Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Pop
Michael Franti and Spearhead - All People

Michael Franti and Spearhead - All People

Michael Franti and Spearhead
All People
Label: Universal

Celebrating the beauty of diversity through peaceful, loving melodies and lyrics is a trademark of Franti and crew. Now, 8 studio albums in, Franti has still managed to cling to the peace-loving, socially active principals that propelled him to this point. Supremely danceable grooves and compelling anthemic pop delights will again and again have you on your feet and shaking your wild thang. See them on 9/25 at the Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI. 

Michael Franti and Spearhead WebsiteMichael Franti and Spearhead FacebookMichael Franti and Spearhead Wiki

Tal National - Kaani

Tal National - Kaani

Tal National
Kaani
Label: FatCat

Before becoming the national treasure and pop phenomenon of the West African country of Niger, Tal National honed their craft for 6 long years before recording their first release. Known for their playing all-night-long shows five nights a week in their native country, the band rose to huge success and are in high demand.

Kaani, their first international release, is sung all in Zarma, Haossa (Niger’s main languages), and French. It is a non-stop flurry of Afropop with dancing guitar melodies combined with traditional regional inflections and percussion plus touches of desert blues and soukous that deftly combines the traditional with the modern. Their first international tour stops on 9/21 in Milwaukee, WI at Global Union Festival: Humbolt Park Bandshell.

Tal National WebsiteTal National Facebook

Wildlight - The Tide

Wildlight - The Tide

Wildlight
The Tide
Label: Jumpsuit Records

Few releases have the magic that is found within the delicate interplay between the combined efforts of Ayla Nereo and David Sugalski (The Polish Ambassador).  You will find your mind dancing effortlessly on the dreamy floating folky vocals of Nereo while Sugalski pushes polished downtempo beats into your consciousness. Simple yet breathtaking.

Wildlight WebsiteWildlight Facebook

Kishi Bashi - String Quartet Live!

Kishi Bashi - String Quartet Live!

Kishi Bashi
String Quartet Live!
Label: Joyful Noise Recordings

Violin virtuoso, singer, and composer Kishi Bashi (aka K Ishibashi) soars to amazing heights fueled by the glorious foundation of an accompanying string ensemble that allow him to reimagine his award winning and critically acclaimed first two releases, 151a and Lighght through an orchestral pop lens. Through his experimental and unconventional song writing skills as well as his soaring voice, he has spilled his talent into ever more imaginative and rewarding compositional endeavors.

Kishi Bashi WebsiteKishi Bashi FacebookKishi Bashi Wiki

Kai Altair - Shapeshifter: Dreamwalker Remixes

Kai Altair - Shapeshifter: Dreamwalker Remixes

Kai Altair
Shapeshifter: Dreamwalker Remixes
Label: Kai Altair

Hailed as a ‘Modern Day Mermaid’, Kai Altair’s music is an ode to the ancient with futuristic flourishes and poppy etheric vocals. Featuring some of today’s top electronic high consciousness dj/producers (Desert Dwellers, Govinda, David Starfire, Kaminanda), and boasting a cover by Mugwort, this remix release is set to expound her wonders to a whole new audience in a whole new way.

Kai Altair WebsiteKai Altair FacebookKai Altair Wiki

Evanescence - Synthesis

Evanescence - Synthesis

Evanescence
Synthesis
Label: BMG

Focusing on orchestra and electronica, Synthesis revamps and recomposes the groups top hits, plus 2 new songs, into a full symphonic experience. The amazing Amy Lee is the conductor and focal point of this touring extravaganza, playing piano and singing her heart and soul into this highly acclaimed and award winning music. A grandiose occurrence!
Appearing on 12/5 at Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI.

Evanescence WebsiteEvanescence FacebookEvanescence Wiki

Datsik - Master of Shadows

Datsik - Master of Shadows

Datsik
Master of Shadows
Label: Firepower Records

Ninja dubstep DJ and producer Datsik is back on the attack with a fast punching EP set to take the scene by storm!  This high velocity release features collaborations with Excision, Dion Timmer, Virtual Riot, Ganja White Night and J Phelpz, so there is a lot of range and diversity within the spotlight. A great way to set your spring on fire! (9) Don your kimono and come experience his Ninja Nation tour on 3/13 at Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI with Space Jesus, Riot Ten and Carbin.

Datsik WebsiteDatsik FacebookDatsik Wiki

MITIS - ‘Till The End

MITIS - ‘Till The End

MITIS
‘Till The End
Label: Seeking Blue Records

After MitiS’ hard drive crashed without a backup 6 months or so ago, he was forced to redo most of what would become “Till The End. Rather than be defeated, this catalyst gave him the drive and desire to create one of the most amazing EDM releases of the year to date! His resulting approach has lots of attention to details woven into a timeless tapestry of melodic electronica. Additionally, he ups that anti by adding vocalists Gioto, Adara, Tedy, Lauren Hunter, PartyNails, and PRXZM to his mixes. Bravo!

MITIS WebsiteMITIS FacebookMITIS Wiki

The Sword - Used Future

The Sword - Used Future

The Sword
Used Future
Label: Razor & Tie

What began as groovy galloping guitar driven stoner rock has taken nods towards classic heavy rock and added bluesy brambles to their vintage mileage as this Austin, TX band rides across endless highways headed towards often psychedelic horizons with a used future destination.

The The Sword WebsiteThe The Sword Facebook

Yellow Claw - New Blood

Yellow Claw - New Blood

Yellow Claw
New Blood
Label: Barong Family

Thanks to their famed bass-heavy productions and riotous performances, this Dutch producer/DJ duo known as Yellow Claw (Jim Taihuttu and Nils Rondhuis) have moved to headlining festivals around the world this year. Released on their own Barong Family label, this 14 track release offers a full musical palette ranging from hip hop blasters to frenzied anthemic ragers to moody downtempo offerings, all with special guests. Although bouncing all around the world, you can catch em live on 9/2 at North Coast Music Festival in Chicago, IL

Yellow Claw Facebook

Opiuo - Opiuo X Syzygy Orchestra Live at Red Rocks

Opiuo - Opiuo X Syzygy Orchestra Live at Red Rocks

Opiuo
Opiuo X Syzygy Orchestra Live at Red Rocks
Label: Slurp Music

I am not aware of any other electronic musicians that have added a live orchestra to their future funk compositions, but that is exactly what the New Zealand DJ known as Opiuo did at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater on 4/21/18, and results were/are amazing! Re-Interpreting and then respinning his songs so they blossomed into 7 wonderful movements that conjoined with the 20 piece Syzygy Orchestra is unique, invigorating and inspiring to hear and behold! Lucky for you he is performing a solo DJ set at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI 10/18 with Sodown

Opiuo WebsiteOpiuo Facebook

Papadosio - Content Coma

Papadosio - Content Coma

Papadosio
Content Coma
Label: Self Released

This Asheville, NC band offered forth 30 ideas were coalesced utilizing an online collaborative platform (Spice) into what would become the diverse 12 track content of this musical commentary about our dependence on technology.  Recording in a professional recording studio created high quality production while spotlighting the talents of each individual musician, whether they spin tales of mellow psychedelia, indie psych rock, ambient instrumental jams or poignant pokes and jibes. Catch Papadosio at the Majestic Theatre on 11/3 with Evanoff

Papadosio WebsitePapadosio Facebook

View More

Viewing Page 3 - of 5

 < 1 2 3 4 5 >