Featured Artist: GARGANTA

Dance? Trance? Disco Be-Bop til you can't stop? Well, my friend, Grand Rapids, Michigan's GARGANTA is for you! Fusing electronic gadget with live instruments, this trio gets heads nodding from the first note and simply refuses to let go.

Originally a duo (video-DJ Kevin Brumm and guitarist/keyboardist Josh Wilson), the group recently added percussionist Kurt Schmiege to round out their sound and has stepped undaunted into the ever expanding realm of live electronics.

With bands like STS9 and Lotus paving the way, much of the electronic scene has moved away from the rave DJ and towards the musicians with pedals, synths and whatever other fantastical gadgets they can get their hands on; and in an age of ever expanding technological abilities, why not tap a creative impulse into the computer?

GARGANTA knows this and uses it to their advantage when approaching their nearly 100% improvised live sets. Like any good DJ, the band will feel out the crowd and play to the strengths and weaknesses of the moment transitioning from up tempo booty-shakin, arm-flailin beats to down tempo head-nodding grooves. This is done not only through the music, but also with live visuals that would make any 1950's sci-fi film maker turn harlequin green with envy.

More so than perhaps any other genre the atmosphere of an electronic show plays as important a role as the music itself. Almost anyone can plug in a few flashing lights, hand out glow sticks, and call it good, but GARGANTA is one of the few to not only take visuals a step further, but run every aspect of the show themselves. On the fly. In the dark.

I was lucky enough to have the fellas stop by the WIDR studios the day before they opened for EOTO, and play a live set (click here for the podcast). I didn't know much of them, but it didn't take long before my head took on a bobble-head feel, my foot started a tappin and nearly impulsively I put my headphones on to hear every small beep and boop coming out of the sound studio only a few feet away.

Simply put, it's engrossing. GARGANTA's music has the feeling of a party you don't want to miss and know you belong to.

Featured Artist: Toubab Krewe

How I went as long as I did without knowing about Asheville, North Carolina's Toubab Krewe is quite beyond me, but at long last I found them and my passion for music was revitalized in a way I could never have imagined.

Music festivals may have taken some flack over the past few years; no doubt spurred on by Bonnaroo's blatant change in scope, and the inclusion of amazing up and comers such as Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. But, in spite of the larger festivals Clear Channel/MTV feel, the simple fact remains that few better avenues exist for bands to get their name out more than the celebrations of music that are summer festivals.

It was at this year's Summer Camp Music Festival (one of my personal favorites that's managed to stay somewhat under the radar) that I came across the engrossing, and undeniable groove that is Toubab Krewe. The immediate distinction one may notice in Toubab's performance is the Kora (pictured left), a 21-stringed instrument traditionally played in Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso and The Gambia; a few of which the band has spent extended time in. With this unique sound at the forefront an instinctual comparison to Afro-beat music comes to mind. This is furthered by a stunning percussion section that takes the lead with solos at least once every show captivating the audience not only audibly, but mesmerizing them visually with multiple musicians drumming in unison and building a song from is most elemental roots. For an example of this check out the song "Asheville To Abidjan" on their self-titled debut album.

But to call this band Afro-beat simply does not do them justice. Almost immediately after the infectious, tribal beats coming from the stage put my body into a rhythm I was previously unaware it knew, Toubab seamlessly switched to flawless surf-rock, then straight up rock and roll, and then fused them all and simply did not stop. When it comes to Toubab's live performance, I believe Flavorpill has already said it best: "we haven't danced, sweated, and smiled so much in a long time."

At a festival dominated by the heavy-hitters of the jam industry like moe., Umphrey's McGee, and Les Claypool, standing alone not only as the surprise of the weekend, but easily the most pioneering was Toubab Krewe.

Capturing this vibe as much as a live performance can be encapsulated by a recording is their second album, Live At The Orange Peel. Recording during their 2007-2008 New Years celebration, the album shows their absolute mastery of multiple genres and their versatility to meld them into a sound all its own.

Their nearly non-stop summer run will hit major festivals such as the aforementioned Bonnaroo, and Michigan's up and coming mogul Rothbury as well as numerous other cities throughout the U.S.

I implore you, go see this band!

The Kalamazoo Bailout

The Kalamazoo Bailout: Thrifty Way To Spend The Weekend
Bands from all across the Midwest to participate in two day event at Papa Pete's June 26th-27th

Kalamazoo, MI June 10, 2009 – Times are indeed tough here in Michigan, knowing this Royal Jester Productions has brought together four dynamic Midwest bands under one umbrella to create a memorable weekend at an affordable price. The Kalamazoo Bailout will take place June 26th-27th at Papa Pete's, located in downtown Kalamazoo at 502 S. Burdick St.

The event will get kicked off Friday with Kalamazoo's own Funktion welcoming JoBu. Having recently added Jeremy Reisig (brother of drummer Sean Reisig), Funktion now boasts a fuller percussion sound to match the horns, and guitars they have mastered in the past few years. The band's ascent to the top of the Michigan music scene will continue this summer with the release of their first studio album, as well as headlining spots at The Taste of Kalamazoo, The Peace Festival, and the Holland and Wickes Park Summer Concert Series'.

Joining them will be JoBu, a Chicago-based jam band who has been touring nationally for several years. After the release of their first studio album Stop Time, the band has seen an increase in fan volume, which has thrust them into tours stretching from Milwaukee Wisconsin, to Key West Florida.

Dayton, Ohio's rock outfit, The Werks will headline Day 2 of the festival Saturday night with GARGANTA. Having recently released their first studio album, Synapse, The Werks have been touring endlessly as well as playing along side major acts such as Lotus and EOTO at many summer festivals across the Midwest.

Grand Rapids live electronic jam band GARGANTA will close out the weekend, making a return trip to Kalamazoo after opening for EOTO this past April. GARGANTA not only improvises the majority of their musical set every night, but also runs hypnotic visuals to ensure a unique atmosphere.

Tickets will be $6.00 at the door each night, or $10.00 for both nights, and can be reserved by emailing your name to RoyalJesterBooking@gmail.com. All adults ages 18 and up are welcome. Visit myspace.com/royaljestermidwest for information and updates.

Some Kind of Jam's 100th Show!

With Some Kind of Jam's 100th show launches this, the Some Kind of Jam blog. Weekly playlist updates as well as featured artists will be updated weekly starting now!