Archives

Vokab Kompany (Electronic funk)

Leave a comment

Vokab Kompany are two MC/singers from San Diego, California. Their new album, VKCE, a collaboration effort with up and coming production/musician duo Crush Effect, has been critically acclaimed and filled a void at the intersection of the hip-hop and EDM worlds. ‘VKCE’ is Hip-hop, it’s electronic, it’s indie – it’s a shout out to the past, and a taste of the future. Vokab Kompany’s Matt Burke describes the experience: “As musicians, it’s an ever evolving world; genres are a thing of the past, so we (VK) were really lucky to have teamed up with producers that pushed the boundaries of our boxes. We got outside our comfort zone, stamped a VK next to CE, and the result was something new entirely.”

The brazenly dynamic sound on VKCE has quickly garnered the attention of television and film. The record already has two national commercials, for a major carmaker (debuting 2013) and Southern Comfort. The album debuted at #47 on the iTunes hip-hop charts, behind only major-label releases from T.I. and Chief Keef among all hip-hop records released that week.

Achilles Wheel with special guests Lonesome Locomotive (Rock, world beat, and blues)

Leave a comment

Achilles Wheel is a high energy Roots and World music/Blues Rock and Roll band from Northern California, featuring award winning songwriting played on numerous stringed instruments and a whole truck load of drums. In the wake of their breakout performance at the 2012 Kate Wolf Music Festival, the band has been burning up stages all across California and is poised to travel much further in the coming year.

Naive Melodies (Live Talking Heads)

Leave a comment

Naive Melodies was formed in Arcata, CA early in 2011, performing and honoring music created by Talking Heads. Sets are designed to interweave older and newer Talking Heads songs. Fans can expect to hear a wide range of material, from early art-rock, to radio hits, and everything in-between. With blends of three-part harmonies, synthesizers, and heavy grooves, this 3-piece dance machine does Talking Heads right!

American Jubilee Feat Brian Lesh and Ross James with special guests Tracorum (Americana)

Leave a comment

A collection of young, professional musicians, American Jubilee cut their teeth moonlighting as the ‘Terrapin Family Band’ at Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads. They perform a mix of rearranged traditional Americana music and originals that draw inspiration from that same vein. Students of music history, American Jubilee tries to walk the same path that was first blazed by the likes of Levon Helm and Gram Parsons, and more recently has been furthered by musicians such as Ryan Adams or the Avett Brothers. While cemented by the core of Brian Lesh, Ross James, Scott Padden, Craig MacArthur & Alex Koford. American Jubilee often draws from the strong and growing population of young Bay Area musicians such as Grahame Lesh, Elliott Peck and Mike Pascale, as well as more established talent such as Mark Karan and Jon Graboff, to create a communal, family style of music that is hard to find elsewhere.

Jelly Bread with special guests 4 Piece Puzzle (Funk & Soul)

Leave a comment

‘NO DRESS CODE’

Voted Best Album 2012: Reno News & Review – Best of Northern Nevada 2012 (Aug 09, 2012)

Tahoe’s Band of the Year 2012 – Lake Tahoe Action (Dec 6, 2012)

Jelly Bread, emerging out of Reno, NV, is a tour de force of full frontal funk, thoroughly steeped in a Rock-Americana style, with a dash of rollicking indie alt-rock radio appeal.

The band is fronted by award winning songwriter and lap steel player, Dave Berry, and vocalist and beast of drummer, Cliff Porter. The band’s ability to meld the elements of a high desert twang and Oakland funk & rock through musical alchemy produces a chameleonic playlist highlighted by dual vocals that bounce between native chanting at a bluegrass barbeque and a gospel singer fronting a rock band at a Sunday morning service.

Dave and Cliff have known each other since childhood, growing up in the same neighborhood and attending the same schools, but only joined musical forces 4 years ago. Cliff brought his gospel band, rhythm section partner, Brady Carthen, and his bass slappin’ dirty funk with him. Likewise, Dave brought in songwriting collaborator and keyboard player, Eric Matlock, resulting in the core group that has crafted a high energy calling card that is counter-balanced by exceptional songwriting and storytelling. This mix of in-the-pocket drum and bass grooves, swampy lap steel guitar, dirt under the fingernails guitar licks, and take-’em-to-church organ is downright appetizing—bright colors and sweet, funky flavors.

The band’s influences range from the likes of Stevie Wonder, James Brown & Parlaiment Funkadelic to the reaches of modern contemporaries like Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Ben Harper and the John Butler Trio.

Having shared the stage with Soulive, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, G Love & Special Sauce, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rythm Kings, Rusted Root, and jamming with Jonny Lang, Jelly Bread has marked over 350 shows under its belts in its short 3 year history.