Freio Music

Sonic Bloom 2015 – Festival Review & Photos

By Leave a Comment

 A Solstice Shakedown

DSC_0078

Sonic Bloom continues to push the boundaries of sound and artistic expression, growing each year into something larger and more meaningful.

For the past few years Sonic Bloom has been a leading name in transformational, music and arts festivals. This being its 10 year reunion, organizers and artists alike went above and beyond to make it the best year yet.  Reuniting crowd favorites and introducing new talent, the musical lineup was stacked, head to toe with must see performances.  With yoga/movement classes, quirky workshops and live visuals, this event is just as much about the art and culture as it is about the music.

DSC_0072

This years venue at Hummingbird Ranch was a refreshing new atmosphere of shady trees and creek side camping.  The forested labyrinth created great space for exploration between stages.  Hundreds of hammocks hung from the canopy above.  Art installations and hidden gems could be found behind every corner.  Yoga domes, gravity rock sculptures, and a large metal owl on fire were just a few sightings as you walked the grounds.  With larger stages and a multitude of vendors, it was great to see how fast this event is growing while at the same time keeping its small festival charm.

Untitled_Panorama1

Some musical highlights of the festival included: Desert Dweller’s live performance with aerial acrobatics by Tammy FireFly and live vocals by Meagan Chandler. Crowd pleaser STS9 played a four hour set on the main stage, mixing new tunes with old classics. The Funk Hunters brought the heat with a high energy set featuring Chali 2Na. His smooth, hip-hop vocals were a great addition to the duos funk influenced beats. The Submission stage became the place to be Sunday night with a musical journey from Kaminanda during sunset. Later in the night, Kayla Scintilla seemed to conjure a storm with his tribal sounds, while Eve Olution’s elaborate costume blew in the wind. Concluding the long weekend of incredible talent, no Sonic Bloom would be complete without a feel good set from Random Rab.

DSC_4724

With such a great lineup it was almost hard work to catch all the action.  Each stage had it’s own special ambiance and unique features to set them apart.  Geometric installations overhead provided shade during the warmer parts of the day.  At night LED backdrops and visuals illuminated the performers.  Each night offered a fresh palette of musical influences, from deep funk to the ultra psychedelic.  Sonic Bloom is truly a platform for refined music production and a cultivated cultural underground. With a sold out festival and a promising new venue the unified field may have finally found it’s home at Hummingbird Ranch.

DSC_4779

Written by: Greg Powell

Photography by: Molly Buckiewicz

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/104542719″%5D

Front Country – Concert & Album Review

By

It was the night of May 5th at Swallow Hill Music Hall in Denver, Colorado. The rain turned to sleet and the sleet turned to heavy snow. The arrival of the Californian Bluegrass band was greeted by nasty weather and a packed house filled with music lovers of all ages. The night began with Rail Splitters from Boulder, Colorado warming up the theater with their quick pick’n and melodic music.  By the time Front Country took the stage the audience was ready for steady rhythmic bluesy bluegrass.  Front Country is one of those bands who cannot be easily fit into a box or genre. They expand upon all of their individual strengths to blend, mold, and shape the sound until it’s profound.

Front Country’s songs are inspired by a range of topics including but not limited to the snowy state itself, Colorado, and an old time song about a gold mine prostitute. When Melody picks up the Kashishi she woos the crowd with her shakin’ while both Adam and Jacob trade instruments between songs to bring a new sound.

Front country’s album, Sake of the Sound, was created by a sextet (six members). Three of the six band members on the Album have jobs outside of the music industry. The momentum the band is riding keeps gaining speed, propelling that ‘Gospel Train’ around the country.  With diverse musical backgrounds, they feed off each other musically to break through traditional boundaries. They have earned University degrees studying, jazz guitar, vocals, classical guitar, and jazz bass. They have worked hard to get to where they are today and it is clearly paying off.

Sake of the Sound

Album Credits: Released 16 September 2014. Mandolin by Adam Roszkiewicz, Guitar and Vocals by Jacob Groopman, Guitar and Vocals by Melody Walker, Banjo and Vocals by Jordan Klein, Violin by Leif Karlstrom, Stand-up Bass by Zach Sharpe. Produced by Kai Welch. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom at 25th Street Recording – Oakland, CA. Mixed by Erick Jaskowiak at J Studio – Nashville, TN. Mastered by Eric Conn at Independent Mastering – Nashville, TN. All songs arranged by Front Country. Photography by Robert Perry. Album Art by Danielle Diessner

They dedicated 10 consecutive (16+ hour) days to the recording of their debut album, Sake of the Sound. While many bands struggle to find a collective sound due to their individualistic desires, Front Country is a band of stars, shining together.  Their collaborative spirit is revealed as they dynamically alter their music for maximum impact.

If you enjoy acoustical harmonies with some fast pick’n solos, this band is not one to miss. If you missed the show, the good news is that Front Country will be back in Colorado and touring the country once again in a few weeks. With stops at festivals, such as Campout for the Cause and Meadow Grass, this band is only getting started. They won a place on the main stage at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and they are on their way to a city near you.

To check the latest Front Country tour info: click here

To listen to the FreioMusic interview with Front Country:  click here

Front Country – Interview

By 1 Comment

In this exclusive artist interview, FreioMusic sat down with three members of the up and coming Bay Area band, Front Country.  Front Country’s Adam Roszkiewicz, Jacob Groopman, and Melody Walker generously shared their time and stories prior to their first ever performance in Denver, Colorado at Swallow Hill Music Hall.

To Listen, Click on the Track Below:

Front Country – Exclusive FreioMusic Interview 5/9/2015

Click to read more about the band

Click to listen to Front Country’s new album, Sake of the Sound

Envision Festival 2015

By 1 Comment

Envision Yourself Here

Envision festival is a transformational gathering that embodies much more than the average festival. Combining the traveling experience of Costa Rica’s tropical paradise with the infectious energy of the festival itself, there could not be a better platform for creativity and artistic expansion. The sold out event hosted about 6,000 attendees from all across the globe. Nestled in the coastal jungle of Uvita, the venue included both jungle and beach front scenery. Bamboo structures poked out from the trees providing climbing platforms and elevated viewing areas. Whether it was the mind-blowing decor of the festival or the relaxing sunrise and sunsets on the beach, Envision offered elements of both exploration and serenity.

DSC_3330

With deep roots in the permaculture movement, Envision’s main theme was environmental education. Thoroughly sorted garbage/recycle bins and compostable restrooms are a few examples. Before the festival kicked off, the Polish Ambassador hosted a day of permaculture action at nearby schools, planting fruit trees and discussing environmental initiatives with the local community. There was a large effort throughout the event to raise environmental awareness and introduce attendees to the importance of sustainability.

DSC_3218

Each morning started with an awakening meditation session, as all the day’s workshops began to setup. From slack-lining to power yoga, Envision’s daytime activities offered something for everyone. Children with painted faces played imaginary games and interacted with art installations. Groups gathered under the trees for workshops and yoga infused dance. Although temperatures were high during the day, the beach was a quick stroll through the lush jungle.

DSC_3348

As the sun began to set, throngs of people made their way to the beach to witness the beauty of the multi colored sky-scape and bid farewell to the day. There was a playful atmosphere of people stretching, hooping and swimming that uplifted your spirits and provided a second wind for the night to come. As darkness fell, people made their way back inside the festival to discover the new ambiance of the night.

The highlight of the nightlife was the Luna Stage. The stage design created a lasting memory; a 30ft panther made of driftwood, backed by video mapped visualizers and pyrotechnics. Discrete lighting illuminated the bamboo structures and palm trees as lasers cut their way through the canopy above. One of the best parts of the night’s entertainment was the impressive performing artists that danced, hooped and spun fire stage-side. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the next elaborate act would take stage and prove you wrong. If you ever needed a break from the big stages and crowds, smaller acts played more mellow tunes in the Village. Whether you came to see your favorite headliners or simply expand your musical palette, there seemed to be something for everyone.

DSC_3398

Envision Festival is an unforgettable experience for travelers and festival enthusiasts alike; making the venture to Costa Rica and immerging themselves in the exotic unknown.

Envision yourself here.

DSC_3459Listen

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/88712620″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Photo Gallery

Written by Greg Powell

Photography by Molly Buckiewicz

Envision 2015 Announces 1st Wave Artists

By Leave a Comment

Lineup - Phase 1

 

The International Envision Festival-Costa Rica announces first installment of their lineup for their 5th annual festival from Feb 26 – March 1, 2015.  

The first headliner announcement for the 5th annual Envision Festival-Costa Rica is here. This year’s lineup includes Groundation, Phaeleh, The Polish Ambassador, Wildlight, Emancipator, Ott, Bluetech, Random Rab, Govinda, Ill-Esha, Dimond-Saints, Stickybirds, AMB, Ayla Nereo, and saQi, with Costa Rican reggae headliner Un Rojo and Guatemala’s Los Miseria Cumbia Band. There are more acts listed below and many more to be announced!

Envision Festival-Costa Rica takes place in the enchanting jungle of Uvita, Costa Rica from February 26- March 1, 2015 and is a favorite destination for international travelers with dozens of international music and performance acts, yoga, workshops, waterfalls, surfing, jungle exploration and more.

An early peek at the yoga and workshop headliners include world-renowned yoga teachers such as Cristi Cristensen, Rachel Brathen, and Kishan Shah, art installations by Chris Dyer, Carey Thompson, and Mugwort Artemisia alongside Permaculture and Education workshops from legendary teachers such as Penny Livingston, Daniel Pinchbeck from Reality Sandwich, Charles Eisenstien, Sarah Wu, plus permaculturist and Envision co-founder, Stephen Brooks.

The full lineup of musicians, performers, teachers, and artists will be announced mid-November.

Check out the newly launched Envision website with interactive site map, early line-up, survival guide, and travel information. Then take a peek into the Envision mystique and be inspired by this newly released “Vive La Experiencia!” video.

Envision’s unique gathering offers so much for the adventurous travelers.  Dance under the stars, paddle into the surf, explore waterfalls and lush canopies, camp in the jungle, be inspired by live art installations, and learn something new at a life changing workshop.

With the collaboration of a myriad of renowned artists and visionaries, both local and international, Envision provides a multi-dimensional community forum focused on art, music, movement, education and co-creation.  Be part of a global eco-conscious movement that is shaping our future and experience the beauty of the landscape, healing undertones, artistic expression, and the “Pura Vida!” way of life.  This is Envision Festival.

Stay tuned for more announcements on music, yoga, speakers, and workshops. Early Bird discount tickets are on sale now and will sell out quickly.

Please visit the Envision website and links below to find out more.  Pura Vida!

http://www.2015.envisionfestival.com/

 

Envision Media Links:

Envision Instagram

Envision Facebook

Envision Website

Envision Ticketing

Envision Travel Info

Envision Newsletter

 

Phase 1 Lineup Below – Phase 2 coming soon!

 

Music: The Polish Ambassador * Wildlight * Groundation * Phaeleh * Emancipator * Ott * Bluetech * Random Rab and friends * Ayla Nereo * Govinda * Ill-esha * Dimond Saints * Faceblind * Los Miseria Cumbia Band * Un Rojo * saQi * AMB * Stickybuds * Santos y Zurdo * Passiflora * Infibeat * Ivan Cespedes * Lapa * Portilla * Living Light * Mikey Lion * Melissa O * Social Club * Bartosz Brenes * Mario Miranda* Tara Brooks *  Matt Haze* PjOE * aTyYa *

 

Yoga Instruction: Cristi Cristensen * Rachel Brathen * Kishan Shah * Esteban Salazar * Juan Pablo Barahona * Edgar Ortiz * Inez Aires

 

Art & Installations: Chris Dyer * Carey Thompson * Mugwort Artemisia * Mark Henson * Hoodie & Tigre * Tribe13 * Living Spaces

 

Permaculture & Education: Penny Livingston * Charles Eisenstien * Sarah Wu * Stephen Brooks * Daniel Pinchbeck * Rosemary Gladstar * Project Nuevo Mundo * Kaypacha

 

About Envision Festival-Costa Rica:

In just four years, Envision has blossomed from a backyard event into an internationally acclaimed community gathering.  Envision is continuing its journey to break down cultural barriers, representing an elevated festival experience of spirit and community.  By bringing people together in the lush landscape of Costa Rica, Envision offers opportunities to celebrate the spirit, heal our bodies and minds, and revitalize our souls. Be a part of a global movement that is destined to shape our global future while experiencing the beauty of the landscape, healing undertones, artistic expression, and the “Pura Vida!” way of life.  This is Envision Festival.

 

The Confluence

 

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/59577470″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Arise 2014 Video

By Leave a Comment

Official FreioMusic Arise Festival 2014 Video

Arise Festival 2014 in Loveland, Colorado. Freio Music’s talented team captures the cultural gathering with energy with style. Arise Festival features artists from across the musical spectrum. Share it. Enjoy it. See you next year!

Credits:
Produced by Freio Music

Directed by Joe Morahan & Daniel “Buddy” Thomas

DP by Daniel “Buddy” Thomas
Editing by Daniel “Buddy” Thomas

Time-Lapse Photography by
Melissa Harrison, Isaiah ‘Scott’ Brown, & Michael Morahan

Music by
Polish Ambassador

Arise Festival At SunRise Ranch

Arise Festival 2014 in Photos

By Leave a Comment

Arise 2014

By Leave a Comment

The 2nd Annual Arise Music Festival:

By the time the gates were finally open, the energy began to pick up.  With the people came art, laughter, color and flavor.  As the camping area began to fill up it was clear that this year was much larger than last.  The same beautiful location shared by thousands of new attendees.  With ‘dualing stages’, two stages set up right next to each other intended to minimize musical downtime, the music continued and the crowd stayed close.  The electronic stage, Souls Rising, had a stacked lineup of talented young and established acts.  The energy by Souls Rising stage kept a steady group of dancing bass faces content.  While the Souls Rising stage was considerably smaller than the other two main musical stages, it was the destination for many festival goers and it delivered.  The stage and surrounding area was decorated ornately from the lasers beaming around the ground to the CDs hanging reflectively from the trees.

 

Photo taken by Molly ‘Mojo’ Buckiewicz

 

This year’s attendance appeared to be at least double, possibly triple, the previous year’s attendance.  The festival was prepared and there was ample water, food, and portable toilets.   The vender village was one of a kind with an array of smells coming from the food stands, and an array of colors coming from the vender stands.  Artists are now migrating to Arise festival from all over the USA, contributing to its colorful diversity.  Arise is Colorado’s best and most diverse music festival.

Once again SunRise Ranch played the role of the gracious host and one can only hope that they received the support and recognition they deserve for sharing the incredible valley to all of us who attend.  With out the support of SunRise Ranch this event would not be possible in its current form.  The artists also deserve a huge shoutout for making the experience what it was, and sharing ideas, thoughts, and emotions through their sound and visions. Equally the fan, the festival goer, the music lover, the ‘escape the 9-5 artist’, anyone who attended a festival, deserves a huge thank you.  With out listeners how could music work?  It is you who make this possible and for that all of us here at FreioMusic, Thank You!

 

 

 

Top 5 Moments of Unexpected Sonic Perfection at Sonic Bloom ’14

By 1 Comment

Sonic Bloom 2014-American Safari Ranch

DSC_0160-1024x694
Daytime at the CO Dome

My favorite part about music festivals is discovering new artists to incorporate into my daily repertoire of jams. While I was beyond stoked for some of my highly anticipated favorites like Opiuo, the reigning king of future funk, Kalya Scintilla’s sweaty tribal inspired bass, or Tipper’s careful dissection and rearrangement of the contents of my brain with the scratching mastery of a surgeon, these were all very predictable (and immensely enjoyed) highlights of my weekend. My most authentic musical experiences of Sonic Bloom came from the unexpected sets and unfamiliar artists that I have not had the chance to fully explore and appreciate. Whether the artists were newer cats on the scene or seasoned veterans to which I simply hadn’t yet been exposed, I came back from Bloom with an inspired and expanded understanding of some of the dopest jams to ever rattle my eardrums.

1. Mr. Bill

Okay, Mr. Bill is certainly no newcomer on the scene. Prior to Bloom I was familiar with Mr. Bill’s status as a veteran of the rich Australian glitch movement. My expectations were absolutely blown out of the water after, what was easily, my favorite set of the weekend. Late Sunday night in the middle of the dusty and heavy vibin’ coDome audience, I found myself wondering how something so unconventionally melodic can get a crowd moving so hard. Mr. Bill’s heavy bass lines, break beat switches and a cornucopia of strange tunes and tones meld together into an unpredictably perfect stew of glitch perfection.

Mr. Bill will be holding down the Souls Rising EDM stage at Arise Music Festival August 8-10th this year in Loveland, CO for what will surely be another set not to miss.

DSC_0186-1024x694 copy

 

2. The Librarian

I took a leap of faith on Friday night as we left Tipper’s downtempo set in search of something to get my booty shaking a bit more. We encountered what I quickly realized to be one of the baddest bitches of bass, Andrea Graham, throwing down a super sexy low-end set that had me floating on a cloud of sweet, sweet ghetto booty bass. The Librarian’s nuanced, sexy bass stood out from the overtly raw and in your face bass that tends to dominate the scene. Her riddim inspired jams and seriously hard drops that got the crowd moving for one of the greatest booty bass grooves of the weekend.

The Librarian is also a founding organizer of Bass Coast and will be playing this August 1-4th in Merritt, British Columbia.

 

3. Sixis

If you know me, you know that I am a serious sucker for smooth psychedelic dubby sounds that seem more likely to be alien transmissions than creations from the human kind. When I cruised over to Sixis’s midday Friday set, I didn’t know much about his music and was just looking for a solid warm-up for the stacked schedule with the future glitch goodness of kLL sMTH, Fort Knox Five and then onto the highly anticipated psychedelic trance-inspired Aussie master Whitebear. But when I got to the dusty coDome, I was totally blown away by Sixis’s melodic, spacious and layered sounds. In an increasingly saturated psy-bass scene, Sixis stood out with his consciously more minimal, understated approach to interplanetary auditory travel. Sixis created intricate, imaginative soundscapes that resonated in my ears for the rest of the weekend.

Up next, Sixis will be playing at Stilldream Festival in Belden, California July 31st- August 4th.

4. Defunk

If you don’t know of Defunk yet, you better educate yourself! Canada native Defunk dropped one of the funkiest sets of the weekend for a serious dance party in the coDome late Saturday afternoon. Addicting hooks, glitchy breaks, and inspired retro influences drive his music in a future forward way. Collaborations with soulful female vocalists and looping guitarist Sam Klass gives Defunk’s glitchy tunes a sense of soulful authenticity.

Catch Defunk at the Valhalla Sound Circus this Thursday, July 3rd in Quebec.

DSC_0141-1024x694 copy

5. The Malah

Live electronic artists The Malah brought their A-game to wrap up the first evening of Bloom in a most epic fashion. Intricate, precise guitar licks and organic high-energy rhythms create a driven sound that got the coDome moving and grooving along properly. I thought their jam-inspired approach was a refreshing addition to Bloom’s bass heavy lineup, and by the infectious buzz from the crowd on Thursday night I’m certain they all agreed.

The Malah doesn’t have any immediate shows coming up but the Denver-local band is surely not one to miss when they come through your town.

DSC_05051-1024x694 copy

Sonic Bloom 2014

By 1 Comment

 The Unified Field

 

The 9th annual Sonic Bloom music festival took place over the weekend of July 19-22nd in the airy high desert of South Park, Colorado. The site, fully encompassed by the Rocky Mountains, created a beautiful backdrop of breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that lit up the numerous stages.

DSC_0124-1024x601

As usual, Bloom offered a plethora of experiences for every attendee. Music was continuously playing at various stages with the highest quality of sound. Workshops covering hooping, massage, dance, yoga, and many others were available and well attended. Outstanding visuals met the eye everywhere you looked, ready to be soaked in and admired, whether it be a performance, installation, or projection.

DSC_0252-1024x635 copy

 

 The weekend had much to offer, but you would have to have been a super human to experience it all!

Here are some highlights from throughout the weekend.

1. TWO nights of Tipper!! (not enough)
2. The Three Stages
–The Bloom Stage with the Funktion-One sound system and the massive LED screen backdrop.
–The Hummingbird Stage with the spinning woodcut mandala and unique handcrafted details.
–The CO Dome with its intimate feel and psychedelic projections by Illuminated Dimensions.
3.Surprise sunrise set by Kalya Scintilla and Kaminanda with an epic pink sunrise.
4. OPIOU.
5. Whitebear making everything so dark and weird at only 7PM, when the sun was still shining.
6. Kaminanda playing guitar live for the first and only time in Colorado, then busting out a cover of Grateful Dead-Shakedown Street.
7. The captivating “flower-dance-presentations” by Anthony Ward all weekend.
8. The Gong Experience that vibrates into your soul.
9. Quixotic’s unbelievably talented performers.
10. Looking around and realizing you love everyone and everything you are surrounded by!