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Hailed as a unique world music psychedelic dub/reggae collective from Athens, GA, the group's name suggests a creative peak into their identity. According to vocalist and guitarist James Keane, “The name Dubconscious stems from the words ‘dub’ and ‘subconscious,’ both of which are integral concepts in our collective musical philosophy.” Dub music originated in 1960's Jamaica and is a form of reggae that features reverberation, delay, and sonic effects as elements in it's musical delivery; these effects are then layered over traditional reggae and ska. Dub also refers to the overdubbing of music and sounds on studio tracks. Dubconscious has taken all of those elements, mixed them together with a few ingredients of their own, and is now one of the most highly anticipated world music acts on the national touring circuit today.
Zion I (pronounced “zion eye”) are a hip hop duo from Oakland, California. The duo consists of producer and DJ, AmpLive and emcee Zumbi. The two are highly respected and acclaimed underground artists, famous for Amp's futuristic production techniques, using a mix of live instrumentation and samples, and Zumbi's poetic, positive, and socially conscious lyrics.
The Brew are an aptly named quartet from Amesbury, a town in northeastern Massachusetts, cooking up a musical melting pot on their brand-new, self-released album, Back to the Woods, that combines their roots in classic rock, adding ingredients of prog, jazz, reggae, world beat, indie..., funk and orchestral pop, sometimes in the course of a single song.
Movement of the People :: The Fela Kuti Project 13-piece Afrobeat Experience Movement of the People performs the music and songs of the late Nigerian musician, singer, composer and political activist Fela Kuti. As a pioneer of the popular Afrobeat sound, Fela Kuti is considered to be one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Borrowing its name from Fela's self-created political party, Movement of the People features a diverse collection of Vermont musicians. Under the direction of tenor saxophonist Zach Tonnissen, This ensemble is a virtual who's who of Vermont music with its members hailing from 15 years of Vermont music history and Vermont bands. Movement of the People has taken Vermont by storm. From the ensemble's very first performance in September of 08 they have consistently sold out each show and the venues have been forced to turn people away at the door. Movement of the People approach each show with a dedication to the spirit of Fela's messages of democracy and freedom and commitment to the power and joy within the music. And the audiences know that and feel that.
Soriba Simbo Camara began his traditional African dance training at the age of 5 in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa. Throughout his career he studied with various dance companies in Guinea. Then in 1998 he was invited to join the National Ballet Djoliba where he was a soloist for five years. Simbo was subsequently invited to join the acclaimed National Ballet, Les Ballets Africains de Guinee where he was a principal dancer until 2006. Simbo has the unique distinction of being the only artist from his generation to belong to both of the national ballets.
From 1999 to 2006 Simbo was also the director and choreographer of Ballet Sourakhata de Guinee. Through his work with Sourakhata, Simbo has trained many of the brightest young stars in Guinean dance today. Recognizing the importance of sharing his knowledge with the youth of Guinea, Simbo continues to train dancers there with his own Ballet Simbo de Matam. Simbo is also the founder and director of Africa Djolie, a US based African dance and drum company comprised of artists from Guinea, Senegal and the United States.
Soriba Simbo Camara began his dance training at the age of 5 in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa. As a young boy he observed various ballet rehearsals and upon returning home would practice what he saw. Even as a small child it was evident to his entire neighborhood that Simbo had a special talent for dancing. He was widely respected and appreciated for his intelligence, technique and style. This gave him the courage to pursue dance.
In 1986 Simbo earned a Diploma in Dance from the Movement de Jeune de Dixin. In 2005 Simbo earned another Diploma from the Alliance Guineenne pour le Developpement de la Danse et de la Percussion (A.G.D.P.) for his studies with Sekouba Camara, a former soloist with National Ballet Djoliba and current director of Ballet Commune de Matam. Simbo studied choreography, the meanings, the history and the stories of the various dances from Guinea.
I would describe myself as a musician, focusing on the electronic side of things, but one who loves working with live artists and believes it is crucial to fuse together live and synthesized elements. I don't like genre-whoring and I don't want to be labeled as a DJ or producer that is predictable. I live by the axiom that if something sounds good, I will play it, and if I can make it, I will stand behind it. My past, present, and future influences are to far and wide to be listed here, and some of these I haven't even discovered yet. Musical influence is dynamic; not static in anyway. Maximum respect to those who have, and who will serve as my inspiration.
This eight-piece ensemble blurs the line between meticulous song craft and cohesive improv with their unique blend of afro-percussive rhythms, fiery horn lines, funky dance grooves and soulful vocals. Pinning Bearquarium down to just one genre is difficult, yet each tune has a distinctive sound that feels organic and unforced. In concert, the band fills the room with color and soul, using their songs as vehicles for experimenting with different levels of energy. In studio, this essence is creatively conceived and captured well. Nominated as a top finalist for Magic Hat's Sponsor Your Tour Contest (2009) and recognized as releasing a Most Notable Album of 2009 (Burlington Free Press), Bearquarium stands out as a breath of fresh air amongst your run-of-the-mill funk bands. The group released their debut self-titled album in July 2009, and is currently touring the northeast banging on drums in a town near you.
Funked-up glitch-hop stomp trio 'lespecial' could be described as Les Claypool's bus crashing into J Dilla's studio, as ferocious slap bass collides with an advanced groove-ethic and rhythmic rub not found in your average festival circuit band. These guys have all studied deep into the ritualistic traditions of Afro-Cuban percussion, and this primitive human edge shines brightly through their complex arrangements and boundless improvisations. They prefer to throw guerilla shows and bring their music directly to the people, but can be found everywhere from outdoor music festivals to the downtown NYC experimental jazz scene. They are currently finishing up an album engineered by Alan Evans of "Soulive".
MadMan3 creates sonic pulsations of a juvenescent musical kind to take you on flights of exploratory fancy and full-body dancing abandon. MadMan3 is Phil Carr on drums/percussion and voice, Jofus on the Chapman Stick, and Fred Wilber on keys/electronics and voice. We were 3/4 of Maddub and before that we were the original nucleus of Ken Sleeps Naked. Now, as MadMan3, we are prepared to take you higher!
Bottom line...Vorcza is explosive; a musical evolution at high speed. Their sound marries jazz, funk and world-influenced rhythms into a layered, sultry, and at times lusty sound.
The band features Ray Paczkowski of Trey Anastasio's 70 VOLT PARADE on vocals and keys, Robinson Morse on acoustic and electric bass and Gabriel Jarrett (formerly of Jazz Mandolin Project) on drums.
Vorcza is a collaborative project interested primarily in improvisation. Contained in that word, however, is a great wealth of history, nuance, and potential. From the freely played cadenzas of the classical idiom through the realms of blues and jazz and onward into the age of the “creative” D.J. and electronic musician, improvised music has woven itself into the collective conciousness. You may love to hear Charlie Parker improvise yet shudder to hear Albert Ayler hold forth; Jimi Hendrix's sound may appeal while Jerry Garcia leaves you cold. Certainly all these artists, in part, found their expression through improvisation, yet the boundaries each pushed and the material they chose to explore seem wildly disparate. When you listen closely, you will hear in each a distinctive tension, that beautiful intangible created by instantaneous composition, unique, ephemeral, unforgettable. Improvisation encompasses a vast territory, unlimited in its potential for the creation of that beautiful sound; it is a geography that inspires and thrills this trio.
Events are Objects is a Burlington, VT based band comprised of four members whose sound is shaped from a myriad of influences from a wide range of genres. With their thoughtful, honest, and accessible songwriting, they take their audience with them on a multi-destination musical outing. Their live shows showcase their openness to exploring new territory while keeping their audience engaged and the room moving.
"Pitz Quattrone & The Earthman Band features Didgerdioo/Yidaki-Vocals, Djembe, Bass, Guitar, Fiddle and Drums. The band was started in 2006 by Pitz Quattrone (Didge,Vocals) when he asked Michael Giammusso to join him on Djembe. La...te in 2007, Damien Middelton brought in his funky foundation on Bass. In September of 2008, slide Guitarist extraordinaire, Chris Robertson hopped on board. In 2009, Fiddle meister, Allen Church started sitting in and has become a long term, colorful contributor. Early in 2010, Drum master, Shrimp joined the group. Shrimp's presence has brought the energy of the live show to a whole new level. This is a fun, high-octane, impossible to sit still to, dance band! Audiences work up a serious sweat experiencing Pitz and The Earthman Band. Members are seasoned veterans playing from Boston to Seattle to New York to Philly to Vermont. Past musical ventures range from Funk, Rock, Reggae, Hardcore, Worldbeat, Zydeco, Folk, Blues, Celtic and Country. The closest explanation of Pitz and The Earthman Band's sound, can be loosely described as a combination of Rock, Funk, Worldbeat, Trance-Hop and Jam-Band genres. Coming to a country near you!"
"You'd be hard-pressed to find a harder working act than Vermont's Eames Brothers Band. The Eames' music is rooted in tradition, from sparse delta blues to stinging electric shuffles." "Their original blues tunes are remarkably soulful... The Eames Brothers album "Open Road" was voted one of Vermont's top ten best by Seven Days! ..."These dudes have passion, chops and an abundance of flavor." ..."their moody, dynamic tunes have a vibe all their own."
21 year old Megg Farrell is an emerging songwriter who has played shows to great acclaim in Paris, Dublin, North Carolina, New York and Buenos Aires. Her brand new band the Whiskey Social formed this year as the snow began to melt and is ready to soundtrack spring. They are a Foot-stomping, folk-blues Gypsy party creating jamborees for the ages. Megg Farell's Whiskey Social embodies an energy and a jubilance that can only be described as youth. Whhhiiiisssskkkeeeeyyyyy.
Coba Stella is an original band from Vermont that blends electronically produced beats along with live instrumentation. A mix of electroacoustic and trip hop, Coba Stella's music is unique, upbeat, and full of substance. Drawing on experiences in politics, social work, and community service, lead singer Julie Winn writes insightful lyrics and sings with sincerity and soul. A brilliant fusion of layered sound between the live looping of multi-instrumentalist restlessnative and clever sampling and scratching by Bhatch. Starting to make their mark in Vermont, Coba Stella is an electrifying band that should not be missed.
Gold Town is a bluegrass based outfit out of southern Vermont. Formed in the summer of 2008, the core of the band is Josh Loun on upright bass, William Mosheim on banjo, Andrew Stearns on guitar and vocals, Johnny Davis on mandolin and vocals and Jeremy Sicely on Dobro. The band collaborates with other musicians when it suits them as well.
In 2004, I was a single parent who had just sent my last child off to college. At the urging of my daughters, Jessi and Jonna, and Jessi's partner, Gemery, I began playing the occasional open mic. In Rutland, VT, I discovered the WildWoods Music Co-op, where I met a very sweet, smart and talented fellow named Larry Welton. Unfortunately, we both suffered from acute shyness, and it took the constant prodding and encouragement of our loving families and friends to bring us together for our first date. To use a well-worn cliche, the sparks flew, and pretty soon we were playing music together as Tin Penny--and talking about marriage. Playing a mix of traditional blues, folk, and original music, Tin Penny strives for a balance of familiar tunes with fresh harmonies and original songs composed by Larry and I.
Larry, born in NYC and raised in Vermont, has played guitar, autoharp, and various other musical entities for over 30 years. Living in Brandon, VT until 2007, he is the author of "Tannery Rag" and "Jersey Shore" and has been known to tweak an arrangement or two.
I was born Beth Willenbring and raised in Connecticut, where I wrote my first tune, "Let's Get Together and Have a War," during the Vietnam War era. More recently, I wrote "Elysian's Song" and "M'gaira's Song" for my two oldest grandchildren, and "It'll Have to Do" as an apology of sorts to my darling husband.
Larry and I were married on June 17th of 2007, melding our musical pursuits and personal lives together, for better or worse, as they say. We now live in Manchester, playing about in the backwaters of the Green Mountains.
2K Deep can be best described as a coalition of gang bangin' DJs. Our philosophy is to bring to the floor a variety of electronic dance music. The crew itself consists of an eclectic mix of DJs including but not musically limited to drum and bass, dubstep, house, techno, breaks, electro and many other genres. If you are down with the booty bumpin' bass then you are down with 2K Deep. Collectively we have booked some of the most established and prevalent names in the electronic dance music industry. We have produced successful and sell out events in many cities across the Eastern seaboard such as Miami, FL during the Winter Music Conference; Burlington, VT; as well as Syracuse, Rochester, and New York City, NY. Collectively our DJs have played innumerable times all across the United States and internationally in London, UK.
Tall Grass Get Down (John Freeburn, Noah Young, and Django Koenig) is a culmination of three backcountry boys that look to produce phat acoustic boogies spawned from their self-titled genre: folkalicious. This dirty, junky, funky-folk trio strive to give their audience groovin' thoughts of dancing just a country mile down the road. So come on people now, let us take you out in the tall grass and show you a good time!
Is A Plainfield, VT native, now living in California's San Francisco Bay Area. Jere, who has dabbled with DJ/Production as well as live instruments will be bringing to you a blend of hip/trip hop beats and instrumentals that borderline the electronic realm but leave your mind tantalized and somehow blissfully at ease.
