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The Contribution: w/ members of SCI, Railroad, New Monsoon

November 30th, 2009 | No Comments

FIRST TASTE OF FAB NEW COLLABORATION COMING IN 2010

The Contribution is a simmering, high-end musical conglomerate comprised of Railroad Earth‘s Tim Carbone (violin, vocals), New Monsoon‘s Jeff Miller (guitar, vocals) and Phil Ferlino (keys, vocals), and String Cheese Incident‘s Keith Mosely (bass, vocals) and Jason Hann (drums). A different hue than these very gifted cats have shown in their respective careers, The Contribution’s debut, Which Way World, arrives in early 2010, and there are plans to play select live dates as their busy schedules allow.

In the meantime, The Contribution has released a video for their fantastic lead-off cut, “Come Around,” which shows some serious chemistry as they work away in the studio.

Kyle Hollingsworth: Then There’s Now

November 12th, 2009 | No Comments

By: Andrew Bruss

Kyle Hollingsworth by Tobin Voggesser

It’s been two years and counting since The String Cheese Incident went on hiatus, and in that time, its members have taken to the road, as well as the recording studio. But keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth has taken it easy. He’s toured with The Kyle Hollingsworth Band, but for the most part, starting a family seems to have taken priority over launching an intensive solo career.

Then There’s Now (released September 15 on SCI Fidelity) is Hollingsworth’s second solo record and his first since SCI went on hiatus. From start to finish, Hollingsworth’s latest studio effort provides the listener with a snapshot into the mind of an artist mid-transition. Although reunion rumors are running rampant following SCI’s headlining performance at Rothbury, this past summer, JamBase spoke with Hollingsworth the day after his album’s release, and rather than talk about The Cheese, Hollingsworth went to great depths to discuss his new outlook on life, namely living in the now.

JamBase: The press release I got from your publicist says you’ve been “more prolific than ever.” Does not having bandmates with opposing artistic ideas make it easier for you to produce studio material? Are you more productive as a solo artist?

Kyle Hollingsworth: That’s a good question, but not necessarily. In some ways it’s harder not having as many people to bounce ideas off of. What’s happened in the last year or two, well, first of all, I became a dad. There are always big changes in life that inspire me to be more creative and write in some way. Also, I’ve been writing and playing with Speech from Arrested Development. Speech, DJ Logic, and I had a project where we’d been throwing ideas around. So, the new album is the way it is because of the influences I’ve had over the last couple of years.

JamBase: That being said, do you feel like you’re more productive with opposing viewpoints and ideas? It seems as though you – as you said – like having people to bounce ideas off of, so is it fair to assume you don’t want a band of hired guns that do what they’re told?

Kyle Hollingsworth by Dave Flieshman

Hollingsworth: Exactly. This first tour I did I was letting my band know that it wasn’t a hired gun situation. The guys I had on the road, and who played on the album, they already had a vested interest in performing the songs well and working on the arrangements and making the production come across well. So, what you do is try and find a way to ensure they get something out of it as well, so it isn’t a hired gun situation. Whether it’s the arrangement of tunes or the solo opportunities, I agree that it’s important to have a band of four or five people, versus four separate musicians onstage.

In the age of iTunes, do you think people will appreciate Then There’s Now as a whole, or are people going to skip around? And on the other side of that coin, do they have to appreciate the album as a whole or can they skip around?

Every album I make is very thoughtfully produced, and the song order is thought about for months, and changes. I want to make an album as a form of art. I’m not interested in making single songs. I’m always going to make albums that flow from start to finish. It’s up to the listener if they’re going to jump around.

Do you think String Cheese fans will dig this album? And if you aren’t into String Cheese, is Then There’s Now something you can sink your teeth into?

Definitely. It’s a very accessible CD. That being said, I think String Cheese people will like it. It’s got a Kyle-signature sound. One song might have a little bit of jamming going on, and even the vocal oriented tunes run from hip hop to Afrobeat to funk. So it’s got all the genres in there that you’d recognize on a String Cheese album, and hopefully the new fans that are hearing it for the first time will dig it. I think it’s accessible to everybody.

I know you and Mickey Hart of The Dead performed at the Democratic National Convention last summer. With art imitating life, do you feel like the current artistic climate is reflective of what’s been going on with two wars, the first black president, and everything else that’s been making headlines? Or do you feel it’s been bland and not an accurate representation of the world we’re in right now?

Kyle Hollingsworth

I do think musicians are influenced by the world around us, and I think it’s been that way for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. So, whether it’s musically or lyrically, artists definitely reflect the times.

Everyone experiences life in their own way and sees the world differently. What does Then There’s Now reflect? Does it represent your take on the world?

It comes down to the name, Then There’s Now. The title, for me, defines the album. It has multiple meanings. It’s a joke, because, then there’s now: Post-String Cheese. What the hell am I doing? And this is where I am right now. And then there’s the spiritual, “Then There’s Now.” This is the moment I’m in right now. It’s about me trying to be in the moment. My new life experiences have made me want to be, and relish, the time that exists right now, every moment and every day. It’s kind of cliche, but that’s what happens when you become a dad [laughs]. Lyrically, with everything I’m doing on the album, there’s an ark, from a pedestrian’s view of the freaks on the sidewalk, to an end with a super introspective song. So, there’s a theme running through the whole idea of living in the moment.

Continue reading for more on Kyle Hollingsworth…

How has being a father changed the way you express yourself as an artist?

I tend to be a lot more tired when I’m trying to be creative [laughs]. But seriously, I sort of touched on this in the last answer. The fact that I think I’m living more in the moment, and there’s this whole other life in my family, it makes me feel more complete… as a unit.

When you say living in the moment, that’s opposed to the hustle and bustle of being on tour or what?

Kyle Hollingsworth by George Weiss

For me what it means is sometimes I might be thinking, “What am I doing next week? What am I doing after that?” or, “What I did last week really sucked. I should have done that better.” People spend most of their time living in where you were or where you’re going to be and less literally where you are at that moment. And you’re only in the present for one moment. That’s what I’m talking about.

String Cheese played its last show before the hiatus a few summers back at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (read the review here), but then you guys played a headlining set at Rothbury this summer (read the Rothbury review here). What is the current status of The String Cheese Incident?

We played Rothbury this summer and that was sort of a test run to see if we could all hang out together again and it went really well. We had a month of rehearsal beforehand, all the way through into Rothbury, and we’re all super-psyched. We haven’t made any decisions yet. We’re kind of playing it by ear, but we’re feeling good about where we are.

Editor’s Note: Since this interview, SCI’s Michael Travis confirmed plans for the band to play shows in 2010. You can read more here.

Understanding that no decisions have been made, if you had to analyze the vibe, would you say your bandmates are interested in getting back on the horse?

Kyle Hollingsworth by George Weiss

I’d say we’re all moving in that direction. I can’t say when, but we’re moving in that direction.

I’m sure a lot of practice went into…

Hollingsworth: …into one two-hour set.

Exactly. But seeing as that practice seemed to be a test as to whether or not you guys could hang out comfortably, is that to say you guys were getting sick of each other before the hiatus?

I think it’s fair to say every band that plays together for 14 years needs a break from their bandmates. Whatever. It’s like being married to four different people, trying to make it all work.

But it seems like the break has done what it needs to do.

Absolutely. It’s been super-healthy

What would you want listeners to know about Then There’s Now before they went and picked it up at a record store?

Well, to go in, if you’re a String Cheese fan, go in with open ears and an open mind and know you’ll get a lot more than you expected. For a new fan, again, go in with open ears, and expect the unexpected. Each song could change; a funk tune could be followed by a hip hop tune, followed by an Afrobeat tune, so jump in with both feet.

What would you want people to know about Kyle Hollingsworth the performer before they went out and purchased a concert ticket?

Kyle Hollingsworth by Tobin Voggesser

Live performance for me is beyond what you hear on a CD. The CD is in the now, and on Then There’s Now that’s what you’ll hear on the CD. But as for a live performance, what’s more important for me is to take risks. You’ll hear an expansion on what you hear on the CD. I try to jump off the cliff more and see what happens. I experiment onstage. I’ve got such great musicians with me, I feel like we can go anywhere, anytime. We can call out songs midway through a jam and find our way there. We can go in and out of different genres. So, expect a special treat from the live performance.

So, is it fair to say that if a listener is looking to get the definitive Kyle Hollingsworth Experience, it’s live, not on a CD?

If you want the full experience, come to a concert. But if you liked my last disc, you’ll like this one.

Is there anything you’d want JamBase readers to know about the world of Kyle Hollingsworth that we haven’t discussed?

Sure, I’d like to talk for two seconds about my home brewing. I make my own beer. I’m doing this tour where I try to incorporate my love of beer with music. I’m not making Coors or Budweiser. I’m trying to go across the country to microbreweries and do special shows along the way. So, you could come to a sound check and taste some local beers. I started the whole thing with a brewery called Mountain Sun. I brewed a beer with the head brewer called Hoppingsworth IPA, and we were able to make it, and we just released it at the Fox Theatre at the CD release party. So, people got to drink my beer while catching my show.

That’s the definitive Kyle Hollingsworth Experience right there.

[Laughs] Exactly. Hoppingsworth will be available at all the pubs, and hopefully we can keep it coming.

Kyle Hollingsworth just began the second leg of a major tour; dates available here.

JamBase | Present
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Emmitt-Nershi Band | 10.22 | S.F.

November 9th, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Justin Gillett

Emmitt-Nershi Band & Assembly of Dust:: 10.22.09 :: The Independent :: San Francisco, CA

Bill Nershi & Drew Emmitt by Bubba Jackson

Helmed by two of the biggest names of the jam scene, the Emmitt-Nershi Band has managed to carve an impressive reputation for itself over the past three years as a premier alt-grass outfit with a defined sound and consistent touring schedule. The band’s no nonsense shows feature Drew Emmitt (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Bill Nershi (guitar, vocals), Tyler Grant (bass), and Andy Thorn (banjo) playing a swath of folksy Americana bluegrass that harkens back to simpler times when people didn’t need electricity to play, hear, or dance to music.

With Emmitt and Nershi being pivotal entities in two of the largest bands to emerge from the ’90s jam haze (Emmitt with Leftover Salmon and Nershi with The String Cheese Incident), one might assume that an Emmitt-Nershi Band show could be a breeding ground for musical wankery and self-indulgent solos. But the straightforward approach to making music that was on display during the band’s show at The Independent was a departure from the noodle-happy, slightly farcical shows of String Cheese and Leftover Salmon. With Emmitt-Nershi Band, both musicians seem perfectly at home playing humble tunes at intimate venues where the music can speak for itself.

Opening up the show was Assembly of Dust. While the New York-based foursome has been gaining momentum on their native soil, their sound has not quite led the group to a dedicated following on the West Coast. Even though the band has been performing since 2002, they still seem slightly unsure of themselves and not as confident as they should be. Not to say that the band isn’t good or talented – lead guitarist Adam Terrell had some amazing solos and Reid Genauer is one heck of a songwriter – but one gets the sense that this band may sadly never amount to their full potential. AoD’s songs are at times a bit too organized around a predictable pop format, and there really is no special quality or commanding stage presence that raises this band above other talented acts out there.

Emmitt & Nershi by Polly Gray

When all four members of Emmitt-Nershi Band came out to play a few songs with Assembly of Dust, though, it definitely made the set more interesting, both audibly and visually. As the eight musicians onstage traded solos, it was Nershi and Emmitt who were focal points, not members of Assembly of Dust. Nershi was in complete control of the stage as he took an acoustic guitar run, and the same could be said for Emmitt when he tore into the mandolin.

After a short set break, the four members of Emmitt-Nershi Band reemerged and lurched into an extremely soulful set that highlighted each musician’s strength as a performer. During the band’s first few songs, Emmitt’s haunting, backwoods-y croon stuck out as a driving force that the band frequently fell back on for support. While vocal duties were shared between all the musicians, it was Emmitt, in particular, who sang without restraint and almost led him to act as the leader of the group. When Nershi sang it was pleasing but it lacked a serious resonance that Emmitt’s forthright vocals possessed.

As the set progressed, Grant’s distinctive bass playing managed to add layers of originality to the band’s sound. Using an electric hollow body bass as if it were an upright, Grant propelled and motivated the rootsy bluegrass sound the other three musicians were intent on creating. Having won the National Flatpicking Championship in 2008, it could seem an odd choice to select Grant to play bass in this band, but it works and his understanding of what should be played on the bass is clearly a good fit for this outfit.

Fans of String Cheese were pleased as the band cranked out bluegrass versions of “Texas” and “Restless Wind.” These songs, while clearly more attuned to how Nershi originally envisioned them, lacked any prevalent backbone. This could be said about the first half of the band’s set as a whole; there wasn’t a consistent beat that almost seems necessary for any band to structure itself on. Picking up on this lack of forceful rhythm, almost clairvoyantly, Nershi invited Andy Herrick, the drummer from Assembly of Dust, out to finish up the remainder of the set. The percussion infusion was exactly what was needed to make the music more dynamic and danceable.

Emmitt-Nershi Band by Polly Gray

Having just released a new album, New Country Blues (released September 29 on SCI Fidelity Records), much of what the band played was understandably off the fresh studio LP. These songs seemed to epitomize Emmitt-Nershi Band. They’re uncompromising and rarely predictable. When playing tracks off New Country Blues, Nershi sported a huge smile that could be seen through his thick, white beard. Other members were also visibly giddy, and this communal glee helped articulate the music and make it more amiable.

For the encore all the members of Assembly of Dust were invited back for a rendering of the traditional “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad.” Almost everyone was sharing a microphone, which helped heighten the mutual musical creation and add to the overall cooperation between the artists. Solos were passed around and every musician – especially Emmitt, who was playing a fiddle – stepped up to the plate and delivered a strong finale.

Emmitt-Nershi Band tour dates available here.

JamBase | Twangin’
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Cosmic Consciousness | 10.17 | Denver

October 29th, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Nick Boeka | Images by: Chad Fahnestock

Cosmic Consciousness :: 10.17.09 :: City Hall :: Denver, CO

The sacred space of the lens is in which you view God
But also how God views you. -Alex Grey

Cosmic Consciousness :: 10.17 :: Denver

The works of visionary and psychedelic artists like Robert Venosa, Alex and Allyson Grey are nothing new to many music fans. From Tool to The String Cheese Incident, Alex Grey has provided album covers and posters which inspire people to discover their own reality and seek that iconic transcendental state of being that is depicted in so many of Grey’s works. Often though, lost in the translation from brush to print and distribution is the intention behind the art; the story behind the images, and the memories behind the actions.

On a special evening in Denver, the CoSMos collided for what began first as an intimate passing of knowledge from Grey on his pivotal works, a fashion show with Goodie, and meet & greet with the Greys, then into a non-stop dance party until morning. Todd Smith, owner of Boogie Down Productions said, “My vision for Cosmic Consciousness was to fuse together visionary elements of art, theater, music, and fashion to create a unique experience that each person could walk away from radiating.” Those who attended left radiating wildly, vibrating together on a universal plane of oneness.

Hosted at City Hall and 2 AM, Denver’s newest multi-functional events space, the sold out Cosmic Consciousness featured three floors of art and music installations with over 12 artists live painting, including the Greys, J-Garcia, MARS-1, and Michael Garfield on the main floor. Add aerial dancers, a multitude of vendors, and a dual level outdoor amphitheater featuring fire dancing, and the event came off as more of an urban festival than a show. Where the venue normally has a warm ex-textile factory look, with red brick, concrete and exposed wood beams, on this evening pieces of incredible art, video wall projections, and sculpted lighting took center stage to invite visitors to escape from the bustling city and unify to celebrate incredible talent.

Alex & Allyson Grey :: 10.17

Beginning at 8 p.m., an early crowd of nearly a thousand listened to Alex Grey give a sit-down presentation on his evolution as an artist. Introduced by his wife Allyson, who shares an extremely visual and palatable connection with Alex, he provided a revealing profile that was more “True (Hippy) Hollywood Story” than PowerPoint presentation. Grey guided us through very personal photos from his early, uh, performances. He openly discussed his experiences with the mind enlightening chemical LSD and the influences it had on his early obsessions with polarity and the dominance it has as a theme throughout his work. He invited us all to the family’s land to visit the Chapel of the Sacred Mirrors, a sanctuary of art and love. Grey’s voice put the large, close-quartered crowd at ease for over an hour, and everyone gave their utmost attention, focusing and some straining to hear every word that was spoken by a knowledgeable yet very personable being.

At the end, Allyson offered her thanks for being a part of the event, then said, “Now we’re going to paint!” with an eagerness that embodied the spirit of the night. The addition of massive banner sized versions of many of Grey’s most famous works, like “Theologue,” “Painting,” and “Cosmic Christ,” which was combined with multicolor LED lights on a DJ driven pulse, had a steady gathering of 40-50 people getting weird nearby, all transfixed every time I walked by the installation.

The music lineup alone, featuring the hottest DJs to get people swerving, would have drawn a sizable crowd on a busy night in Denver. By the first sets thrown, the 3,000 capacity space was packed and every act played host to a dance party. Upstairs and downstairs for hours, fans heard the boom-bips and wobbles from Shen and Kilowatts, Emancipator, EPROM, and Heyoka, who each immediately brought their A-game. Shen’s work transcended the level he had achieved with his Moonshadow Beats release, and fans of Bluetech that haven’t caught on yet better pay attention. Kilowatts and Emancipator both took their heavy beats and stimulated the room with crisp high range melodies that cut through the air. Watching Emancipator is a bit more fun than your typical DJ set, as he incorporates live guitar playing. Speaking with him later, he mentioned an upcoming collaboration that will feature more live instrumentation.

Big Gigantic :: 10.17 :: Denver

Speaking of instrumentation, Boulder’s Big Gigantic stole the show with the evening’s most captivating set. Dominic Lalli (sax) and Jeremy Salken (drums) tore through many of the tracks off of their latest album, Wide Awake. Live “Light of Day” incorporates more Lalli sax work, as he blazes the main lines and opens up the middle section. Definitely the hometown favorites, their sound continues to grow as the two find their place in the hyphy scene. As the evening picked up intensity, both EPROM and Heyoka delivered dirty track after track, like a grease-garage working the late shift, and had the capacity crowd dripping sweat and begging for more as the last beats echoed through City Hall’s sound system.

Catering to the late night crowd, the after party began in the same building’s basement space, Club 2 AM, and immediately flew off the hook with CrowdRock taking people by storm with their acid crunk, powered by intense bass, the type that vibrates you and sends your body into a frenzy as you beat match to the groove. San Fran favorites Mimosa and An-Ten-Nae also reminded Rocky Mountain fans what sounds are being produced on the Left Coast.

Looking around, people’s eyes showed the wear and tear that dancing for so many hours produces, and yet everyone was driven to stay up and witness the talent of these two artists. Mimosa’s latest, Flux for Life, catalogs the noises and beats of S.F. and NorCal, and rang through Denver until after four in the morning. The evening ended, but for many the memory of the experience is still resonating and this writer in particular was glowing for days after the experience and meeting the Greys. The event was truly special, and we have to hope it wasn’t just a one-off event.

Continue reading for more images of Cosmic Consciousness…





J-Garcia
Kilowatts
Shen
Lecture

JamBase | Awakened
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Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest

October 6th, 2009 | No Comments

BÃ‰LA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES, DR. DOG, EMMITT-NERSHI BAND

GATHER FOR CHARITABLE CHICAGO BLUEGRASS & BLUES FEST / 1 DAY, 25 BANDS, $35

“The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival will prove to be the next great landmark in Chicago music culture.” – Herschel Concepcion, JamBase.com

Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival 2008 by Sands

The Congress Theater, in conjunction with Chicago independents Kingtello Presents, is proud to announce the second coming of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival. While rooted in the foot-stomping influences of bluegrass and blues, the festival will transport the concertgoer through the genre-defying evolution of music today. The all-ages one-day event, held on Saturday, December 12 from 11 a.m. to midnight, will serve as a tribute to two schools of music that continue to shape and inspire contemporary rock, jam, funk, folk, roots, Americana, and indie cultures.

Against the backdrop of an official Chicago landmark and one of the last of the classic “movie palaces,” fans will be treated to a party with a purpose, featuring 3 stages and 25 bands for less than the typical price of the headliners alone. Six-time Grammy-winner Bela Fleck and his Flecktones will unite for their first Chicago date together since mid-2007, as Bela has been devoting extended stints to the likes of the Sparrow Quartet, The Africa Project, Edgar Meyer, and Zakir Hussain.

They’ll be joined by Philadelphia’s psych-folk harmonizers, Dr. Dog, who’ve rapidly ascended the public consciousness this year with breakout performances at both Coachella and Camp Bisco. The Emmitt-Nershi Band, uniting Leftover Salmon’s mandolin and vocals (Drew Emmitt) with the songwriting and flat-picking guitar of The String Cheese Incident (Billy Nershi), joins the party as well. And Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater, proudly declared “Chicago’s premier blues entertainer” by the Chicago Tribune, will properly represent the scene that put his city on the international music map.

Tickets are onsale for $35 through the event’s website, Ticketmaster.com, and clubtix.net.

The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival will offer a musical reprieve from the merciless Chicago Winter by adapting elements of a summer music festival to the historic and intimate indoor setting. In addition to 13 hours of 3 stages worth of nonstop music, the day’s activities will also include a pickin’ circle, a live-art exhibition and indoor gallery, charitable raffles, film screenings, the original Blues Brothers car, and impromptu marching band performances.

In between main stage sets, an array of performers will treat fans to special “pop-up” sets from the Congress Theater’s historic balcony.

Join the Headliners on the Main Stage – Last Banjo Standing Contest: Organizers have announced that they will once again hold the “LAST BANJO STANDING,” an online contest that scours Chicagoland to find the top bluegrass or blues inspired artist. The winner, as voted on by fans, family, friends and music lovers around the city will join the headliners on the main stage roster. Sign up and vote at cbbfestival.com/contest.

About the Charities:

And while the festival will serve to break a band or two, festival-goers will get to help children. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to two non-profit organizations, the Saving tiny Hearts Society and Prevent Child Abuse America.

The complete artist roster includes:

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones

Dr. Dog

Emmitt-Nershi Band

Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater

The Giving Tree Band

Josh Phillips Folk Festival

Van Ghost

Majors Junction

Chicago Farmer

Jaik Willis

Mike Mangione & The Band

Holy Ghost Tent Revival

Tangleweed

Environmental Encroachment

Squeeze-bot

GreenSugar

How Far to Austin

Liberty Bluegrass Band

The Right Now

Cobalt & the Hired Guns

The Shams Band

Goodbyehome

The Junior League Band

For coverage of the 2008 Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival go here.

Blue Turtle Seduction: Add Dates

August 28th, 2009 | No Comments

Blue Turtle Seduction End Of Summer/Fall Tour 2009

Blue Turtle Seduction

Blue Turtle Seduction is no stranger to the road. Currently finishing their summer tour, the road is leading them back home to the West Coast for a small jaunt before trekking back into the Midwest. The band is touring in support of their digital release of 13 Floors, proof this touring juggernaut is primed to give fans ample opportunity to hear the latest tunes featured on the release.

Hailing from South Lake Tahoe, CA, the band released the digital version of their album 13 Floors February 10. Possibly the truest encapsulation of the essence of the band, this release pieces influences from The String Cheese Incident to Duran Duran to The Clash into a 13 track record. The album is at times rock, at times bluegrass, occasionally hip-hop and gypsy folk at the core.

Tour Dates:

09/03/09 Thu Tioga Gas Mart Lee Vining, CA

09/04/09 Fri Great Basin Brewing Company Sparks, NV

09/12/09 Sat Lost on Main Chico, CA

09/16/09 Wed Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT

09/17/09 Thu Terrapin Station Boise, ID

09/18/09 Fri Silver Moon Brewing Company Bend, OR

09/19/09 Sat GoodFoot Lounge Portland, OR

09/22/09 Tue John’s Alley Moscow, ID

09/24/09 Thu Sam Bond’s Garage Eugene, OR

09/25/09 Fri Stillwater Ashland, OR

09/26/09 Sat Earthdance (Black Oak Ranch) Laytonville, CA

10/08/09 Thu Green Room Flagstaff, AZ

10/14/09 Wed Winston’s San Diego, CA

10/16/09 Fri OC Tavern San Clemente, CA

10/29/09 Thu Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead (Evergreen Lodge) Groveland, CA

10/30/09 Fri Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead (Evergreen Lodge) Groveland, CA

10/31/09 Sat Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead (Evergreen Lodge) Groveland, CA

11/01/09 Sun Las Tortugas Dance of the Dead (Evergreen Lodge) Groveland, CA

Kyle Hollingsworth:
Comments On SCI’s Future

August 6th, 2009 | No Comments

Kyle Hollingsworth Comments On SCI’s Future

Like all good String Cheese Incident fans we’re keeping an eye on keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth‘s blog. Earlier today Kyle posted the following note:

So Now What?

SCI

Well it has been a few weeks since Rothbury and our “Incident” [read the review here] for the year. It was pretty cool to be standing side stage doing the “pre show huddle” and looking out over the sea of excited fans. And when we walked out onto stage to the great big sound of appreciation it felt so good to be up there again. And yes I was a bit nervous I kinda scraped my way through the first tune just trying to keep my head in the game.

I thought the show went well. A few bonks here and there, in fact the power went out during “Little Hands” and it caught us off guard for a moment, but we recovered and raged on. Overall I was surprised how easily we all sank into the groove again after not being on stage together for two years.

So what happens next? I wish I knew. From my perspective I would love to go out and play some more shows. I cannot say for sure, but it did seem like the band felt the same way. But one thing I do know is that this “break” has been good for everyone. The band came back refreshed and ready to play together again. And although all of our side projects have their own vibe and momentum, I do think there is something to be said about how the six of us play together as a band. There is something special that happens when we are all connected in the moment and in the music.

I hope to keep it going!

Kyle

The String Cheese Incident has no shows scheduled at this point. Kyle Hollingsworth has a bunch of shows coming up, you can check them out here.

Kyle Hollingsworth Album: And Tour w/ Zach Gill

July 29th, 2009 | 1 Comment

KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH BAND ANNOUNCES FALL TOUR DATES

INCLUDING WEST COAST SHOWS WITH ZACH GILL

HOLLINGSWORTH RELEASES SECOND SOLO ALBUM, THEN THERE’S NOW, ON SEPTEMBER 15

Kyle Hollingsworth

For more than a decade, as keyboardist for Colorado’s beloved String Cheese Incident, Kyle Hollingsworth has consistently proven one of the most innovative and virtuosic musicians on the American jamband scene. Now, with the September 15 release of Then There’s Now (SCI Fidelity Records), his first album since the band announced a hiatus in 2007, Hollingsworth extends his reach into areas that will both delight longtime admirers and lock in countless new ones. Emphasizing his considerable songwriting skills and incorporating a plethora of surprises, Then There’s Now marks the true emergence of Kyle Hollingsworth as a solo artist.

Kyle Hollingsworth Band (featuring Dave Watts of The Motet – drums, Garrett Sayers of The Motet – bass, and Dan Schwindt – guitar) tours Midwest and West Coast states this fall in support of Hollingsworth’s new album release. Brushfire Records recording artist Zach Gill (ALO, Jack Johnson) joins Hollingsworth for the October run of West Coast dates and Colorado’s Euforquestra returns home to support the September’s Midwest dates. A limited number SCI Fan Club tickets will be available through pre-sale at www.kylehollingsworth.com beginning Wednesday, July 29 at 10 a.m. PDT. General on sale begins Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m. PDT at www.kylehollingsworth.com and at respective venues.

Check out kylehollingsworth.com/thentheresnow for videos, audio and lots more info.

Kyle’s complete list of fall tour dates is as follows:

09.10 Majestic Theatre Madison, WI w/ Euforquestra

09.11 Iowa City Yacht Club Iowa City, IA w/ Euforquestra

09.12 Martyrs’ Chicago, IL w/ Euforquestra

09.13 The Water Bowl Muncie, IN Wuhnurth Music Festival

09.17 Camp Zoe Salem, MO

09.18 Mishawaka Bellvue, CO co-bill w/Jeff Austin & Friends

09.19 Fox Theatre Boulder, CO CD release party

Following Dates are co-billed with Zach Gill:

10.07 Winston’s Beach Club San Diego, CA

10.08 The Mint Los Angeles, CA

10.09 SOhO Santa Barbara, CA

10.10 The Independent San Francisco, CA

10.11 HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol, CA

10.13 The Red Fox Tavern Eureka, CA

10.14 WOW Hall Eugene, OR

10.15 The Triple Door Seattle, WA

10.16 Wild Buffalo Bellingham, WA

10.17 Mississippi Studios Portland, OR

For Hollingsworth, who has recently been more prolific than ever before, the title of Then There’s Now offers the first clue as to where he stands today. Then There’s Now undeniably draws on Hollingsworth’s past affiliation with “The Cheese,” using his previous work as a jumping off point-yes, there are some intoxicating, if more concise, jams to be savored. But the album’s “now” component-irresistible melodies, poignant lyrics and fine-tuned song construction, plus a willingness to infuse the tunes with elements of pop, jazz, electronica, hip-hop and more-transports Hollingsworth into musical realms he’s never before explored at length.

Chris Berry Trio w/ Kang | 07.17 | Ukiah

July 28th, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Zachary Sampsel | Images by: Roger Franklin

Chris Berry Trio with Michael Kang :: 07.17.09 :: Ukiah Brewing Company :: Ukiah, CA

CB3 with Kang :: 07.17 :: Ukiah, CA

With a little help from The String Cheese Incident‘s Michael Kang, the Chris Berry Trio brought some cool, island vibes to Ukiah on a sweltering Friday night in July.

The Ukiah Brewing Company, with its certified-organic menu, was the perfect spot to choose for a fundraiser benefiting EcoMotion, the October block party in the name of sustainability taking place in Fort Bragg. Although afternoon highs of more than 100-degrees created a sweaty setting for the night, the four-piece opener, High Heat, didn’t mind. Wasting no time in giving the heady Emerald Triangle crowd what they wanted, High Heat busted into a classic by Phish. As soon as the opening riffs of “My Friend, My Friend” came humming off the pickups plenty of people in the crowd, myself included, took notice. Following a good reception for “My Friend,” High Heat launched into original material and lubed up the crowd for what was to come.

Fresh from the String Cheese reunion at Rothbury (read the review here), Kang joined Berry for a seven-show tour throughout Northern California and Oregon with Aaron Johnston and Jesse Murphy, both of Brazilian Girls, rounding out the core of CB3.

Opening with a free-form, improv jam that featured Berry chanting “Ukiah” over the top of an island-sounding beat, the tone was set for an evening that would blend world sounds, live instrumentation and electronics through Berry’s unique perspective. Much like the opener, CB3 linked up quickly and dropped into dub-filled songs and jams that pleased the reggae-friendly crowd of sandals, bare feet and socks that covered the dance floor. Whether it was Kang’s electric mandolin work or the unique, organ-like sound of Berry’s one of a kind mbira, CB3 officially whisked everyone off to the oasis with the free spirited feel of “Come Away.”

Berry on the mbira :: 07.17 :: Ukiah, CA

But upstroke guitar and dub beats weren’t the only tricks up their sleeves. One of the strongest songs of the first set was the psychedelic calypso of “Stronger,” which showcased Berry’s songwriting strengths, as the crowd was up in arms at his message of self-empowerment. And the ensuing jam wasn’t too bad either. With Johnston and Murphy pounding out the low end and padding the bass, Kang took a moment to let loose on a solo that showed why he and his other band had successfully sold out Red Rocks Amphitheatre for four nights back in 2007 (read the review here).

The second set picked up where the first left off with the same psychedelic synthesizer sound from “Stronger” reappearing during the opening. I’m not sure if I was the only one who noticed it, but that synthesizer was eerily familiar to some of the sounds I’ve heard Kyle Hollingsworth use when playing with String Cheese, which I believe added to the palpability of it all.

Much like I’ve seen from Berry during Panjea sets at festivals, he isn’t one to let the energy die down quickly, which was apparent as the band launched into the raucous dance party portion of the night, the one-two punch of “Booty Bump” and “Come & Play.” From here on, the rest was a blur of gyrating waists, fists pumping, hands waving and even a few people spinning in circles. CB3 had the crowd hooked, and with a title like “Booty Bump,” who could resist?

Thinking the evening was over, Berry and friends left the stage, but the zealous crowd’s cheers for an encore spilled into the streets and the band returned to the stage. Back on stage, Berry was something like the mad hatter as he bounced around from vocals to percussion and back to mbira, which looks something like a wooden keyboard made of spoon handles. But Berry wasn’t the only one feeling the love. An enthusiastic Kang looked blown away as the crowd poured the last of its energy into those final moments before drifting away from the oasis.

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