Eclectic Vibes - August 2016
by Andrew Frey
Dub Foundation at Majestic Theater on 7/21 - photo by Andrew Frey
FREE-DOM
Madison has a lot to offer in the way of Free music and I hit a stellar streak in mid July that set the bar high for the rest of the summer. It all started with La Fete De Marquette, 4 days of French and Cajun flavored festivities, musically highlighted by turntablist whiz Kid Koala, the jazzy swing pop of Ginkgoa, the rapscallion horns of Mama Dig Down’s Big Brass Band, the Afropop snap of Pape Diouf and the billowing blues of Tab Benoit. Sensational!
Monday 7/18 found us in Fitchburg for a grand edition of McKee Concerts in the Park. We got there just as Madison Music Foundry Youth Band was finishing up, but with plenty of time to catch the entire set of the ever effervescent soul funk of People’s Brothers Band. Their lively presence and solid show just got me anxious for the bands own festival, People Fest coming up on 8/11-13 at the newly established Driftless Music Gardens near Hillsboro, WI. driftlessmusicgardens.com/people-fest Also set to hit the stage at People Fest is another Madison sensation, Natty Nation. Conveniently, the next night, Tues 7/19, they played a fantastic full moon set at Breeze Stevens Field. This was my first venture into this location and the astro-turf was rare treat for dancing feet, so we happily took full advantage of it during their 2 hours of raging reggae. The Irie vibes continued on 7/21 with the walloping 10 man troupe, Dub Foundation at Majestic Theater in Madison as part of their 8th Annual SummerJam series. (A series which is closes out on 8/26 with the jamtastic Steez and Dense City majesticmadison.com/event/steez-dense-city). What a run! What a summer!
BLATANTLY BORIS
Regardless if you consider the avant-garde Japanese band Boris to be noise rock, doom metal, dream pop, psychedelic rock, or J-pop, they are a relentless musical force to be aware of. Producing 23 studio albums, plus a bunch of EPs and 7"s since their inception in 1996 they have established themselves worldwide. However, it was 2006s Pink release that garnered top 10 status on numerous year end lists. In the summer of 2016 they reissued a deluxe edition to commemorate the album’s 10th anniversary and it features an entire album of previously unreleased tracks recorded during the Pink album sessions in 2004-2005. Fortunately you can get a full dose of live Pink on 8/16 when they tour through at Majestic Theater in Madison, WI, with Earth and Shitstorm. borisheavyrocks.com
MORE THAN 7SECONDS
Who knew that starting a hardcore band in the early 80s would lead to a 35+ year songwriting career? Kevin Seconds, leader of the seminal hardcore band 7Seconds, has ridden his angst and anger from explosive to acoustic folk, much to the consternation of the hardcore crowd purists. What strings is he playing at currently? Find out when he and Steve Soto of the Adolescents strut their stuff at Kiki’s House of Righteous Music in Madison, WI on 8/25. www.kevinseconds.org
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 is Constantinople thru 10 is Istanbul
Skydyed - A Quantum Dream
Skydyed
Album title: A Quantum Dream
Record Label: Skydyed Music
Rating: 10
This vibrant Colorado trio draws on rock, funk, and jazz roots to create a diverse and dynamic sound that weaves together organic live drums, bass and guitar with cutting edge electronic production. Delectably dancey and festival friendly this release brings an upwardly element to their play and interplay.
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Skydyed online:
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