The Aliens are Coming!

With IndyMojo’s own Mojostock rapidly approaching, now would be the time to start really checking out some of the artists you may not have seen or even heard of before. One of the groups I’ve recently spent some time “getting to know” is the Disco Aliens. Having not heard much from, or even about them, I was intrigued by their name and the fact that they’re actually from the Midwest. Hailing from Louisville, KY, Tyrhon Brooks (Obitykenobi), Chris Mendel (Elektrolyte), Daniel Batson (Archon) and Sean Collins (Plexxx) are four DJs from separate fronts who have combined forces to expand musical perceptions and blow the minds of audiences with their unique mix of electro-tech dub.




I recently had the opportunity to talk with Ty and Chris of the Aliens crew to get the full scoop on them, the music, and their take on Mojostock. With a solid following in Louisville and St. Louis as well as appearances at Halfway to Forecastle, Forecastle, and The Land of Nod Experiment, I was surprised to learn that Mojostock will be only the Disco Alien’s second time playing in Indiana. And after learning they'd shared stages with Kraddy, EOTO, and Excision, I decided to ask the guys why they hadn’t penetrated Indy’s rising EDM scene before now. Chris explained, “Disco Aliens started as a side project. We all had our own things going. We don’t want to travel too much. We’re just catching shows in stride.” Ty added, “We've had friends in St. Louis from the get-go who got us set up with a New Year’s Eve show and it just grew from there.”



So, how do they feel about their spot on the Mojostock line-up? “We love working with IndyMojo, so it just fell in place,” supplied Chris. Then Ty confessed, “We’re really looking forward to it. We love festivals,” before Chris finished, “A lot of us love playing on an outside stage, but we’re gonna turn heads no matter what!”

From there, the guys went on to discuss why this intergalactic foursome works and the affect it has on them as producers. Chris broke it down for me, “We are all different in our own ways and have separate sounds and elements that are put together to make something new; we mesh our styles and lay it out.” Ty followed-up, “It’s always evolving; nothing is ever the same. [Our shows] tell a story that is also being told to us. We experience it at the same time as the audience. We can play for 5-6 hours and not even realize. It’s like a time warp. There is a lot of passion in what we do.”

Video: Disco Aliens at Crop Circles

To finish it up, I wanted to know if there was anything else the guys would want Mojostock goers to know leading up to the event. They both kind of laughed before Chris warned, “Be prepared. The aliens are coming.”

To learn more about the Disco Aliens and to hear some of what they have to offer, check out their website or find them on Facebook.




For more Mojostock info, be sure to visit the event page and RSVP. Oh, and don't forget to buy your presale tickets before it's too late. With a stellar line-up and top-notch production, the 3rd annual Mojostock might be sold out BEFORE you get there!

Read more: KG's Blog on IndyMojo.com

Things are about to get InTents!

Okay festie kids, it’s that time of year again…the InTents Promo Tour is back! For those not familiar with my gig, here’s the rundown: I hit up some of the hottest festivals the summer has to offer, camp out of course (hence the in-tents bit), and spread the word on the music I love. This is my third year at it, so it’s time to step it up. Be prepared for interviews with some of the best bands, organizers, and artists the jam scene has to offer as well as more pictures and videos of the things I see!

This year, I’m starting with one of my all-time favorite festivals, the Summer Camp Music Festival taking place May 26-30. Located at Three Sister’s Park in Chillicothe, IL, Summer Camp is set to kick off my tour with one of the best line-ups the summer has to offer. Not only are there going to be the same fan favorites as years past i.e. moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Pretty Lights, Cornmeal, Yonder, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and STS9, but you can also find more than a few big additions. The top two in my opinion are the addition of Widespread Panic and Huey Lewis and the rUMors which consists of members of Umphrey’s McGee!


Cornmeal on the Moonshine Stage-Summer Camp 2010


Umphrey's McGee- Summer Camp 2010



Not only will the 5+ stages be stacked, but there will also be plenty to do and see outside of live music. One of my favorite parts of Summer Camp is their dedication to greening initiatives and non-profit organizations. The Soulshine Tent is a hub for artists and philanthropists alike with sustainable living workshops, sociopolitical seminars, artwork by regional artists, and even morning yoga classes. Plus, this year it will run on solar power! As for music, there will be plenty of that as well. With quite a few bands jumping on board to represent the non-profit organizations they support, the Soulshine tent is a great spot to soak up a ton of good vibes. And once the sun goes down, it appropriately turns into the Late Night 312 Vibe Tent and will feature sets by Mimosa, Boombox, Polish Ambassador and a slew of other raging badns and DJs.


Cornmeal in the Soulshine Tent at Summer Camp 2010

To learn more about the beginnings of Summer Camp as well as its continuous growth over the last 10 years, I set up an interview with lead organizer Mike Armintrout. With an ever-expanding role in making big things happen at Scamp, Mike oversees everything from marketing and advertising to vending and volunteers. He is even responsible for about 25-30% of talent buying and booking. Although it is a big job, Mike admitted it is a labor of love. “We’re a small company and we are all here for the love of live music. As it grows, we can afford to give other people an opportunity to work and help.” He went on to explain, “The [jam} scene is built around such a great community of people. When we started, it’s where all our tastes were and still are. Even though those tastes have expanded, every one of us does it because we are passionate about doing it.”

As for the group that makes it happen year after year, Mike confessed, “It’s like a family reunion! Over the last 7-8 years, people have moved, but they maintain those same areas. Those 25-30 of us still hold our positions and we hope the camaraderie that we feel translates from us to the fans.” Addressing the egos that can be associated with working with bands, promoters and other organizers, Mike assured me, “They just don’t exist with Summer Camp. There is a lot of satisfaction and self-fulfillment that comes from working on this festival.”

After reaching roughly 13,000 festival goers last year, Mike is confident the numbers will only continue to rise. “As we look towards this year, I definitely think we’ve outdone last year with the addition of Widespread alone and all of us are excited to see Huey Lewis play with Umphrey’s McGee!” When I asked him to expand on the addition of the iconic musician/actor, Mike declared, “If Umphrey’s McGee wants to do something with Huey Lewis at a fest, we want to make that happen.”


UM-Summer Camp 2010



Regarding whether he and his crew will even have time to catch any music between coordinating stages, collecting and sorting trash, and keeping things running smoothly, Mike proclaimed, “We all have different ideas of what to see and we hope that the work we’ve done will allow us to see things we want to see.” Having had a chance to talk with Mike at least year’s festival, I wasn’t surprised when he added, “However, from 5-6:15p on Sunday, I’ll be at the Moonshine stage watching the Avett Brothers with my radio off!” While on the subject of Sunday, Mike proclaimed, “It is definitely the cheapest single-day ticket for what you get; the line-up is ridiculous!”

As of now, the VIP tickets with Late Night upgrades have sold out and individual Late Night tickets are off sale. So if you’re still on the fence about whether or not to go, you might want to decide to go for it and get your passes now!


Campfire Stage & Late Night Barn- Summer Camp 2010


This video might help you make up your mind...holy lasers!

With so many things going on at the same time, be sure to hit up the Summer Camp website and Facebook page for full details on making your Summer Camp experience the best it can be. Also, don’t forget to check out their “Activism” page to see how you can help make a difference while you are there!

Stay tuned for my full review after the fest!
Until then, stay safe my friends!
music.love.KG.

Read more: KG's Blog on IndyMojo.com!

The Werks & Zoogma at the Vogue!

***LATE POSTING***

With festival season heating up (despite the rain of course), it is sometimes easy to overlook some amazing shows going on locally. One such show happens to be set for this Friday, May 6th at the Vogue in Broad Ripple. The IndyMojo crew has put together yet another show that brings together a few of the jam scenes strongest groups to add a little warmth to an otherwise rainy Midwest existence.

The Werks and Zoogma will combine forces for a show that is sure to make your body move and your mind nearly explode with euphoric jam delight. Add Hollow Point, one of Indy's rising-star DJs, and you have a high-energy line-up that is sure to please any musical taste.



With their special blend of "psychedelic dance rock," the Werks have become a powerhouse in the regional jam scene and can be found on the schedules of several big-name festivals such as Summer Camp, Wakarusa, Rootwire and All Good as well as their own Werk Out Festival. I recently had the opportunity to catch them during Wuhurth Productions' "Urth Daze" at Muncie's all-ages venue, Be Here Now. As a surprise addition to the show, the "Urth" fans couldn't get enough of their funky dance beats. Each song escalated to the point of pulsating excitement before pulling back to start again. It wasn't hard to see why these guys have been dominating stages all over the country.




Video: The Werks in action!

Video: With Papadosio NYE2011

http://www.thewerksmusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/thewerksmusic






In the same category, you can find Zoogma. Although I haven't seen them live for a few months, these guys have been making the rounds with some pretty notable players in the jam scene...and rightfully so! Having recently toured with Papadosio, Perpetual Groove and Big Gigantic, Zoogma has also taken the Midwest scene by storm with their heavy electronica beats and dynamic improvisation. They too can be found on some of the top bills this summer including Wakarusa, Rootwire, Camp Bisco 10 and Bear Creek.




Video: Wakarusa 2010

Video: Yes, Ghostbusters!

http://www.zoogma.net/
http://www.facebook.com/zoogmaband


As for Hollow Point, expect some bass heavy beats that hit you right in the chest. Recently joining forces with the IndyMojo/G-9 team, he has no place to go but up...and he'll keep you dancing the entire way! Check him out on Facebook to hear a sample of what he has to offer!



Don't forget the show is THIS Friday, so get your tickets TODAY!

Friday, May 6th
The Vogue Theater
Doors @ 8pm
Music @ 9pm
$8 Pre-sale
$10 Door
http://www.thevogue.com/


Until then, stay safe my friends!
music.love.KG.

Read more: KG's Blog on IndyMojo.com!

Oh EOTO!

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock or you just haven’t been paying attention, I’d like to inform you that the IndyMojo crew is bringing EOTO to the Vogue this Thursday, April 28th! Now you probably know a little something about EOTO, but in case you don’t, their bio reads like this: “Throbbing bass and thudding beats are the signatures of this project from drummers Michael Travis and Jason Hann. Born out of their shared love of electronic dance music, EOTO’s M.O. is to take the free-wheeling party vibe of a DJ set to the next level by using organic instruments, innovative performance technology, and uncharted musical exploration. Live drums, guitars, and keys, and vocals are mixed, remixed, and sampled on the fly using cutting-edge programs. This is all done without a script, and without a net.”

Something else you may or may not know is that Travis and Hann are also members of The String Cheese Incident and certified warriors of the road; their current tour features an astounding 60 shows in 64 days! Even with a grueling schedule offering little down-time, I had the opportunity to conduct a phone interview with Jason Hann about EOTO’s time on the road, what it takes to make an EOTO show successful, and the addition of VJ-extraordinaire Peter Berdovsky, better known as Zebbler.

After a quick introduction and a confession of how “giddy excited” I was for the chance to talk with him (yes, I said giddy), we started off by addressing life on the road and having only 4 days off in just over two month’s time. What I really wanted to know was how they find the time to relax with that kind of schedule. Without hesitation, Jason exclaimed, “We after-party every night! After a show, we’re really revved up. When we after-party, we get to party and relax at the same time.”

Coming off a show in Pawtucket, RI, the EOTO crew was heading to West Dover, Vermont that night for an intimate charity event that would only have about 100 people in attendance. So, how does a band whose entire show is improv and normally draws from the energy of hundreds of people connect with such a smaller group? Hann explained, “No matter who is there, we just try to rock those people as hard as possible. For a smaller audience, we will experiment more; there’s more freedom to do something different…something quirky.”

To me, it seems that trying new things has greatly added to the intensity of EOTO's shows over the past few years. If you check out early EOTO recordings, you’ll find a lot of the jams are more progressive psychedelic in nature rather than the harder, dub-laden shows of late. Hann confessed, “When you are at shows and you see people entrenched in and responding to more aggressive bass lines, you start to see how they are affected by it.” He went on to clarify, “[EOTO shows] are a roller coaster ride between the aggressive stuff and the mellower electronica stuff to keep people with us. If we stay with electronica for too long, people just start to stare at us.”

Video of EOTO in 2007!

Talking about different types of shows and how the energy of a crowd doesn’t necessarily rely on the number of people led us to the topic of Zebbler, a visual performance artist with a keen eye for stellar effects and a poignant approach to lighting live shows. “He’s been a huge, awesome addition to shows. It’s all original content and with all the visual, it isn’t hard to let your mind go somewhere else.”

A sample of some of Zebbler's work with EOTO

One of the most intriguing aspects of EOTO for me is how different their sound is from SCI. “String Cheese is a different type of musical experience,” affirmed Hann, “if we recreated something String Cheese-y, it wouldn’t be honest. We aren’t the main songwriters of that band. EOTO came from jamming ourselves for hours on end and enjoying doing so.”

The final thing I wanted to touch upon was how the Midwest measures up to the other regions they had and would be visiting during this run. “Beside Colorado, the Midwest crowd is probably the strongest in the electronica scene. We’re always pleasantly surprised by how much further into it they are each time we come back.” When I brought up the Indy scene specifically, Jason proclaimed, “Indy always has a great turn-out; it will be nice to get back in there!”

With a dying phone battery Jason didn’t have much more time, so I thanked him profusely for the time he had spared and wished him and Travis safe travels until I see them at the Vogue.

I totally have a crush on EOTO.



If you still aren’t sure about hitting up this show Thursday, April 28th at the Vogue, check out EOTO’s website to help make up your mind.

For additional information about the show, go to the IndyMojo presents... EOTO @ The Vogue event page.

Thursday April 28
Doors open at 8pm
$18

Get your tickets here!

BUY ADVANCE TICKETS and GET FREE EOTO DOWNLOAD!
Please forward your receipt to eoto.eoto@gmail.com to receive the link and password to download the New Year's EOTO show in Denver.

Oh, and don't forget to hit up the show early and check out Kodama. He'll be bringing his mix of electronica beats to get the party started!


Until then, stay safe and dance in the rain!
music.love.KG.

Read more: KG's blog on IndyMojo.com!

Cornmeal Returns to Indy!

So, what would happen if you comprised a show of Chicago’s most notable bluegrass jam band with Indianapolis’ favorite face-melting funk crew and then threw in one of the rockinest folk rock bands in the Midwest? Well, my friends, why not hit up the Vogue in Broad Ripple this Friday and find out?

Cornmeal will be rolling through town to offer up some foot-stompin’ jams with Indy’s own Twin Cats & Waldemere Revival rounding out a stellar line-up. Although all the bands are pretty progressive in their sounds, some folks might think it strange to pair up a predominantly bluegrass band and roots-y folk band with funk, but I happen to think IndyMojo is on to something with this one!


Cornmeal
photo taken from FB


Twin Cats
courtesy of Adam Alexander Photography


Waldemere Revival
photo taken from FB

When I recently asked the Twin Cats crew how they felt about a show that encompasses so many different types of music, drummer Adam Catron immediately threw out “It’s awesome…I love it!” Nick Gerlach, the Twin Cat’s saxophonist, declared, “It’s like a festival!” Bassist Cameron Reel went on to explain, “That is not just bluegrass. They have a banjo player; that is really all that makes it bluegrass. They are completely different. We get a lot of that, too; that we are not just a jam band. That’s two bands on the same bill that can’t be pigeon-holed.” The recent addition of Waldemere Revival adds yet another band that doesn’t fit into a certain genre. TWR has been taking the jam scene by storm in the last year with their unique sound and heart-pounding shows.

Catron went on to add, “All three bands are upbeat, ya know?” Reel offers up, “It will be a high energy show,” before Catron finishes. “I think all of us will be there to party and give all those people a good show.”

This will certainly be one of the more interesting shows to catch this spring. Even with all three bands have had shows in the Midwest recently, they haven’t been paired up quite like this. Be sure to stop by the Vogue this Friday, April 15th and see for yourself what happens!

In the meantime, check out some videos of all three bands to get you ready for the get down!

Cornmeal - Midnight

The Twin Cats - Straight Flush

The Waldemere Revival - Sweet Caroline

For full details, check out the event page-> IndyMojo presents.. Cornmeal & The Twin Cats @ The Vogue.

To learn more about each band, check out their Facebook pages and/or websites!
Cornmeal: Facebook/website
Twin Cats: Facebook/website
Waldemere Revival: Facebook/website

Hope to see you this Friday at the Vogue!


Until then, stay safe and enjoy the sunshine!
music.love.KG.

One last thing, check out Adam Alexander Photography to check out more amazing photos from recent Midwest shows!

Read more: KG's Blog on IndyMojo.com!

The Future (Rock) Unfolds!

If you’ve ever been to a Future Rock show, then you’ve probably seen the blinding light show, heard the psychedelic jams, and felt the temperature rise as a crowd full of people went crazy on the dance floor. What you probably didn’t get to see is the amount of time and hard work that goes into making a show like that happen. Last week before their show at The Bluebird in Bloomington, IN, I was given the opportunity to sit down and have dinner with not only the three members who make up the band, but a couple of the other guys who help take it to the next level.

Of course bassist Felix Moreno, keyboardist Mickey Kellerman, and drummer Darren Heitz were there. Add to the table their manager Leif Moravy and the newest addition to their crew, Alex “Herm” Schneider, and you have a group of guys who know how to make shit happen. ..but not without a lot of long hours and sacrifice. While discussing the stigma of the “rock star” lifestyle, Mickey is the first to set it straight. “People go to shows and that’s all they see…during the show. Touring, setting up, tearing down; it’s a lot of work.” Felix chimes in, “Yeah, and when you have a bad show, it sucks. You just worked your ass off and you bombed…and if you end tour on a bad note, it just sits with you. You always want to end on a high note.” Given their recent break in touring, I asked what it is they do in their time off. With a slight chuckle, Mickey asks, “What time off?” “We all work,” confesses Felix. “We all have jobs; that’s life!” After discussing how most people would be surprised that Future Rock isn’t a “money-machine,” we touched on the subject of the relationship between a band and their fans as well as the availability of music. “I think the internet has really freed music up, and it’s wonderful!” explains Felix. “Like our new EP, Nights; it will be available to download for free some places, but you’ll also be able to go to Amazon and iTunes to buy it…and people will. If they like it and think it’s worth it, they’ll pay the money. It’s great!”

As we sat around chatting and discussing the show from the night before, I took some time to get a feel for the guys around me. It didn’t take long to understand the dynamic of their group. Felix is the outspoken one; always engaging in conversation and not afraid to speak his mind on a subject. Mickey is a bit more laid-back; he’s focused on what is going on and adds to the conversation if he has something to say. Darren is the most reserved; super laid-back and okay to just be in the situation. Leif is the boss. If a question comes up or there is a piece of information someone is unclear about, Leif is there to set it straight. He’s a man of high expectations and holds a position of great respect among the guys. If Leif says it’s a go, it goes. If he says it doesn’t, it won’t. He keeps things in order, in-line, and doesn’t mess around when it comes to managing his crew. He’s always on-point and keeps things running as smoothly as you can when working with such differing personalities.

The final guy at the table is no stranger to me or most of the Midwest music scene. Alex Schneider, most commonly known as “Herm” in the scene, joined the Future Rock ranks about a year ago. As the owner and top lighting designer of Herm Productions, his lights have been seen all over the Midwest festival circuit, and beyond, for more than three years. He is also known for bringing some of the best music to the Bloomington scene. After seeing dozens of shows with Herm on lights, it isn’t hard to see why Future Rock would want him accenting their shows with his own style of dramatic lighting and stellar special effects. When I asked the guys what it was like to work with the “dready kid,” they all jokingly threw in a barrage of “awfuls” and “pain-in-the-asses” before Felix admits, “He works harder than all of us. He’s the first to start working, and, at the end of the night, he’s the last to finish. He never stops!”

A defining theme throughout dinner was how much these guys like hanging out and teasing each other. There was a lot of heckling and even an argument over who is the mouthiest, but in the end, you can tell they genuinely care about one another. “When you’re in a band for so long, it’s like a weird family,” explains Felix. “Like last night, Leif told me my playing sucked, so I threw a drink at him.” Herm and Mickey throw out, “Two drinks!” before he continues. “Yeah, two drinks! And today, we’re fine. You get over things and move on.”

Later that night, as the band took the stage, I noticed the “family” aspect of their group adds a unique facet to their show. With Herm standing in wait, fingers on the keys of his light board, he looks to Leif on sound for his cue. All at once, the five of them start the show with an electrifying jolt. From the very first note to the climactic end of each song, they are a machine. They know each move before it is made and can anticipate how it should look, sound, and feel. On-stage, the band comes alive; each of them dancing, jumping up and down, and interacting with a zealous and appreciative crowd. Off stage, Herm hits every transition with notable flair and blows out the stage with giant LED bars and movers throwing color in every direction. Leif took in every detail while making sure the sound was up to par.


photo by KG


photo by Kelsey Ransom


photo by KG


photo by Kelsey Ransom


photo by Kelsey Ransom


photo by Kelsey Ransom


Check out this stellar video of Future Rock at the Bluebird!
footage by Sara Elifritz


When they had hit their final peak and brought the show to an end, they thanked everyone for coming and left the crowd dripping with sweat and reeling from the two hours of music pounding the inside of their skulls. All-in-all, the show was filled with big beats, bold lighting, and a very powerful blend of electronica, house, and rock. I stayed after to let the guys know that I really appreciated the time they took out to talk with me and for trusting me with their stories from the road. Equipped with a new Future Rock hat, I left feeling like I was in some way a small part of their “weird family.”


Herm, Darren, Felix, Leif, Mickey
photo by KG


If you haven’t had a chance to download Future Rock’s new single "Nights" and/or you want to know where you can catch them this spring/summer, check out their Facebook page or website to find out more!

A very special "thank you" goes out to my beautiful friends Kelsey Ransom for the amazing photos and Sara Elifritz for the stellar video!

Next, I'll be hitting up IndyMojo presents.. Cornmeal & The Twin Cats @ The Vogue...visit the event page for full details. In the meantime, "Like" the IndyMojo.com page to stay in the loop on some stellar upcoming shows including the 4.20 Tent Party, EOTO at the Vogue, and MojoStock!

Until next time, be safe and enjoy the sunshine!
music.love.KG.

Read more: Check out KG's blog in its entirety on IndyMojo.com!

For your listening pleasure: EUMATIK

When I walked into Be Here Now, Muncie's artsy-yet-totally-rad all-ages venue on St. Patty's Day, I was planning on taking in an hour or two of music before heading home early. Once again, the Midwest music scene proved me wrong. Indigo Sun was already rocking to an energetic crowd while Alex 'Herm' Schneider of herm Productions lit up the otherwise cave-like corner that houses the small stage on the lower level of BHN.


Herm...

Amongst the crowd, I stumbled upon the 3 guys who make up Eumatik. Derek Shelton (drums) and Ashton Kleeman (keys) bounced about with the same mix of quirky antics and mischievous charisma they always exude while Josh Lockwood (Ableton Live production guru) looked over their equipment. Josh is the quiet one...calm demeanor, polite smile, a little shy. That is, until they take the stage and he puts the hood of his zip-up on. At that point he, along with Shelton and Kleeman, morph into a crazy, dance-inducting music machine that literally forces your body to move and your mind to slip into the music.



With the welcomed addition of Herm's never-ending flow of beautiful colors and dramatic effects, they took over the crowd of appreciative music fans celebrating the Irish in all of us. It's hard not to fall prey to their free-flowing and infectious energy. I did and loved every minute of it.



After their St. Patty's gig, I asked the guys a series of questions to help the IndyMojo crowd become a little more familiar with this talented trio in preparation of their set this Thursday, March 31st at the Mousetrap with Psynapse & Jeremy Daeger for Indymojo Presents: Altered Thurzdaze w/Eumatik. View full event details here.


Chances are, if you've been anywhere near the Midwest Jam scene in the last couple years, then you've seen Josh Lockwood and Ashton Kleeman in action before. They are 2/3 of the psychedelic/fusion band Catch Curtis and Kleeman is also half of the livetronica duo Emryonic Fluid. Derek Shelton has sat-in with a plethora of Midwest bands such as Catch Curtis & Midwest Hype and was part of the jazz-fusion group Red Light Remedy. Here is a little more about Eumatik...in their own words!
Side note: If the talk gets a little "techy" for you, just know that these guys are extremely knowledgeable in not only how to play music, but how to MAKE music. Enjoy!

KG: Eumatik...care to explain that name?
Josh: The word Eumatik (pronounced "you-mat-ik"), was initially just a name we coined to define our sound. Since then, the word has evolved into more of a music-making concept than a title. We like to think of Eumatik as a living, trance-inducing, funk-blasting, dance mechanism that stimulates the mind by being harmonically innovative and experimental, yet easily accessible in the conventions of modern electronica.


KG: How would you define Eumatik's sound?
Ashton: We're a fusion band that has been flipped on an electronic axis so-to-speak, because Eumatik's sound isn't limited to electronica or electronic-based genres of music. We incorporate our jazz and classical training into the elements of our compositions via the way we treat the form, the transitions, or the harmonic dictation. But the one element to our music that we all follow and incorporate into every sub-element, is the production instrument, Ableton Live, orchestrated by Josh. We treat our live sets as a journey through the ultimate functions of music - dance and emotion. We attempt to be universally enjoyable on the dance floor by putting our own spin on techno, dubstep, trance, drum & bass, funk, hip hop, swing, and disco while simultaneously characterizing the track's personality or setting whether it be fun-loving, sexy, angry, goofy, robotic, imprisoned in a dark castle, shooting down enemy planes, haunted by ghosts, freaked out by circus freaks, abducted by aliens... stuff like that.


KG: With Altered Thurzdaze consisting of so much dubstep, what do you hope to bring to that particular scene?
Ashton: We will bring improvisation ... melodic and glitch improvisation.


KG: and how do you hope that crowd "responds" to your music?
Ashton: I hope they go bananas for Eumatik!


KG: How long have you, Ashton, & Derek been playing together and what made you decide to give Eumatik a go?
Josh: The three of us met in music school at Ball State University. Ashton and I started jamming about five years ago and we've played in Catch Curtis together for about three years now. Derek was in another band when Catch Curtis started, but I knew he could nail down beats to a click track in one take because I had him play drums on a few of my recording projects for school. Ableton Live was the sole reason that Eumatik came about. We realized that the three of us complement each other perfectly and our first official show was in October 2010. We've composed well over three hours of music for Eumatik since then and I couldn't be happier with the way we work together and function as a group.


KG: Is it ever hard to separate Catch Curtis from Eumatik...and the same for Ashton with Embyonic Fluid, CC, and Eumatik?
Ashton: For me, It's not a difficulty at all because they complement eachother in a very unique way. If I was a chef, it would be a secret, but I'm not, so I'll say that I manage to incorporate aspects of what I've
learned from playing in each project into each project in a sort of interwoven mesh of inspiration. So, actually it has been essential to finding my unique playing style and technique.


KG: What is the goal of Eumatik?...just for fun or all the way?
Josh: We really want to hit the festival scene hard and play a lot of late-night time slots. Music festivals bring a great mix of art and music lovers together, but lately there has been a difference in opinion between some of the "organic" (acoustic, no loops, no computers) music fans and "electronica" (synth-based, heavy use of loops, drum samples) music fans. So being lovers of both modern jazz and electronic dance music, one of our main goals is to bridge the gap between the two. A lot of newer electronica artists primarily emphasize rhythm, timbre, and texture via the sound design, and the synthesis alone is extremely in-depth. We are synth-prominent in instrumentation, but we also hope to appeal to jazz fans by adding a lot of color to our chord voicings, melodies, and solo sections. We love to get down to tasty synths and dance beats, but we're constantly challenging ourselves to be harmonically and melodically unconventional (for instance, using altered dominant scales, modal progressions, and modulating sequences in a hip hop or dance track). Another goal of ours is to stress the organic qualities of our group improvisation, even through the exploration of Ableton Live. We all believe that improvising is the key to expressing ourselves limitlessly within our art form, and we have an insane amount of fun when we improvise because of the hard work put into preparing for live shows. For me, making music is all about looking back through history, collecting all the qualities, characteristics, and sounds I love, and meshing them together into something that fits well. Our plan is to focus on building upon old ideas and develop new ones so we can continue to make the kind of music that we love... ALL THE WAY!!! for fun



To learn ore about Eumatik and/or to hear some recent tunes, check them out on Facebook or visit their website.

Eumatik on YouTube!

I would also like to say a very special THANK YOU to Adam Alexander for the use of his amazing photographs...check out Adam Alexander Photography and give him a "Like" today!

Until next time, enjoy the sunshine my friends!
music.love.KG.

Read more: KG's Blogs » IndyMojo - Find Friends and Fun in Indy

You've been Dosio-ed!

Ahhhh....Dosio.

After my last blog, where I outlined what to expect at a Papadosio show, I was pretty sure the show put on by IndyMojo this past Friday at the Vogue would be somewhat predictable. I should have known better.

With people filling the downstairs, PapaD took the stage to a rousing crowd of fans who were ready to get down. The 5-piece from Athens, OH were, in-turn, ready to make it happen. From their first note, Papadosio exuded positive vibes and played with an energy I hadn't seen from them since last summer. Coming off a three week break in Peru, it was apparent they had found their groove and a new-found passion for playing.



While seamlessly transitioning crowd favorites and songs from their upcoming album, PapaD offered the same perfect blend of powerful riffs and melodic lyrics with that little something extra that makes a show go from really good to simply amazing. They continuously worked the crowd into a frenzy before pulling back just enough to have them begging for more and then happily giving it to them. Each song ended with a dramatic climax with adoring fans on the tips of their toes soaking up every drop of Dosio they could. With glowing hoops, poi and about a dozen lasers going in every direction, the show captivated every sense and I could feel that unique energy that only Papadosio possesses. By the time they covered Yeasayer's O.N.E., I had seen all I needed to see.



In an industry where playing harder, faster, and louder doesn't necessarily equal better, Papadosio is the perfect balance. They know how to push just enough, slow down when needed and no matter how loud, they always seem to sound just-right. I wouldn't be surprised if before long, Dosio isn't selling out venues like the Vogue and moving into a higher jam tier. I can't wait to see what they bring to the festie scene this summer!

As for Sixdollarsuit and Octopus Nebula, I owe them a super huge apology for missing their sets. A serious of mishaps and unfortunate events ended with me getting to the show just as Papadosio took the stage. From all accounts, I was told both sets were pretty good!

Until next time, enjoy the sunshine my friends!
music.love.KG.

Be sure to check out more upcoming shows presented by IndyMojo! Their Spring line-up is STELLAR with shows by EOTO and Cornmeal...plus, their 420 Show & MojoStock are shaping up rather nicely!

For more info and/or tour dates for Papadosio, check out http://www.papadosio.com.

PapaD is back!

Papadosio, Dosio, PapaD…no matter how you refer to them, this captivating band from Athens, OH is always full of energetic jams and tantalizing grooves. With a show set for this Friday at the Vogue in Indianapolis, you will have the opportunity to experience them for yourself.



My first encounter with Papadosio came at Wuhnurth 09. As people flooded the main stage looking for Pnuma Trio, they were surprised to find an eclectic foursome spreading some seriously positive vibes. Due to travel issues for Trio, Dosio's set had been moved up and it didn’t take long for them to show they were more than capable of filling a headlining spot. Each song was executed with confidence and ease…the kind most commonly found in bands who have been touring together for decades, let alone a few years. By the time they covered Chromeo, the crowd was hanging on to every note and, in my opinion, they had successfully taken over Wuhnurth 09.



From there, PapaD has taken to touring the country from one coast to the other and back again; hitting up nearly every notable fest along the way. From side stage performances to headlining gigs, they blend heady electronica riffs and melodic lyrics and never fail to bring positive vibes to every set.

Now a five-piece with the addition of Sam Brouse on keys, they are continuing to take over the Midwest music scene. So far, they are set to play Summer Camp, Wakarusa, All Good, Beer Creek and, of course, their own Rootwire Music & Arts Festival in Logan, OH. Whether playing to a crowd of a few hundred or tens-of-thousands, Papadosio exudes positivity not only through their music, but their way of life as well.



Returning this week from a getaway to the Shimbre Shamanic Center located close to Puerto Maldonado, Peru, Dosio is ready to bring a new perspective on life and music to their fans. Taken directly from their site, papadosio.com-

"We have found ourselves in an extremely fortunate position to be in front of thousands of people all the time. We have chosen to express ourselves through lyrical means, and this is something we don’t take lightly. We want to stay on the path, whatever that may mean. This trip to Peru, will provide us with a new perspective, and hopefully allow us to continue to not only get this message across effectively, but keep the message pure of deviation."



Joining them for the first leg of spring shows is Octopus Nebula. Although I have not seen a live show, I have heard some amazingly good things about this Denver-based band. With Papadosio’s “seal-of-approval,” they are expected to be well received by the Midwest jam scene. Sixdollarsuit will also add their sound to the mix to round out a stellar unifying musical experience!

So, be sure to hit up their show this Friday, March 18th at the Vogue presented by IndyMojo.com. They will definitely help fight off the impending green haze brought on by St. Patty’s Day festivities.


Until then, be safe my friends.

music.love.KG.

Birthday Fun Run presented by IndyMojo.com, Hidden Relic Productions, & YMSB

Some people celebrate their birthday only 1 day a year…or maybe even for a couple days. As for me, I like to give myself a couple of weeks. I use to feel bad about this until a friend insisted an entire month was the way to go. This year, a two week tour of some of my favorite bands in the Midwest was just enough…even though it was cut a little short. More on that later.

My run started with Boombox, B!tch Please, and Bad Dagger presented by IndyMojo.com at the Vogue in Indianapolis. Bad Dagger, the side project of Twin Cats’ bassist Cameron Reel, started the night off with some sweet electronica jams produced solely by Reel. I felt Cam was a little reserved during his debut show, but knowing it came a little earlier than expected, I’d say his set was extremely solid. Spacey jams mixed with some techno and escalating climaxes with none of the womps you hear in most new ventures, it was a nice change from some of the stuff I’ve heard lately. I can’t wait to see where he goes with it at his April 21st show at Max’s Place in Bloomington with Catch Curtis.
B!tch Please came out next with his mash-up of Top 40 hits and head-bumping mixes. His set was filled with tons of energy and the crowd couldn’t help but move with the music. It was a nice transition into the highlight of my night, Boombox.




Consisting of Russ Randolph and Zion Rock Godchauz, Boombox mixes early funk and soul with a little disco and reggae to make a sound all their own. Their brand of jam is mellow with a bit of an edge that keeps you moving. To keep with that theme, Alex ‘Herm” Schneider from Herm Productions and Boombox’s own light guy, Todd, teamed up to bring two lighting styles together for one stellar show. Herm, with his bold color schemes and dramatic transitions paired nicely with Todd’s smooth color changes and more laid-back approach. It was interesting to see two styles meld together so well without any previous collaboration. By the time Boombox covered Shakedown Street (quite possibly my favorite rendition done of that particular jam), the crowd was under their spell and rocking in-sync with every beat. Overall, it was a great night of friends and music to kick off my birthday run. Check out IndyMojo.com for a ton of amazing photos from that show!




A few nights later I headed back to the Vogue where Galactic and Orgone were spicing up Valentine’s Day for the Indy area. Galactic out of New Orleans offers an infectious dose of jazz and funk that is unrivaled by most touring bands I’ve seen. Although I’m a fan of their earlier stuff, the giant “Ya,” “Ka” and “May” in huge LED-lit pieces at the back of the stage let me know they would be rocking some of their newer stuff. Neither the music nor aesthetics of that show disappointed. With Plexiglas covered LED’s not only lighting up the back of the stage, but around the keyboard, drums, and speaker, the lights beautifully accessorized a stage filled with heart-pumping funk and groovy jazz licks. Add the amazing skills of Corey Henry from Rebirth Brass Band on trombone and soulful voice of Cory Glover from Living Color, and you have the makings of a very intense love affair with funk. Another highlight from the evening was when Orgone, a funk/soul/afro-beat band out of L.A., joined the mix and added a whole new energy to the show; not to mention the first trombone-playing cowboy I had ever seen! Even though I missed Orgone’s set at the beginning of the night, I was glad I got to see what they could do. Being a Monday night, the show ended before midnight with most of the expansive crowd sticking around until the very end, soaking up the last drops of some seriously red-hot music. Special thanks to Hidden Relic productions for the opportunity to attend such an amazing show and for all they do for the Midwest music scene everyday!




At the end of that week, one of my very best friends and I trekked all the way to Urbana, IL for Yonder Mountain String Band at the Canopy Club. At this point, I must say that my heart beats for funk and soul, but bluegrass runs a very close race. With so much electronica and dubstep mixed into the scene these days, it was nice to see four musicians onstage with little more than their respective instruments and a love for what they do. And I wasn’t the only one! That was the final show in Yonder’s Cabin Fever tour and more than a few of the folks in the crowd had attended several of the earlier shows in the run. As Yonder opened their first set with “Free to Run,” the crowd pushed into the haze of the lower level and set their feet in motion. A mix of old favorites and a few new jams kept the energy high and bodies moving until set break. After some time to rehydrate and rest a bit, YMSB kick-started another set with a “Bolton Stretch/Boatman” mix. Their range went from classic bluegrass to gritty crossover jams that carried the same passion and energy until the moment we had to head out. Although we missed the end to what Yonder proclaimed as a “great run,” that show was definitely the shining moment of my birthday show tour. I can’t wait to catch them again this summer under blue skies and sunshine!




The final stop of my tour was to be Shaggy Wonda and the Twin Cats at 902’s in Bloomington with Brent Nixon of Herm Productions on lights. Due to some issues with the venue, the show had to be cancelled. Talk about a major bummer for the local Midwest scene! That show was slated to be a combination of intense blues/rock/jazz and face-melting funk. I can only hope that trio of Midwest talent will team up and try for another show in the very near future. Until then, check out Twin Cats at the Mousetrap this Friday, March 4th and Shaggy Wonda next Thursday, March 10th with Waldemere Revival and Midwest Hype for the Spring Carnivale at Max’s Place in Bloomington! Herm Productions will be lighting the stage for both events, so be sure to hit them up!

In the meantime, be sure to show your support for the Midwest scene by spreading the word on your favorite bands’ shows.

music.love.KG.