Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Gomers - Mike Zirkel
GomersMike Zirkel
Label: Beeftone
Beloved hometown Madison quirk-nauts spew forth a beguiling array of witty song spins. From utilizing every town in Wisconsin as lyrical fodder to showcasing such guest musicians as Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp, they delight and frolic in the asinine as well as the sublime.
• The Gomers Website • The Gomers WikiStealin Strings - Waves
Stealin StringsWaves
Label: Hot Dog Records
With a new bassist under their belt, these rising rockin’ bluegrass pompadours are once again making their way through the festival circuit this summer. They were the only band I noticed at Bella Sol that was given the opportunity due to their versatility, depth of sound and song content to play a set on the main stage plus an acoustic set on the tent stage.
• Stealin Strings Website8889 - Zoology
8889Zoology
Label: Self Released
Singer/songwriter styled alt/indie rock from Madison. This follow-up to their MAMA winning debut album finds a well-defined, well-thought through chunk of moody alt music. For my ear candy I prefer a bit more intensity and cleverness.
• 8889 Website- Drown Out The Daylights
Drown Out The Daylights
Label: Crustacean Records
Highlighting the cream of their musical crop, Crustacean Records (Wisconsin’s most prolific and longest lasting punk/indie label) provides us with a double DVD visual vanguard for 10 of their most amazing performers. Over 2 ½ hours long with tons of extras.
• WebsiteCyberchump - Our Wizards Of Earth
CyberchumpOur Wizards Of Earth
Label: Internal Combustion
Two extremely equipped psychedelic musicians from Milwaukee utilize their gaggle of instruments to produce a fascinating albeit quirky electronic soundscape repertoire with rooms and areas to float, groove, slide. A vibrant undercurrent of leading and teasing sound strings tie the listener to the musical affirmations driving the concepts.
• Cyberchump Website • Cyberchump WikiJudgehydrogen - Cult of Blood
JudgehydrogenCult of Blood
Label: Rising Oculus Records
Hair raising atmospheres gurgling with virulent doom struck metal. This macabre one man project, bred in Middleton, WI, produces primal disturbances in the creep-a-dellic frequency spectrum while profanely exercising a deep gothic vocal pleasure. Seriously dark.
• Judgehydrogen WebsiteNatty Nation - Reincarnation
Natty NationReincarnation
Label: iNatty Records
Madison reggae legends blast the Midwest with more of their infectiously buoyant rhythms and hip hoppin’ hybrid temptations. Lyrically mixing Jah philosophy with various related paths of mysticism allows for new spiritual perspectives for which their music may glide on.
• Natty Nation Website • Natty Nation Wiki- Theories of Tension
Theories of Tension
Label: Self Released
A many faceted award winning Madison based metal outfit that throws down some prog rock, math rock and extreme jazz compositions in an aspiring manner. Somehow the recording is loose/rough/thin in a few areas which diminishes the exuberant talent contained here.
• WebsiteTrin-Tran - Grows A Rose
Trin-TranGrows A Rose
Label: Animalman Records
Hyper maniacal one man band and visual spectacle. Very quirky keyboard riffs are spanked by punchy drums and nonsensical lyrics. Not for the faint of heart or the musical purist.
Cribshitter - Cry A Little Rainbow
CribshitterCry A Little Rainbow
Label: Medicated G Records
Wow! 30 tracks of hilarious musical debauchery and mayhem. Madison brews them eclectic and this is right up there. Careening from poppy punk to country then retro electronica plus various other tangents du jour, all with a squinter of a rainbow in their eyes…
James Eisele - Coming Into A New Age
James EiseleComing Into A New Age
Label: Self Released
Sly, cool, and swinging jazz temptations are blown about by the blues guitar backbone this artist is known for. At some points I think I am listening to some forgotten Burl Ives record or something.
• James Eisele WebsiteLa Otra Banda - Cuatro Tunes
La Otra BandaCuatro Tunes
Label: Sanjonero records
A trio of musicians originally from Venezuela, now slowly transplanting to Madison, bring us a teaser of their world beat amalgamation of South American melodies purposely infected with global influences.
• La Otra Banda WebsiteView More
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