By: Andrea Myers
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Electropolis - Photo by Andrea Myers
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In the eternal search for something new and interesting to listen to, local music fans should be praising the profound inventiveness of jazz quartet Electropolis. The group, made up of four jazz musicians and composers, is on a mission to discover what happens when you crash classically trained technique together with an allowance for attention deficit and rows upon rows of little machines that go “beep” and “boop” and a myriad of distortion pedals. Judging by their under-appreciated yet fascinating performance at Intermedia Arts, the end result should be investigated by anyone looking for a new thrill.
Even more interesting than their wandering sound was accompaniment by video improvisation artist VJ Neverwas. As the lights dimmed and the mostly middle-aged art crowd hushed with anticipation, VJ Neverwas (real name: Chris Cunningham) walked to his command post in the front of the stage - an area that appeared suitable for piloting a spaceship - to start the show. A video presentation started with scattered images that bounced between people riding a subway and someone staggering through the train station, and as a slow rumbling sound started electrumpet player Kelly Rossum sauntered onto the stage to add a few distorted moans. He was followed by Michael Ferrier, an electrosax player, who added to the growing noise with a groaning low register saxophone part. The song built as electric bass player Brian Roessler (formerly of Spymob, Alva Star, Storyhill) and drummer Steve Roehm (The New Standards) approached their instruments and exploded into a funky climax of aggressive drumming and piercing bass, greeting the crowd with goofy grins and a sweet electric groove.
It was interesting to watch the interactions between the members of the band and the video jockey, a veritable fifth member of the ensemble. The five artists played off each other, with Cunningham interjecting splashes of colors and dramatic imagery visually rather than aurally.
Although I am familiar with their recorded material, I have yet to pick up on sounds that would normally be classified as “melodies” or “hooks.” Regardless, Electropolis is strangely infectious, begging the listener to stay tuned as they manipulate modern technology to expound upon the original concepts behind jazz improvisation introduced by the likes of Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman.
It takes a certain mindset to really absorb Electropolis. Because the music is far from accessible or pedestrian, the audience at Intermedia Arts did not seem to appreciate the activity on stage. Halfway through the set a significant number of people started to clear out, yet the band seemed both amused and creatively motivated by the crowd’s departure. As they cranked up and launched into their final song, a cut off their record called “Scorched,” it became clear that this is a band used to the repercussions of being totally and completely different, to the point of occasional absurdity.
Before you cry the guys a river for being rejected by mainstream society, however, keep in mind that they are getting more and more attention following the release of their first record. The record has been getting some airplay on the Current and, according to Michael Ferrier, they have even raised the eyebrows of one of the VPs from the stately Blue Note Records label. “We all have fancy schmancy music degrees and we were all playing in more serious/straight bands before, where we had to follow chord changes and do a lot of thinking,” Ferrier explained. “We wanted to have a band to have fun and experiment with sound. So this band started back in 2000. It has really grown out of that experience of fun, which makes the fact that we're getting major label attention and having success great, because we're just doing what we want, not trying to fit any mold.”
Their formula for creating unique sound appears to work well for Electropolis, even though the band contends that they are clueless to what is happening on stage. “I can’t even remember the titles of most of our songs, and the band’s been around for about five years,” remarked Kelly Rossum with a smirk. “Yeah, I’m supposed to be the one that knows what’s going on,” agreed Brian Roessler. “I’m the one driving the bus and I don’t even know where it’s headed.”
As far as Electropolis is concerned, maybe the best approach for their pounding, wailing, swooning jazz band is to close their eyes, put the key in the ignition, and put the pedal to the metal. Because even without a roadmap this band is cruising down exactly the right path.
Electropolis “Set List”:Slider
Red Blink
Alan’s Theme
Pink Room
Scorched
Location Info:
Intermedia Arts
Artist Info: Electropolis
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