The Sunday Night Get Down - The Motet

Photos by: Molly Buckiewicz (https://www.mojophotography.org/)

Listen to the Motet's Latest album:

<a href="http://themotet.bandcamp.com/album/death-or-devotion">Death Or Devotion by The Motet</a>

Concert Review

Writing by: Greg Powell

Hailing from Colorado, The Motet has gathered a cult following over the last few years and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. I remember seeing them for the first time at their annual, Halloween mountain show and having it be the highlight of my year. I felt like I was in a time warp back to the funk era. It was refreshing to hear such a passionate tribute to old school funk, performed with such energy and raw musicianship. It was obvious at the time that they were in a league of their own, demanding a larger stage and much-deserved recognition. Since then they have released several albums, built a devoted fan base and worked their way up to be Red Rocks headliners.

Sunday’s show at the Midtown Ballroom in Bend, OR was one for the books. The venue was packed early with excited fans ready for a night of shameless dancing. The opener, John Medeski’s Mad Skillet, got things warmed up quickly with their jazz-influenced jams. Medeski was a master on the keyboards and the use of a Sousaphone as their bass instrument really added another element to the performance.

By the time The Motet took the stage the whole crowd was ready to move. They eased into their set with the lights turned low and an instrumental jam. Lead singer Lyle Divinsky jumped on stage and the band dropped into a hard-hitting single from their new album. People of all ages and backgrounds crowded the front, ready to let loose. The band built more energy the longer they played and were able to streamline their set, with minimal downtime between songs. There are not many groups that can start a party with the opening song and keep the crowd dancing hard through their encore.

Their latest release, Death or Devotion, is a 10-track studio album, released via their own music label. It is a well-rounded compilation of catchy singles and badass funk tunes. Make sure to give it a listen and stay up to date on The Motet’s upcoming tour dates, most notably July 12th when they will be back at Red Rocks with Galactic for another rowdy night of music and good times.

For more check out our podcast episode with Dave Watts, the founder of the Motet.

A Solstice Shakedown

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.

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.

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.

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.

Written by: Greg Powell

Photography by: Molly Buckiewicz