Once again Sonic Bloom is celebrating another weekend of eclectic artwork and high vibrational music in Rye, CO. Three hours south of Denver, the annual celebration of the summer solstice will be resuming for the first time since 2019. And with this years line up being a powerhouse of billowing bass and digital synthesis, we know it couldn’t hurt to do a brief rundown of instrumental acts playing next weekend.
Lettuce
A six piece powerhouse of funk, Lettuces grip on what brings them together is tighter than ever. Having recently collab’d with Bootsy Collins, it’s safe to say if anyone’s primed to bring the funk to Sonic Bloom, it’s them. But while so secure in their genre, their ability to switch up and stretch into other sounds is a proper way to recognize how talented each member is. Shooting off waves of pure fun, the band will likely play out their new album Unify, a proper fit for headlining a venue called Unified Field.
Ghost-Note
The combined forces of critically acclaimed Snarky Puppy, Mononeon (Former bassist for Prince), and a heavy collection of nationally recognized hip hop musicians, this group of talent arranges itself into levels of musical organization that will keep your focus busy on all the moving parts.
LeSpecial
This list just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention LeSpecial. Pioneering, if not creating, the idea of “Deathfunk” in the jam scene, they are one of the biggest contributors to the heavier, more progressive side of our modern era jam music. Headbanging, moshable breakdowns, and an ability to swing back around into a slow creeping jam, is only one part of what makes LeSpecial them.
Evanoff
Quickly rising in popularity and testing the parameters of jamtronica, Evanoff does an elegant tightrope walk between the two sides, respectfully showing they can swing from world to world and make it look easy. Doing dreamy covers of electronic music before strolling into indie elements and back, Evanoff has been able to hit a sweet spot for a lot of folks lately and just makes sense for a Sonic Bloom lineup.
Tierro Band
A supergroup built of Charles Parker Mertens from Thievery Corporation, Jonny Jyemo of Jyemo Club, tabla adept Nabin Shrestha, folk fiddler Bridget Law of Elephant Revival, and Tierro Lee from Kan’nal and lead guitarist for blues-legend Otis Taylor. Tierro Band cultivates a bluegrass/rock sound that covers itself and swings around with eastern folk influence while owning the captivating energy of a rock ballad.
Banshee Tree
An Indie rock band disguised as a folkpop band, Banshee Tree drifts between the best of both worlds. From breezy melodies written to vocals, the smooth endearing transitions into raw jams and back into jazzy dreampop stuff wraps arounds itself in a way that comes off so right.
Melody Lines
For what at its heart is jamtronica, the broad range of expression and genre crossing of Melody Lines is exceptional. Jam, trip hop, and the list of influences goes on. In every form they present in, a mystical aura floats in the weave of synth work while they incorporate otherworldly soundscapes.
Shuj Roswell Live
A self labeled sound as Funktronidelic, Shuj Roswell samples jazz, soul, and hip hop beats from decades past to refine dreamy vinyl era melodies with live horns and drums to stir up a bouncy flavor of live electronica. Having released the debut album on Michael Menarts Super Best Records label in 2015, Mark A. Cooley’s musical baby has pushing pushing and growing the sound since. His set will be accompanied by Mike Chiesa on saxophone, his brother Jimmy Chiesa on trumpet.
Zilla
Like gazing into the clouds on a temperate day in the jungle, Zillas music transports you to a calming otherworldly place, of gentle yet ethereal mystery. Having worked with Michael Travis of The String Cheese Incident, the cradling influence and sense of serenity that hangs in the music while the rest of the band veers in and out of dubby soundscape-esq territory should be incredibly interesting.
Dizgo
Dishing out lavish vibes, Dizgos bluesy jams bring you into deep space with no turbulence. Veterans of jam music, the trio nails the core of the sound with warm familiar grooves. Fans of any type of spacerock should not miss their set.
