Eclectic Vibes - September 2012
by Andrew Frey
papdosio
Summerset Music Festival Sensation
BAM! Wisconsin has a new major festival! The inaugural Summer Set Music and Camping Festival took place on Aug 24-26 in Somerset, WI (About an hour from the Twin Cities and 4 ½ hours from Madison) and it was amazing. The lineup was incredible and the event was well thought out and generally well put together for such a large scale festival. The site was recently purchased by someone from Duluth, MN and since then they revamped it, expanded the camping and are offering a new vision for this musical mecca.
Three stages offered music from afternoon till late into the morning. The main stage was enormous, the side stage paltry and the EDM stage in the ice arena was tantalizing but often super hot and crowded. The Silent Disco tent provided another option of electronic entertainment in addition to the rest. This festival tested the limits of the facilities by swelling to well over 15,000 attendees, but the mood in the campground was generally chill and exuberant. Musical highlights for me were Big Gigantic, Mimosa, Paper Diamond, Cloud Cult, Umphry’s McGee, and of course Pretty Lights. Infected Mushroom debuted their new light show at the end and that was also stunning. I know I missed more groups than I saw, but I had a great time and hope to return again next year!
Papadosio
Live electronica has been exploding over the past several years and Papadosio is one of these new bands catching major attention. Imagine if the band Lotus had vocals. That is the easiest way to describe this quintet’s musical approach, which combines transcendental messages and vocals with some of the best live electronica and improvisation jams you will find anywhere. After recently relocating to Asheville, NC they are now out touring in support of their new release T.E.T.I.O.S. (To End The Illusion Of Separation). Experience them yourself, Sept 13 at Miramar Theater in Milwaukee or Sept 14 at the Majestic Theater in Madison.
Madison World Music Festival
Who loves world music? We do! The event this year is split between two days and two venues. Friday Sept 14 you will find MC RAI (Tunisia) headlining after Delhi 2 Dublin (India/Ireland/Canada) at the Memorial Union Terrace while Canteca de Macao (Spain, Venezuela and Chile) will be headlining on Saturday at the ever popular Willy St Fair. Each day boasts 4 international acts. The best thing about the event is that it is FREE, FREE, FREE! www.facebook.com/MadisonWMF
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 is Effluent - 10 is Ebullient
Bomba Estereo - Elegancia Tropical
Bomba Estereo
Album title: Elegancia Tropical
Record Label: Polen Records
Rating: 9
Bogota’s hottest band infuses highly danceable cumbia with pleasant doses of electronics, allowing their take on Colombia’s Afro-Latin roots and beats to be unique and memorable. Their explosive moniker, named for the monster sound systems that power the local parties in Bogota is the perfect attention getter and sets the tone for the amazing cross pollination of influences and energies, jumping from chicha and champeta to dancehall vibes and beyond.
(2104) Page Views
Bomba Estereo online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download Elegancia Tropical from Amazon
• Purchase Elegancia Tropical on Amazon
Magnum - On The 13th Day
Magnum
Album title: On The 13th Day
Record Label: SPV/Steamhammer
Rating: 8
This isn’t a ride into virgin territory. In fact, after 34 years and 17 studio albums, this Birmingham-based melodic hard rock band is continuing to build their long lasting and impressive legacy. That said, this is a solid, highly listenable addition to their history and manages to largely avoid falling into the corny kitsch trap.
(2196) Page Views
Magnum online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download On The 13th Day from Amazon
• Purchase On The 13th Day on Amazon
Norska - Norska
Norska
Album title: Norska
Record Label: Brutal Panda Records
Rating: 8
Tuned-down doom metal must be so fun to write. Loud, slow, huge, harsh, throbbing, epic, determined riffs and beats compliment the often harsh, but sometimes spacey vocals to produce a low end cacophony of dynamic delights. Contains members of and on tour with YOB this fall.
(2265) Page Views
Norska online:
• Website • Facebook
Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger le Monde!
Staff Benda Bilili
Album title: Bouger le Monde!
Record Label: Crammed Disc
Rating: 9
Filled with high energy and enthusiastic optimism, this group, originally formed by paraplegic street musicians in a half abandoned zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, takes their experience to the next level by showing off exquisite rhythms and lush harmony vocals provided by their seven singers. Energetic and invigorating!
(2218) Page Views
Staff Benda Bilili online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download Bouger le Monde! from Amazon
• Purchase Bouger le Monde! on Amazon