guys put the F in Funk! One of the most energetic bands I have seen live ever. They are sure to have the crowd rockin and groovin all night! If you like to get down with the funk these guys are sure to fulfill all your needs and more!
Lettuce sprouted in the fertile environment of Berklee College of Music in Boston where all members met at a summer music program when they were in their teens. “I hate to sound cheesy, but I fully feel it was destiny that this band came together,” says Krasno. “We were all in the same place, all the same age. None of the friends I grew up with were into music like I was. Then I went to Berklee that summer, and all these guys were into music the way I was, and it happened that we were all playing the right instruments to put together a band.”
Here is a personal favorite and funky fresh taste of what you can expect from this amazing group!
1. LOTUS
Lotus has been in MAJOR crush mode lately! Destroying All Good Music Festival late night along with constantly developing and progressing their sound, always leaving people mesmerized and dizzy from how hard they rock! Lotus combines so many different types of Music to please any ear. You could hear a soft gentle body warming melody turn into a hardcore late night dance party in the matter of seconds! These guys never disappoint no matter where, no matter when! They are sure to melt faces and leave you tingling wanting more.
Lotus has crafted a unique musical style outside of simple genre limitations. On a given weekend the band could be the only group with guitars at an all electronic music festival and then the next night crash a traditional rock festival with their dance heavy beats, synths and samples. Equal parts instrumental post-rock and electronic dance, the band’s distinguishing feature is the ability to maintain a decidedly unique musical voice and remain current while bucking passing trends.
No matter what the venue, the energetic joy and catharsis of a Lotus show is infectious. The band slowly built a devoted fan base through steady touring and the crowds have grown at an increasing pace. This grassroots growth has made the band in high demand for festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Ultra, and Rothbury and earned the band sold out shows at the country’s premier theatres and clubs.
Lotus’s new self-titled album moves in a decidedly more electronic direction than their previous two releases – Hammerstrike (2008) and Oil on Glass/Feather on Wood (2009). Analog synthesizers, manipulated sounds, dub effects and heavy bass are complemented by horn and string arrangements in addition to Lotus’s standard guitar/bass/drums instrumentation. Grooves move from slinky funk and gritty half-time on the first half of the album to the beautiful and expansive closing track Orchids. While short pieces of vocals are used throughout, the only song to feature singing is The Surf. The track may be the closest thing to an indie-pop song the band has released, but the melodic guitar hooks and ecstatic synth parts are pure Lotus.
Similar to their music, the recording process for the album looked in multiple directions in order to achieve a distinct style. Using traditional recording methods to track live to analog tape and then editing and mixing using modern techniques created an expanded musical space filled with uniquely crafted sounds. The band road tested and tweaked these tracks for the better part of two years. The result is an album worthy of the self-titled status – the band’s singular sound and spirit runs through every track.
Here is a funk-busting, eye popping, extremely huge tune that is sure to have you grooving and smiling all night long!
