WEEK 3 - SNARKY PUPPY

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“It’s really pretty good.” - Nathan Graham

AND COUNTLESS MORE!

This week, I’m bringing you the funkiest band in the world. They’re about to blow up, and they are more deserving of their coming fame than any other band out there today. By the end of 2016, they are on track to release ten albums in ten years. These guys are incredibly hard working musicians, and the quality of their music will also prove their talent. Being that you will soon be hearing about this band all over the internet and television as they gain popularity, it’s best you learn who they are now.

Snarky Puppy is a fusion band from Brooklyn, New York. That may be the most hipsterish sounding sentence ever written, but this music ain’t no home-brewed coffee house playlist. They have been described as one of the most advanced bands in modern music. They even won a grammy in 2014 for best R&B performance! Reviewers commend their blend of improv and groove, and listeners love their interestingly structured compositions that are equally pleasing for the ear as they are for the mind.

The band itself centers around the bassist and composer of the music, Michael League. League is an accomplished musician with his own record label, of which Snarky Puppy belongs. In addition, eight to ten other core members flesh out the horn and rhythm sections of the band. On top of that, about thirty to forty guest musicians come together to create the massive sound that defines Snarky Puppy’s innovative music. Instruments include brass, strings, electric guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, drum set, and vocals. Every song utilizes the depth of the group differently, creating a diverse listening experience within single albums.

A look at Snarky Puppy’s two most recent albums can best explain why they have gone from an underground jazz group to a heavy-weight, industry game-changer today. The analysis is simple: the albums are REALLY good. In 2014, We Like it Here blew its audience away with powerful horn hooks and truly modern soundscapes. Songs like “What About Me?” and “Tio Macaco” can satisfy sharp-eared music critics and casual lovers of great music alike. In 2015, Sylva proved Snarky Puppy’s unprecedented ability to surprise the music world with its adaptability. The album features the Metropole Orkest from the Netherlands, and the combination of a full orchestra with the jazz group allows for some truly mind-bogglingly amazing music.

Here’s the best news: Snarky Puppy released a brand new album TODAY. Buy Family Dinner Volume II and enjoy! As a palette wetter watch this performance of “What About Me?” from We Like it Here. I cannot speak more enthusiastically on behalf of this band. Please give them a listen; I know you will love their incredible talent. 

WEEK 2 - SIGUR RÓS

I am particularly excited about sharing this week’s band, as their music will blow you away, guaranteed. If you have already heard of Sigur Rós, please pat yourself on the back. Despite the fact that this band actually has quite a large global fan-base, in some places, especially America, they don’t get much exposure. But now you know they exist! And it’s currently my task to make you listen. 

Sigur Rós hails from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík (pronounced reɪkjəˌvik, duh), and released their debut album in 1994. The band is still currently active. Being that all the members are Icelandic, the song lyrics are in Icelandic too, so you will probably become fluent in the language after listening to an album or so. 

Now, allow me to attempt to describe Sigur Rós’s music. Just like last  week, I absolutely do not want to put this group into a box by comparing it to other artists or mashing together a turducken of genres to convey its sound. The word that most strongly comes to mind when I think of their music is beautiful. It is capable of evoking the strongest emotional responses of any music I’ve listened to. Certain compositions (I will not refer to them as mere songs!) will make you want to cry, others will fill you with bliss, and still others will make your chest swell with some indescribable sensation of oneness with the world that only great art can achieve.

Alright, so I’ve made this stuff sound pretty darn great so far, but what does it actually sound like? For most of the albums, the band is comprised of four central members with a full orchestra in accompaniment. The frontman, Jónsi Birgisson, sings and plays guitar. Now that may seem cliché, but there’s more! He sings in a beautiful falsetto voice, and he plays his guitar with a cello bow. Additionally, he is openly gay and blind in one eye. Cliché now? Nope. They have a drummer, a bassist, a pianist/flute/oboe/vibraphone player, and, usually, an orchestra. You can imagine those elements create an extremely unique sonic blend. The pianist composes most of the string and brass parts for the pieces, and he has serious talent. 

The music typically incorporates a wide range of moods and dynamics, creating very interesting soundscapes. Jónsi’s falsetto voice and bowed guitar create a thick, enchanting foundation for the rest of the ensemble to build on. The bassist and drummer lay down heavy, driving rhythms,  often very untraditional to the types found in rock or pop music. The real magic comes from the pianist and his compositions, which always shock and awe. One signature theme of Sigur Rós’s music is building on a simple motif for an entire song, creating intricate variations until blasting it all away with a massive orchestral finish. It will certainly be some of the most original music you ever get the privilege of hearing.

The one song I have selected as your introduction to the band is called “Hoppípolla,” which translates to, “hopping in puddles” in english. It’s one of their most uplifting songs, so if you’re into the dark stuff, keep exploring, they will not disappoint you. You can watch a live performance the band gave outdoors in Iceland here. Enjoy the incredible talent of Sigur Rós!

WEEK 1 - THE CAT EMPIRE

My purpose here is very simple; I will get you to listen to the music I post, and you will LIKE IT. Okay, okay, you don’t have to like it, we all have different tastes after all, but I hope to inspire you enough to give the music a sincere listen. By that, I don’t mean you click the link or video and humor me for a few seconds before moving on. I want you to read this blog, go home at the end of your day of classes, suddenly remember the new piece of music I shared that you really want to hear, return to this blog on your own time, and listen to the music. If you don’t do this, then I have failed. Each week I will share an artist you probably don't know, or I might even share an important album from a band you have definitely heard of but never got around to checking out. All I need from you is a few minutes once a week, an open mind, and a curiosity for discovering new, fantastic music. What makes me qualified to decide which artists and songs you must listen to? Stop asking questions and just read, dammit!

In order to get this blog off to a strong start, I will begin with the kings of the jungle: The Cat Empire. I have known this group for a very long time, and they remain one of my all time favorite bands. I went to two live performances of theirs in Philadelphia and New York, and the shows were incredible. I have never seen a greater number of exuberant people dancing like freaks anywhere else. The Cat Empire consists of six core members with a few additional musicians joining on various albums. They are based in Melbourne, Australia and have an enormous following in their home country. They released their debut album in 2003 and it went twice platinum by 2005.

But you probably don’t care that much about The Cat Empire’s history; you’re here for the  music. Describing this band's sound is impossible without using a long string of various genres melded together. They use elements of reggae, hip-hop, rap, jazz, rock, latin, and funk. The only defining characteristic of their identity is their uncanny ability to evade definition. That being said, there is one characteristic of this group that does differentiate them from any group I have ever listened. The Cat Empire plays the most genuinely happy music on Earth. Their energy will brighten your day whether you are a long time fan or a first time listener.

The band utilizes two lead vocalists, one with a deep, rich voice, the other with a higher, more dynamic sound, as well as a strong brass section. All of the musicians are extremely talented in their own right, so when they come together, fantastic music follows. 

Here is a link to “Brighter Than Gold,” a song from their most recent album, Steal the Light. A catchy upright bass line drives the music through the verses, which open up into etherial choruses. A strong horn hook in the middle and an outro that is guaranteed to make you get up and dance make this song instantly enjoyable. Once you’ve listened to this song, please do yourself a favor by exploring their other incredible works. Have fun!