by Brian Hillsberg
Kung Fu with Flux Capacitor at Hard Rock Cafe; Thursday, May 23rd
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Who is” Kung Fu” and why does my inbox keep blowing up about this band I’ve never heard of? Wait, Rob from “Deep Banana Blackout”…I used to love them in the late 90s and early 2000s. I realized something had to be special because a new band isn’t just given a festival spot at Gathering of the Vibes, Mountian Jam, Rock N Roll Resort, The Big Up, etc. Well, as it turns out, in November of 2009, when nobody was looking, Tim Palmieri (The Breakfast, guitar), Todd Stoops (RAQ, keyboards), Rob Somerville (Deep Banana Blackout, sax), David Livolsi (Jazz Is Dead, bass) and Adrian Tramontano (The Breakfast, drums) decided to get together and form a band. As stated on their website, “Making fusion music ‘cool’ again, the band draws on influences such as early Headhunters and Weather Report, and merges those ideas with a contemporary EDM informed sensibility.  Imagine 70's funk-fusion meets a modern dance party!” Yes please. I’ll be more than happy to oblige!

While I don’t want to say “funk” music is making a comeback, because it has always been prevalent in my life, there has been an explosion on the scene is the past 10 years. Bands like “Soulive,” “Lettuce,” “Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe,” “The New Mastersounds” and “The Greyboy Allstars” have been throwing down their infectious grooves to swarming crowds as of late. At the same time, you have acts incorporating funk’s legendary predecessors, i.e “Page and The Metermen” or anything involving Maceo Parker. So thank god for bands like “Kung Fu” because I am certainly not ready for this funky momentum to lose traction. We already know everyone loves to dance -cue the current EDM craze- but how about getting down to music and real instruments provided by bands that keep it real and funky? As Tim Palmieri says on behalf of “Kung Fu,” “This music is funky, mature and powerful. It’s lethal funk. It’s music smart and strong enough to defend one’s self, or art’s self. I love this music.” In my own estimation, “Kung Fu’s” brand of music is lethal, contagious, and unrelenting. If you’re looking to lose yourself in the groove, search no further...

Welcome back to our weekly Artist questionnaire series.  Last time we caught up with LTJ Bukem.

I think Juno What?!, a 3-piece powerhouse from Colorado, describes themselves best: "High energy, live electro-funk and disco booty-jams."

Juno What?!  has recently moved over to the Deathwaltz Artist Management collective and we are stoked to have 'em as a part of the team!

The band consists of Joey Porter (keyboards, talk box) from The Motet, Tyrone Hendrix (drums) from Stevie Wonder's touring band, and Steve Watkins (keyboards, bass, talk box, samples). This core group is often augmented by special guests taken from the best of the gigging groups on the scene (including founding member Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic).

They formed in 2008 as an outlet for Joey Porter's organic-meets-electronic dance compositions and since then has released three independent albums (Late Night, Shameless, and Late Night Live). Touring regularly since 2009, JW?! has shared the stage with funk luminaries Soulive, The Ohio Players, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, The Pimps of Joytime, Lettuce, and Bernie Worrell. Juno What?! audiences are treated to a band that appreciates both the classic pedigree of vintage vinyl dance cuts as well as futuristic sternum-bumping anthems.

Look for their fourth album in late 2013!!!  And check out their current tour dates HERE.  Questionnaire below!

The Big Up Music & Arts Festival has unveiled their Phase Three lineup announcement adding fifteen more acts to the festival along with a special Kung Fu Tribute Set to Prince featuring Jans Ingber of The Motet. You can also expect several other surprise guests because "We don't give a damn, We just want to jam, Party up!" One of San Francisco’s most sought after DJs and live performers, AN-TEN-NAE, will bring his signature Acid Crunk compilations to The Big Up stage. Also joining the festivities is the highly versatile trio, Orchard Lounge, who has enlightened dance floors from Mexico to Maine with their eclectic mixes, from sunset chill-out to bass-dropping e-funk, and an array of other futuristic sounds. Philly based EDM producer Space Jesus will introduce festivalgoers to his live band where he manipulates Clay Parnell’s (Brothers Past) bass line, layering it over his psychedelic, bass-fueled, Hip Hop-laced tracks, set to the beat of a live drummer.

Featuring a perfect blend of national touring acts and regional up-and-coming talent, the lineup is rounded out by IMANGELES, Elephant Wrecking Ball, Jahman Brahman, Dynamo and Badnutbeats, Izahead, I Yahn I Arkestra, Operation Dankstar, Jammin Toast, Baam Bada, People's Blues of Richmond and The Untz Challenge Winners, Beat Machine and Lost Optical.

Taking place August 8th – 10th at Hemlock Hallow Farm in Claverack, NY. These artists join Beats Antique, Holy Fuck, GAUDI, Escort, the world premiere of Abakus live band, a DJ set from Chris Keating of Yeasayer, Nerve, The Egg, host band Higher Organix, Dopapod, Brothers Past, DrFameus and more.

Writer Credit:  Brian Hillsberg

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In 1989, Warren Haynes and Allen Woody were recruited to become full time members of the Allman Brothers Band. During breaks in 1994, Haynes and Woody, along with Matt Abts, a drummer whom Haynes had played with while part of Dickey Betts’ band, decided to form a band based on their mutual love and admiration for 1960s rock trios. At a somewhat tumultuous time in the legacy of the Allman Brothers, the three decided to invest more time in their new endeavor. On the heels of multiple successful albums, a non-stop touring schedule and industry recognition for their collective talents, the band felt poised to take off before Allen Woody’s untimely passing in August of 2000. While I unfortunately never got to see Allen Woody, his playing is hailed as legendary by the bass playing community. So heavily recognized for his craft, not to mention personal character, that his death led to two star filled tribute albums, “The Deep End: Vol. 1 & 2,” in addition to the Mike Gordon directed “Rising Low,” a documentary chronicling the legendary bass players paying tribute -- Jack Bruce (Cream), John Entwistle (The Who), Les Claypool, Flea, Chris Squire (Yes), Phil Lesh, Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone), Bootsy Collins (James Brown, Parliament), Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane), Billy Cox (Jimmy Hendrix Experience), etc.

DFA Records has released the second single from Holy Ghost!'s upcoming album Dynamics.  9 minutes of groovy disco.  The first single "It Gets Dark" was released last October.  Listen to that below as well.

Check out our Artist Questionnaire series featuring Orchard Lounge HERE

LCD Soundsystem may have seen their last days, but founder James Murphy's career is still alive and kicking.  With the rise of LCD Soundsystem, Murphy also founded the label DFA Records in 2001; 2013 will mark 12 years of palpable influence on the dance music culture.  DFA has helped define the sound for hip urbanites for more than a decade, "making indie kids dance again" along the way.  To celebrate the culmination of this influence, Red Bull Music Academy has put together a 13-minute short film including appearances by label-mates The Rapture, Yacht, Holy Ghost!, The Juan McClean and more. 

And the most exciting part of all this--nearly everyone involved in the DFA label over the past 12 years will perform at Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn, NY over Memorial Day weekend.  That's right: James Murphy, The Rapture DJs, Black Dice, Juan Maclean, Pat Mahoney, The Crystal Ark, YACHT, Sh*t Robot, Planningtorock, Prinzhorn Dance School, Still Going, Nancy Whang, Tim Sweeney, Larry Gus, Dan Bodan, Marcus Marr and more will all perform at the massive multiple room event.

The event sold out in about 12 hours...were you lucky enough to grab tickets?  Watch the short film below...

Welcome back to our weekly Artist questionnaire series.  Last time we caught up with Lotus.

LTJ Bukem, aka Danny Williamson, is a name that has been closely associated with drum and bass and electronic music for over 20 years.  A classically trained pianist and a long-time Jazz aficionado, Bukem's brand of drum and bass is stylistically more atmospheric and jazzy than many other DnB artists of his time.   Bukem's rise to fame coincided with the emergence of the rave culture in the early 90's, and many consider him an innovator in the DnB genre.  He provided a platform for a more accessible form of  DnB; drawing influences from melodic & ambient jazz-fusion based music of the 70's and 80's.  Bukem's DnB was refreshing in that it was a deviation from the progressively "darker" jungle style popularized in the early-mid 90's.  His creative approach garnered much acclaim worldwide, and many consider his influence to be the impetus behind the popularization of hardcore music in the UK in the 90's.

LTJ Bukem continues to tour today and his music still retains a timeless and emotive quality while most jungle DnB artists of his time have faded into relative obscurity with the decline in popularity of the genre in recent years.  Philadelphia is so fortunate to have LTJ performing live at The Blockley this Thursday, 5/9/13. (TICKETS | INFO).  He will be joined by Deathwaltz artist Damn Right! & Grimace Federation, who will be performing heavy DnB influenced sets for the occasion.  Also, Clayton The Chemist is on the bill too, as well as local Philly hero, Rob Paine, who will be performing a special late night set until 3:30am!  See you tomorrow (Thursday) Philly!

On April 26th David Sagluski, better known as The Polish Ambassador, brought the funk with his visual master and partner in crime, Liminus, to Philly’s own Trocadero. Dressed from head to toe in what can only be described as ski treasures from the eighties, their tinted goggles and swishy jumpsuits brought just as big of a smile to fan’s faces as the music did. The dynamic duo is no stranger to Philly, and said they “felt right at home” after being welcomed to the stage by the uproar of an eager crowd at the start of the set.

Supported by the low-tempo hip hop master Blockhead, and Philly’s own Binary Bits and F.L.O.T.E., The Polish Ambassador had a strong base to build from, and sent fans on an even further musical journey by debuting numerous unreleased tracks as well as most of the much anticipated new album “Ecozoic”. Along with the hype of the new album, came a big interest in the new visual display accompanying him on tour. Both pioneered and delivered by Liminus, also known as Ari Makridakis, the waves of vibrant colors and patterns went tit for tat with the Ambassador, matching his every musical move.

Catch The Polish Ambassador alongside big names like Pretty Lights and STS9 this summer at festivals such as Wakarusa and Electric Forest. And don’t forget! All of his music is available for FREE online at www.thepolishambassador.bandcamp.com

Writer Credit: Ashleigh Wendell
Photo Credit: Brendan Zoltowski

Welcome back to our weekly Artist questionnaire series.  Last time we caught up with Orchard Lounge.

Lotus has been at the top of the live electronic scene for 10+ years now.  Due to an unparalleled work ethic and a feverish live show, this 5-piece from humble beginnings in Goshen, Indiana has steadily moved from small clubs to premier venues all across the country.

Garnering support via a relentless touring schedule, Lotus has found themselves one of the most loyal fanbases around.  As their fanbase has grown larger, Lotus' desire to continually evolve and transform their sound has eliminated any notion of complacency surrounding their music; the band always finds new ways to express themselves, and thus, the fans keep coming back for more, knowing that each live experience will differ from the last.

Like their boundary-stretching live performances, each Lotus studio album seems to build on the last while still maintaining an accuracy, tightness and organic feel Lotus fans have come to expect.  Their most recent studio effort, aptly named Build, could be their best sounding album yet.  Released on February 19th, Build's sound is a manifestation of the largeness that is Lotus in 2013, whether it be on the road or in the studio, Lotus is always prepared to take their music and their fans on a bigger, ever-changing musical journey.  Lotus is writing/or has written so much new material over the last couple years, expect them to follow-up Build with another solid studio effort (or two) shortly!