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Purple Hatter's Ball Adds Dumpstaphunk, Zoogma, And More April 4, 2017 11:32
Photo by Staged Right
Purple Hat Productions has announced several artist additions for the tenth annual Purple Hatter’s Ball including New Orleans funk stalwarts Dumpstaphunk and live electronic four-piece Zoogma along with N
Taking place at the beautiful Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida June 2 -4, 2017, the three-day music festival benefits The Rachel Morningstar Foundation (a non-profit 501c3 organization) in honor of longtime SOSMP friend and music festival lover Rachel Morningstar Hoffman.
For guests that want to arrive early, PHB will host a Thursday Pre-Party on June 1 with Zach Deputy,
PHB 2017 will utilize three stages including the famed Amphitheater Stage, a Beach Stage located along the wild black water Suwannee River that is picturesque for daytime sets, and the Uncle Charles Porch Stage. The event also features live art, yoga, workshops and a silent auction, as well as a Charity Disc Golf Tournament hosted by Zach Deputy. Since Rachel was an aspiring chef, PHB will be adding a culinary component for 2017 featuring food from several top notch chefs that will be announced at a later date.
The most memorable moment of the weekend is when Rachel’s loving mother, Margie Weiss (aka Mama Margie), leads an emotional ceremony celebrating her daughter’s memory. Each year, they released 24 monarch butterflies – 23 to represent Rachel’s age when she was taken from this world and 1 for her spirit that lives on.
Purple Hatter’s Ball 2017 Lineup:
Emancipator
Dumpstaphunk*
Perpetual Groove
Zach Deputy
Zoogma*
The Russ Liquid Test
Dubconscious
Roosevelt Collier Band
The Malah
MZG
Catfish Alliance
Lucidea
NickFRESH*
POST.MODEM*
Trial By Stone
Juanjamon Band
Parker Urban Band
Universal Green
Dead Keys Tribute to Scott Campbell
Lucky Costello
Vlad The Inhaler
Albert Simpson
Booty Boo*
Jeff Randall*
Ion Zide*
Isaac Corbitt (artist-at-large)
*new addition
Thursday Pre-Party:
Zach Deputy
Dubconscious
Bells and Robes
Blackwater Grease
About The Rachel Morningstar Foundation: The Rachel Morningstar Foundation exists to help the public understand the benefit of guidelines for law enforcement's use of confidential informants (CIs). Currently each state, county, city, college campus or law enforcement agency sets their own standards, laws or guidelines as it relates to recruiting and using CIs. The efforts of this foundation are dedicated to the memory of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman (December 17, 1984 – May 7, 2008) a 23-year-old Florida State University graduate. She was murdered while acting as a police informant during a drug sting that started on May 7, 2008. The first of its kind in the U.S., Rachel’s Law, a Florida law that went into effect on July 1, 2009, established new guidelines for law enforcement when dealing with confidential informants.
The Werks Announce Initial Lineup For The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival March 9, 2017 12:22
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Veteran jam band The Werks has revealed the initial lineup to the 8th annual The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio on August 3rd-5th. Quickly becoming one of the most anticipated festival of the summer, The Werk Out consistently features several established national headliners, along with many of the hottest up-and-coming bands from across the festival scene. Host band The Werks is scheduled to headline all three nights, while additional performers include
Gramatik, The Floozies, Emancipator, Dopapod (two nights), Dumpstaphunk (featuring Ivan Neville), Future Rock, Zoogma (two nights), Sunsquabi, Big Something, Spafford, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Jahman Brahman, Joe Marcinek Band, CBDB, Brother's Gow, Subterranean, Electric Orange Peel, and many more to be announced. A collaborative TWERKAPOD: A Tribute to the 90s – Vol. 2 set was also announced following last year’s debut featuring members of The Werks, Dopapod and Twiddle.
See below for highlights from last year's Werk Out 2016, and make sure to head over to the festival's official website for further details and ticket options. Stay tuned for future updates and lineup additions!
The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival Initial 2017 Lineup
- The Werks
- Gramatik
- The Floozies
- Emancipator
- Dopapod
- Dumpstaphunk (featuring Ivan Neville)
- TWERKAPOD: A Tribute to the 90s – Vol. 2
- Future Rock,
- Zoogma
- Sunsquabi
- Big Something
- Spafford
- Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
- Jahman Brahman
- Joe Marcinek Band
- CBDB
- Brother’s Gow
- Subterranean
- Electric Orange Peel
Win Tickets To See Zoogma At Zydeco On Saturday Night (Dec. 3rd) November 28, 2016 21:32
Live & Listen is pleased to join forces with our friends at Zydeco in Birmingham once again for an evening of live music with Zoogma and special guest Chark on Saturday, December 3rd. Doors open at 9:30 PM and the music will start soon thereafter. As a sign of our excitement for Saturday night, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the show. To enter the contest, simply share this post directly from our Facebook page and tag a friend who you would take to the show in the comments. We will announce a winner at 12:00 PM on Friday afternoon.
Read our recent interview with Justin Hasting of Zoogma
Live electronic quartet Zoogma has been busy over the past year. While maintaining a busy tour schedule, the band has been steadily working on their new concept record, A Future in Blue. The new record combines their Mississippi/Memphis blues roots with their unique electronica sound to bring listeners their own refreshing brand of “Future-Blues”.
The first single, “What It Is”, mixes Leslie-driven guitar and classic 70’s-era horns, with catchy vintage-blues samples that mesh with the funky, futuristic electronic sound Zoogma delivers both live and in the studio. Listen to the new single, streaming below.
Zoogma is a live electronic
Chark began expressing
Watch Zoogma's Stranger Things Halloween Weekend Recap here:
Live & Listen's 'Bands You Should Know': Zoogma August 12, 2016 14:34
Live & Listen is pleased to continue a brand new weekly feature known as Bands You Should Know. This new concept will highlight a different band each Friday with an interview, general background information, current happenings, as well as videos and audio from each band. After nearly two years of various interviews and artist spotlights, we feel that installing a consistent weekly feature is the perfect move as we progress forward.
For our sixth edition of Bands You Should Know, we sat down with Justin Hasting (guitar/synthesizer) of Zoogma, a Nashville-based live-electronic band like no other. This is one band that we've been fortunate enough to witness the steady progression from college bars to national festivals. Zoogma crosses into multiple genres on nearly every tune, bringing elements of electronic blues, rock, and even hip-hop to the table. This band continues to push boundaries with each album, and they show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
A Weekend In Review: The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival August 12, 2016 13:08
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Year in and year out, music fans can count on summertime presenting an overwhelming variety of options to satisfy their musical appetite. The vast majority of national acts pack their schedules with gigs from coast to coast, and it seems as if there is a major music festival every weekend. Last weekend was the quintessential example, as Ohio-based jam/rock band The Werks hosted it's annual "homecoming" weekend: The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival.
The Werk Out began in 2010 at Zane Shawnee Caverns, an indian reservation with underground crystal caves in Bellefontaine, Ohio. The festival quickly outgrew that area and relocated to Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio, where it has now been held for the past five years. After hearing the rave reviews over the past few years and diving deep into The Werks' catalog, I knew that this was the year for a summer journey from Alabama and Ohio. This ended up being easily one of my best decisions in recent memory.
From the moment we arrived on Thursday afternoon, the positive vibes were flowing from every angle. An enthusiastic, welcoming staff directed our group to a prime camping spot, and we made at least 10 new friends before the campsite was even completed. While there are numerous elements of The Werks that I have come to love, it's the positive culture that surrounds the band really seals the deal.
Upon entering the festival grounds for the first time, Chris Houser (lead guitar - The Werks) was playing on the main stage with his very first band, Cheezcake, who set a perfect tone for the weekend. Shortly after, we had the pleasure of catching several tunes from Sassafraz, a super talented group from Columbus which produced The Werks' newest band member, Jake Goldberg (bass). Our first journey to the "Big Tent" led us to Mister F, who provided some serious funk prior to Dopapod taking the main stage.
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Dopapod has quickly become one of the jam/festival scenes hottest acts, and their success is justified with every performance. Watching those guys perform, with a beautiful sunset in the distance, made for a very special moment early on. We even got to sing "Happy Birthday" to the bands audio engineer/light designer Luke Stratton, as the band called him to the stage for a cake presentation. Shortly after sunset, the crowd shifted just a matter of feet to the "Side Stage," where America's favorite power funk army Turkuaz ignited one of the biggest dance parties of the weekend. It's truly amazing to witness the production and chemistry of this band in person. They advertise "power funk," and they absolutely deliver "power funk."
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
The main stage was now set for the weekend's first set from The Werks, who took the stage fully participating in the evening's "track suit" theme. The band came out firing with classics such as "For Today," "For You," and "Fire Eater," and even debuted a cover of Elton John's "The Circle of Life" from The Lion King. A classic duel on the keys between Dan Shaw and special guest Todd Stoops occured during "G-Funk," before a massive "Hard to Find" > "Cloud Hopper" > "Hard to Find" would close out the set. This was particularly satisfying, as my last Werks festival set was cut short when a nasty thunderstorm hit during "Cloud Hopper" at AURA earlier this year. Another cover was debuted for the encore when the band busted out "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas. Somehow or another, Lettuce was up next for a late night set in the big tent, and night one at The Werk Out couldn't have been much hotter.
Watch The Werks perform "G-Funk" with special guest Todd Stoops here:
Video by izeoftheworldphotos
Photos by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Day two at Legend Valley picked up right where Thursday left off, and the party was alive and well in The Big Tent by early afternoon. The Big Damn Jam served as a touching tribute to Norman Dimitrouleas, the former keyboardist of The Werks who tragically passed away in January of this year. Norman had always wanted the band to play The Beatles' Abbey Road in it's entirety, and his brother Dino, Todd Stoops, and many others performed the album in epic fashion. Next up was an early afternoon dose of heavy funk courtesy of Kung Fu, a band that always brings the party and never disappoints.
Anyone that has been to a music festival understands that you have to be strategic; often leaving one set earlier than you would like to in order to catch one of those "must see" bands. This was the story of Friday afternoon, but that's definitely not a bad problem to have. It was now time for CBDB to kick off a 60-minute set it in The Big Tent. These guys never cease to amaze me. This would be the band's first performance with bassist Mike Sinopole, and you would've thought he'd been with the band for years. The highlight of the set came in the form of two debuts: a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Loose Lucy" followed by a brand new original, "She's Mobile." I can't help but predict very big things to come for CBDB in the near future.
Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
We quickly made it back to the main stage as Twiddle kicked off their set with the classic "Jamflowman." It had been way too long since I had seen these guys, and I was quickly reminded why they have really blown up recently. Fortunately, they were scheduled for an additional set on Saturday, which allowed me to scoot back over to The Big Tent just in time for Backup Planet, one of the most promising young bands I have seen in years. I was introduced to this band earlier this year at AURA Music & Arts Festival, when they delivered one of my favorite sets of the weekend. These guys managed to exceed some very high expectations. Backup Planet is the real deal, and they might have the best cover of "Whipping Post" that I've ever heard.
Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Dopapod was now back on the main stage for another amazing sunset performance, only to be followed by a wildly energetic set on the side stage from live electronic act Zoogma. I've had the pleasure of watching Zoogma work their way up from the college bar scene to the national festival scene, and I couldn't be happier for their success. You get everything from electronic blues/rock to hip-hop with Zoogma, and how could you not get down to that?
The stage was now set for one of the weekend's biggest moments: two full sets of STS9. There was a significant number of the Tribe faithful who came to The Werk Out specifically for this moment, and they were rewarded with a stellar festival performance. The first set had two extremely unfortunate moments; the first of which involved a fan hopping on stage, climbing on drummer Zach Velmer's kit, and taking a trust fall onto the drummer mid-song. Velmer handled the situation like the true professional that he is, and the band picked up right where they left off. The set was then cut short due to technical/power issues, but the band returned for it's second set and gave Legend Valley an absolute gem. The "Hubble" > "Orbital" > "Hubble" segue was as tight as anything I've heard from this band. "World Go Round" made for an epic dance party to close out the set, and the "Breathe In" encore was simply perfect. I couldn't have more respect for this band's response to a few unfortunate issues that were out of their control.
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
It was now time for The Werks to continue the party in the big tent, which some might have seen as a difficult task after two powerful sets of STS9. The boys kicked things off with a bang as they worked through the powerful instrumental "Lights Out," followed by the first "Transformational" since November of 2015. They even finished the "Cloudhopper" from Thursday night. Dino Dimitrouleas returned to the stage for an extended jam on "Rollin," and two of my personal favorites, "Find Your Way" and "You're Not Alone," closed out the set in heavy fashion.
You would think this had to be the end of the evening, but the most unique moment of the night was yet to come. The stage was now set for Twerkapod, a one-time 90's tribute set featuring a rotating cast of members from The Werks, Dopapod, and Twiddle. What proceeded after 2:30 AM was nothing short of beautiful, epic, and hilarious. For a more detailed recap and video footage of the Twerkapod set, click here.
Watch Twerkapod perform Blues Traveler's "Run Around" here:
Video by Charles Izenstark: izeoftheworldphotos
As we entered the final day at Legend Valley, the positive energy was contagious, and we were faced with yet another killer lineup. Broccoli Samurai kicked things off early on the main stage, and these guys blew my mind. The Cleveland-based four-piece held down a ridiculously melodic groove from start to finish, and they have some of the best song titles I've ever heard of. I'm really looking forward to following this band moving forward.
Members of The Werks, Twiddle, and Greensky Bluegrass joined forces for the Matt Butler's Everyone Orchestra, which opened things up for some truly amazing improv jamming. I had heard a lot about this project over the years, but this was my first time witnessing it in person. The constantly rotating cast always brings something new to each stage, and watching this collection of musicians in this capacity was a definite highlight. BIG Something proceeded to absolutely crush the side stage, while The Werks headed over to the VIP tent for a three-song acoustic set which included Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer," "Fall," and "Better Than Before." This was my first time seeing these guys in an acoustic setting, and it only further affirmed how diverse this band can be.
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Greensky Bluegrass was next up on the main stage for one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend. We took advantage of the grass hill back toward the vendors to enjoy the set full of all of the Greensky classics. It had been quite some time since I'd had the pleasure of seeing these guys live, and damn...they were amazing. They even brought out Mihali Savoulidis from Twiddle for "Last Winter in Copper County." As soon as Greensky finished, Twiddle would take the side stage by storm for their second set of the weekend, which featured many of my favorites, such as "Be There," "Lost in the Cold," Syncopated Healing," and "Frankenfoote."
Watch video footage of Greensky Bluegrass w/ Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle here:
Video by Charles Izenstark: izeoftheworldphotos
The main stage was now set for what you could easily call the weekend's main event. The Werks were slated for two sets, and they took the stage in full tuxedos. "Alive" kicked off the set and bust outs of "Give or Take" and "Cruel Stone Blues" would follow. The always powerful "OG" ultimately led into a cover of Edgar Winter Group's "Frankenstein" which closed out the first set in epic fashion. "Drop" kicked off the second set, which has to be one of the most clever songs in recent history. An extended "Werk Out Jam" moved into an "Immigrant Song Jam," and things truly took off from there.
The sequence of "Finding Destiny" > "Galactic Passport" > "Finding Destiny" > "Galactic Passport" > "Finding Destiny" was on another level. A raging rendition of "Onslaught" provided a classic Werks rager to close the second set. The decision to encore with "Carry Me Back Home" came as no surprise, as the emotional tune had not been played since prior to the passing of Norman Dimitrouleas. Dino returned to the stage for this one, which was an emotional, touching tribute to say the least. Midway through the song, Rob Chafin addressed the audience and invited the entire Werk Out crew to the stage for the song's closing chorus.
Watch The Werks' perform "Carry Me Back Home" here:
Videos by Charles Izenstark: izeoftheworldphotos
As many readers will understand, you're just never going to make it to every set that you plan for over the course of a weekend festival. After three full days and two very late nights, I didn't have it in me to make it back over to The Big Tent for the two remaining sets from The Motet and Earphunk (Daft Phunk). This was defintely my biggest regret of the weekend, but as the old saying goes, "You can't make 'em all." There was a noticeable buzz amongst the campground surrounding both late night sets, and it sounds like Earphunk went above and beyond, with a set that went far beyond the time they were obligated to play until. This came as no surprise, as that's the type of performance that those guys are known to give.
As I wrap up what is easily one of the longest articles in the history of this website, I can't help but wonder if there is anyone who has actually continued reading to this point. For anyone who has, thank you for reading through my memories of this amazing weekend. There is no brief or concise way to justifiably recount this experience. When thousands of fans come from every corner of the country to gather in the spirit of music and art, it is truly a beautiful thing. The Werk Out was circled on my calendar for several months, and the anticipation which surrounded it was very real. My expectations couldn't have been much higher, and they were exceeded each and every night. I can't say enough about the job that Rob Chafin and the entire Werks crew has done in building and growing this festival into what it has become. The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival was an experience that I will never forget, and I can't wait to return in 2017.
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Photo by Josh Timmermans: Noble Visions
Live & Listen Presents: Zoogma with Moglee at Zydeco - Friday 8/19 August 11, 2016 17:22
Live & Listen is pleased to announce that we are teaming up with our friends at Zydeco in Birmingham for another amazing night of music next week. Join us on Friday, August 19th for an evening with Nashville-based, live electronic act Zoogma along with an opening set from local producer Moglee. This marks the highly anticipated return to Birmingham for Zoogma, so mark your calendars and purchase your tickets today, as this is a show you will not want to miss. Doors are scheduled to open at 9:30 PM on Friday, August 28th. Moglee will perform an opening set, with Zoogma taking the stage shortly after. Tickets are available now for $10 and can be purchased by clicking here.
Zoogma is a live electronic band based in Nashville, TN. Since 2010, Zoogma has been blending genres into a musical experience that has been called "refreshingly original, yet steeped in dance music tradition". The band is no stranger to the studio or touring either. With two full studio albums, a double jam cruise live album, a slew of patented live remixes, and the most recent release of their chart topping "New Era EP", as well as a handful of national headline tours under their belt, Zoogma has carved out an incredibly loyal fanbase. You can get all of their music for free at www.zoogma.net
Matt Harris - Drums, Live Sequencing
Justin Hasting - Guitar, Synthesizer
Ryan Nall - Bass, Synthesizer
Watch Zoogma perform "Hotel Crunkifornia" at Cervantes in Denver, CO here:
Song Premiere: Listen To Two New Tracks From Modern Measure June 17, 2016 10:10
Photo by Taylor Wallace: iWally Photograpy
Modern Measure, a hybrid electronic project based in Atlanta, has officially released two new studio tracks, and we're more than pleased to bring them to you today. Both tracks come in the form of remixes: the first being "Wax VIP", one of the group's fan favorites, while the other appears on Zoogma's New Era Remix album due out on Friday (June 17th). Other collaborators on the Zoogma remix album include Vibe Street, Luke the Knife (Luke Miller of Lotus), Turbo Suit, Dynohunter, amongst several other electronic acts.
After watching this group from a far for the past two years, we finally caught their live show at Jam In The Ham at Zydeco in Birmingham earlier this month. Modern Measure stays true to art and music. Kyle Holly (drums/production) and Charlie Thornton (bass/saxophone/production) keep the party up at all times.
Taking inspiration from around the world, along with Electronica, Hip Hop, Rap, Funk, and Rock influences, it all blends meticulously. Catch Modern Measure on this road this summer at New Mountain in Asheville, NC, OuterSpace Project at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA, and Camp Bisco in Scranton, PA.
Listen to Modern Measure's "Wax VIP" here:
Listen to Zoogma's "New Era (Modern Measure Remix)" here:
Infusing live organic instrumentation with artfully crafted music production is what sets them apart. Modern Measure was formed in the musical hotbed of Atlanta, GA in 2013. In just a short time, Modern Measure has shared the stage with friends and renowned artists such as STS9, Big Gigantic, The Disco Biscuits, Zoogma, Manic Focus, The Floozies, The New Deal, and Turbo Suit. With the help of their label, 1320Records, they continue to push the bar releasing original material, alongside remixes from very respected artists that continually inspire the band.
Modern Measure has performed at music festivals across the country such as Camp Bisco, Suwannee Hulaween, North Coast Music Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, Summer Set Music Festival,Counterpoint Music Festival, and Euphoria Music Festival just to name a few. Get familiar, get comfortable, and lock yourselves in. Modern Measure is a name you will continue to see in music for years to come.
Watch Modern Measure's official recap from Jam In The Ham here:
Video by Sune Media