ARISE Music will be held August 8th-10th at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, Colorado. This venue is perfect for the music festival that focuses on being eco-conscious, promotes activism and sustainability. Festival intern, Kelsi Ouellette says “We are lucky enough to have a permanent 400 sq ft domed theater on site. Within this amazing structure we are able to present many internationally recognized speakers, screen films, host dynamic panel discussions, hold amazing workshops for all to enjoy. We also have a Kid’s Village located on side, where families and children of all ages can come experience ARISE together in a family-friendly environment.” The Festival doesn’t just feature class act music, but there are yoga workshops, belly dancing classes, films, and art exhibits that will provide an experience for all ages.
Tickets are still avaiable at eventbrite.com search: ARISE music Festival. as well as more information at www.arisefestival.com
Beats Antique
Review by Kendra Hamman
Beats antique is a world fusion electronic group composed of Zoe Jakes, David Satori, and Tommy “Side Car” Cappel. The Band officially came together under producer Miles Copeland in 2007 with their debut album Tribal Derivations. Satori graduated from the California Institute of the Arts and started his touring career with an experimental instrumental group called “The Funnies” which was known for touring on a bus fueled entirely by vegetable oil. Later, he joined a afrobeat 10 piece band called Aphrodesia. Aphrodesia successfully toured Nigeria in 2003 and heavily influenced Satoris future style of music.
Similarly, Jakes came from an impressive 10 year dancing career including ballet, jazz, belly dancing, and various art performance groups. She met Satori in San Francisco Bay underground music scene. The two came along side Berkley graduate in percussion, Tommy Cappel and the rest is history.
With this much classical musical talent in one band “Beats freaks” everywhere can agree that Beats Antique puts on one helluva show. Their newest Album A thousand faces act II is the final installment of a two part process in which Beats Antique enlisted their faithful fans for financial and creative support. A hugely successful kickstarter promises their summer performances to be the most extravagant yet (Yes, that means you, ARISE goers) while also producing a music video completely casted by their fans.
The Infamous String Dusters
Review by Cole Peterson
The Infamous Stringdusters, is a touring bluegrass group making a prominent impact on the bluegrass scene, have released five albums since their inception in 2006, all of which have been well received by critics. Their song “Magic Number 9” from their album Things That Fly was nominated for “The Best Country Instrumental” Grammy in 2011.
The Infamous Stringdusters also received three awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007; Emerging Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Fork in the Road) and Song of the Year (“Fork in the Road”). Aside from that, The Dusters boast an extensive touring career, having played over 80 shows in the past year alone. The band also helps produce their very own music festival in central Virginia, dubbed The Festy Experience.
Their studio recorded music, seems to be rooted in bluegrass with a pop country feel, bright and light. All the members, Andy Hall (Dobro), Andy Falco (guitar), Chris Pandolfi (banjo), Jeremy Garrett (fiddle) and Travis Book (upright bass), seem to have a solid understanding of their respective instruments. Their live shows poses some serious evidence that these guys know how to pick, very fast, and technically, while remaining well balanced. The band says that live performances are their main focus. Traditional bluegrass fans need not be frightened, although an over-reaching record company may have hold on their artistic freedom in the studio, it seems their live performances can hold true. We are definitely looking forward to seeing what these guys can throw down for us at ARISE.
Gipsy Moon
Review by Kendra Hamman
Residing in the friendly town of Nederland, Colorado the five member band called Gipsy Moon feature’s Silas Herman (mandolin), David Matters (banjo/vocals/guitar), Mackenzie Page (guitar/vocals/tenor banjo/washboard), Andrew Conley (cello), and Matt Cantor (bass). The band is categorized under “gipsygrass” as Page and Matters dusty voices communicate naturalistic love songs. Their civil disobedience and other gypsy themed songs are in perfect harmony with cello melodies played by Conley to create sounds that will be buzzing about your head all day.
Dan Rodriguez of fellow successful gypsy folk band Elephant Revival, produced Gipsy Moon’s 2013 album Eventide. The album has an even mix of around the campfire lyrics and love songs dedicated to the mountains. In “These Mountains” Colorado natives can relate to the verse “I’m gonna live and die in these mountains/living here will keep me free….They can’t buy these mountains/but they sure as hell are gonna try.” The rebel anthems of Gipsy Moon provoke a lingering image of Spanish thieves running through the desert night with gold spilling out of their pockets, and whiskey in their fists. Gipsy Moon’s music inspires ones inner rebel to burst out in full force resulting in a live show full of rambunctious dance moves.
The track after “These Mountains” is a momentous jam called “Foggy Jungle Breakdown.” All members of the band work together like true professionals, not one instrument outshines the others for a beautiful result of a well rounded, danceable sound. This track demonstrates the bands easy movement through fast picking, grounding cello lines, and pixie like melodies that float on top of Cantor’s controlled bass.
