Eclectic Vibes - Rokktober 2012
by Andrew Frey
big gigantic
Majestic Papadosio
Anxious to hear more of Papadosio’s new release To End The Illusion Of Separation (T.E.T.I.O.S.) than Bandcamp.com had to offer, I found myself at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI on September 14th with a small but exuberant group of music lovers.
Opening the evening was Madison’s Wook (not to be confused with Minneapolis’s Wookiefoot) who hit their stride early and simply didn’t let up. Their smooth and flowing jam rock set a great vibe for the evening and opened the doors for the amazing grooves that were to follow. Even though I had just seen Papadosio at Shangri-La a few days before, they were undeniably on point and on fire for this headlining performance and simply blew the doors off the place. The guitarist actually blew out his amp at one point in their set and had to borrow one of Wook’s to finish. Song after song of invigorating transcendental rhythms washed with psychedelic jams, cosmic awareness, loving messages and blissful beats had me dancing all night long! In addition, their performance video, filled with sacred geometry and other complimentary imagery, rounded out the experience. A great evening filled with fantastic energies that definitely stirred hearts and fueled my mind. www.papadosio.com
Big Gigantic FREAKFEST!
Although I haven’t been up for going to the past several lackluster Freakfest events, this year holds gigantic intrigue. In fact, when UW students and other Madison monsters descend on State Street on Oct 27, they will be treated to a headlining set from non other than Colorado’s Big Gigantic! Other acts include rap star Mac Miller and Dutch electronic dance band Nobody Beats The Drum, plus Roster McCabe, Gentlemen Hall and Kids These Days. www.facebook.com/madisonfreakfest
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 is Conjecture 10 is Fact
Analog Players Society - Hurricane Season in Brooklyn
Analog Players Society
Album title: Hurricane Season in Brooklyn
Record Label: Studio Brooklyn
Rating: 9
The percussionist, producer, and visionary known simply as Amon is the creative force behind this release, which utilizes top-notch studio musicians to bring ska, Afrobeat, hip hop and a few tangential classic covers together into a fun, funky groove rich experience.
(2314) Page Views
Analog Players Society online:
• Website • Facebook
• Download Hurricane Season in Brooklyn from Amazon
• Purchase Hurricane Season in Brooklyn on Amazon
Beats Antique - Contraption Vol. II
Beats Antique
Album title: Contraption Vol. II
Record Label: Antique Records
Rating: 10
I’m pretty smitten with this prolific (7 releases in 5 years!) group. Dreamy alluring Middle Eastern and Gypsy melodies are married to equally intriguing electronic infusions. Add in violin, belly dancing, live drums and special DJ Pizazz, and viola! Brilliance.
(2092) Page Views
Beats Antique online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download Contraption Vol. II from Amazon
Govinda - Resonance
Govinda
Album title: Resonance
Record Label: self
Rating: 9
An EP of sensual electronic explorations through mysterious Middle Eastern beats woven into a tapestry of tantalizing female vocals, signature violin overlays and world-bass beats. Delicate, dark and delicious.
(2223) Page Views
Govinda online:
• Website • Facebook
• Download Resonance from Amazon
Hidria Spacefolk - Astronautica
Hidria Spacefolk
Album title: Astronautica
Record Label: Hidria Records
Rating: 10
Psychedelic space rock never sounded so good! Born out of a hippie commune in Finland and taking their cue from Ozric Tentacles, this non vocal Moog-a-delic experience will sweep you off on a stellar journey to dimensions unknown in the wink of a riff. See ya there!
(2172) Page Views
Hidria Spacefolk online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download Astronautica from Amazon
Unwoman - The Fires I Started
Unwoman
Album title: The Fires I Started
Record Label: self
Rating: 9
Erica Mulkey is Unwoman, a popular and prolific San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter that spices up the strings with electronic beats and attitude. With seven self-produced solo albums and six successful Kickstarter campaigns under her belt, she is turning herself into a musical icon thanks to all the fans she accumulates at the steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events that she highlights.
(2180) Page Views
Unwoman online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download The Fires I Started from Amazon
Wookiefoot - Ready or Not
Wookiefoot
Album title: Ready or Not
Record Label: Wookiefoot (self)
Rating: 10
Wookiefoot (one of my all time favorite bands!) continues on their cosmic musical consciousness exploration journey by offering another ever-evolving excursion into anthemic New Age-ish euphemisms gone hippy pop reggae bluegrass jam funk. Will they be the Shangri La for your soul too? Don’t miss their tour this fall!
(2239) Page Views
Wookiefoot online:
• Website • Facebook
• Download Ready or Not from Amazon