The Brooklyn-based Escaper is on the precipice of releasing their debut album, Skeleton Key, via Ropeadope Records. Comprised of guitarist Will Hanza, drummer Andrew Nesbitt, bassist Jay Giacomazzo, keyboardist Adam Ahuja and saxophonist Johnny Butler, the group’s members have previously played with Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Breakneck Boys, and even Beyonce, while as a unit, they’ve supported acts such as Aqueous, Jimkata, and others.

Together, Escaper is an open-minded musical project, flirting with the title of jam band and thriving without the limiting confines of a specific genre. As guitarist and bandleader Will Hanza notes, “The term ‘jam’ can be a loaded one, but the idea of having some concrete ideas yet still allowing the music to be open and flowing to take advantage of the moment is really important to us.” This flow is captured on their new album, due out May 12th, as Skeleton Key was tracked live, then perfected in the studio with the help of John Davis (Lettuce, Brad Mehldau, The Black Keys).

In anticipation of next month’s release of Skeleton Key, Escaper has been kind enough to share a brand new single off the album. The song is called “Mutiny,” a track that oscillates between grandiose and expansive and precise and jazzy, all the while maintaining a danceable, forward-thinking beat throughout. In describing the track, the band explained the idea behind the song, “The definition of ‘Mutiny’ is ‘an open rebellion against the proper authorities.’ While this can have a dark connotation, on occasion, the ‘proper authorities’ act in such a way that is a great detriment to the people. Who will watch the watchmen? It’s up to us, the people. Sometimes, the authorities abuse their power and the people must rise up in rebellion.”

You can listen to the Live For Live Music premiere of Escaper’s “Mutiny” below. If you like what you hear, their new album Skeleton Key goes on pre-sale today and can be purchased via the band’s Bandcamp here. You can join Escaper in celebrating the release of this new album on May 12th at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 in New York City for their album release party, or check out the group’s upcoming tour dates below to catch them in the Northeast sometime this summer.

[Photo courtesy of Bryan Edward of Sobokeh]

Escaper 2017 Upcoming Tour Dates:

4/21 – Nyack, NY – Olive’s

5/6 – Bridgeport, CT – Bryac

5/12 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 *

5/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Ortlieb’s

6/23 – New Haven, CT – Stella Blues

7/26 – New York, NY – American Beauty​ ^​

7/28 – New Paltz, NY – Snugs

* Skeleton Key release show

​^ Phish Baker’s Dozen Pre-Party