Roots, real deep roots reggae at its best!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Zoe Boekbinder @ Subterranean arthous, Berkeley CA Jan 2014
Last month I was lucky enough to catch one of the few shows that Zoe Boekbinder did in California. I have known and listened to Zoe's music for years. I was very last when over a year ago she up and moved to New Orleans . . . but upon hearing how her sound has evolved and grown all my sorrow was evaporated. Her haunting and beautiful voice can remind you of the saddest day you can recall OR it can make you bubble up with joy and love and a giddiness that is more playful than a child's daydream. Zoe is one of those musicians who it is really quite pointless to write about. . . there are no collection of words or explanations that can capture the scope of her talent. please go listen, and if you are lucky you will get to see her live!
I am eagerly awaiting the release of two separate projects Zoe continues to work on. The first is a crazy endurance project where Zoe made 100 songs in 100 days! While she admits that not all of the songs will see the light of day many of them will hopefully grace an album within a few months.
The second project is a ambitious reaching into the dark spots of out society to see the hidden light. Zoe is working with inmates at Folsom county prison to produce their lyrics and music. She is collaborating with people who our society shut away and forget but who are still people. People with talent and stories so raw that they echo in your bones even if you cannot understand them. My hope every time I get to see Zoe in concert is that I will get to hear her perform some of these songs; Each song also has a story behind it that gives the song an extra depth and dimension. When this album is released I will be one of the first to get it.
Opening for Zoe Boekbinder was Red Steppes. This young okland native has a knack for writing songs that paint pictures of beauty and joy punctuated with tales of loss and longing. Each one has a sobering perspective with a message some times overt but often subtle. Even this short opening set left an impact on me that makes me eager to see her perform again. With any luck her first album will be out in the next few months!
https://www.facebook.com/ZoeBoekbinderMusic
https://redsteppes.bandpage.com/
https://www.facebook.com/redsteppes
Monday, December 23, 2013
Terravita at SLO Brew San Luis Obispo, Ca; 5 Dec 2013
I dont listen to much dub step, but when I do listen I like it HARD! Terravita delivers the wobbly beats that drive my feet into unsyncopated rhythm and general body seizures that everyone else sees as sick dance moves. Getting to watch Terravita do their thing was great but this show was not lacking talent on any front!
Opening with tropo and being followed by robotic pirate monkey seemed a bit like a random collection to me but it gave the show a wonderful theatrical build. Tropo is a melodic mix of live instrument performance and electronic DJing. The rhythm is sensible and drives you to move your body whether you want to or not. If Terravita is the smack you in the face deep beats, Tropo would be the fast paced sensual beats. Some where in between those two is Robotic Pirate Monkeys, which may be my favorite just for the name! I have to admit, while I enjoyed all three bands i think RPM would be the group I listen to most often. There are times when Tropo would fit the bill and days when Terravita is necessary but RPM was just fun, border line silly dance music from these two guys who are falling over each other to mix the music! I dont mean 'falling over each other' as a bad thing either, its fun to watch and the results are foot tapping shoe shuffling shenanigans!
See these guys! See them often and always be dancing in your heart!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Will Hoge at SLO Brew, San Luis Obispo CA, 7 dec 2013
When people ask me what music I like my response is usually "anything but country" which is why I dont want to call Will Hoge or Joe Koenig (the supporting act) country music. I like folksy music and outlaw country (al la johnny cash) is a whole separate thing . ..but it isnt. It is performers like Joe and Will that make it so I have to take stock of my 'not country' stance. These guys are solid performers with music I thoroughly enjoy. If you see these ramblers passing through your town make sure to give them a once over . . . especially if you are thinking 'but I dont like country" they might just surprise you.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Tribal Seeds at Slo Brew, San Luis Obispo, CA. 20 nov 2013
If you were looking for a who's who of new reggae you should have been at SLO Brew on nov 20th! I could say tribal seeds, the deep reggae band out of san diego, was headlining and that would be enough to make it a show worth attending! Since 2005 Tribal seeds have been releasing reggae hits on an independent label and each year their notoriety rises! The 'older stuff' is solid reggae with a predictable beat and lyrics that are heavily 'chill', which is great but the new music (everything from soundwave to their unrecorded songs that we all hope will be on a new up coming album) has additional complexity not only in the instruments but in the thoughtfulness of the lyrics without losing that mellowing vibe.
I know most of you would go to a tribal seeds concert but toss in Pacific Dub as a supporting band!!! well now you are covering the reggae spectrum. Pacific dub is more reggae rock with a heavier guitar influence and stronger bass line. They manage to keep an upbeat fun feel but have a sound that is more 'accessible' by those who appreciate a little more rock and hip-hop in their reggae.
What was most surprising to me was the opening band Hirie. I had not heard of this group and they blew me away! Smooth soulful and energetic. The combination of strong rhythm with lyrics that portray a joyfulness in life make this an act not to miss. If I had a crystal ball to see the future in I am sure I would see Hirie as a headlining reggae band that people travel hundreds of miles to see.
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