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!

https://soundcloud.com/tropo

http://roboticpiratemonkey.com/

https://soundcloud.com/roboticpiratemonkey

https://soundcloud.com/terravita

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. 

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.  

Aaradhna at SLO Brew, San Luis Obispo CA 4 nov 2013

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to catch some really . . .good for your soul music.  Now it was not 'soul music' per-say  but it was soulful.  Two musicians out of New Zealand with different styles but both hitting good vibes that had that ring of honesty to it.  I dont know maybe I am biased because I have a fondness for NZ but SWISS and Aaradhna are powerful!.  

SWISS opened using the same drummer, guitarist and bass player as Arradhna which was an impressive feat for that trio!  They showed incredible musical diversity and had such fun doing it.  The drummer won me over.  He played with a jazzy style and finesse that I do not see often enough, with those quirky twists of the wrist to hit the cymbals just so at a moment that is at the same time exactly when ti should be and not when you expect it.  In front of that is SWISS laying down that pacific islander smooth hip hop that I miss so much.  Even though the crowd was small he he had a great time and made use of the intimate setting to connect with everyone in the audience.  What I appreciated most is the down to earth lyrics and attitude that really says 'yes this is my life yes i want to share it with you'  

Aaradhna had the same realness, talking about her bouts of depression and how music helped pull her out.  It is clear she is making music not just to heal herself but in the hopes of helping others as well.   And her voice. . . I think the phrase heart-string might have been made to describe the way her echoing melodies pull you in.  IF you have not heard of this talented woman keep listening. . .she has been nominated for album of the year, single of the year, female vocalist of the year and peoples choice in the NZ music awards.  I wish I could tell you to catch her next show but she is already back home.  So join her FB and if you are lucky she will come back to the USA before her shows are selling out weeks in advance.  Seriously go listen to her right now, and just get lost in the retro smooth beats and melody of her voice.  

http://aaradhna.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AaradhnaOfficial

https://www.facebook.com/swissmusiq

Snowapple at Linnaea's cafe, San Luis Obispo CA 6 Nov 2013

Do you have any idea what to expect of Dutch indie music? I sure dont! but when I heard that a trio from Holland was performing in a sweet cafe not 5 blocks from my house I could not stay away.  The show invariably started late and it gave me a chance to talk to a few of the band members of Snowapple.  they are friendly and clever and could keep up with my wit (which always makes me smile) they speak in excellent English but host a cacophony of languages and have songs in french, dutch, English and  a few others.  The surprising thing is their conversational voices do nothing to communicate the POWER of their vocal chords.

I was frustrated, as I often am with half audience/half customer scenes but these women silenced the crowd by the third song!    It was then we all realized they are operatically trained and can BELT out sounds that are borderline unnatural!  Their songs range from haunting to knee slapping and all echo with you after the last note has sounded.  Hey SF they are playing tonight so get on it! but I might just like them because they liked my mustache and sang me a love song over it :) . They got one more show tomorrow ngiyht and then they are out of the USA!  dont miss out.

http://www.snowapple.nl/

https://soundcloud.com/snowapple

https://www.facebook.com/snowapplemusic