Space rock outfit blending funk, rock jazz and fusion, Escaper will release their sophomore effort, Edge Detection on February 23rd 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.”
As with their first album (Skeleton Key), the band recorded the songs live at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, NY with co-producer John Davis (Lettuce, Brad Mehldau, Black Keys). The album was recorded over the course of two days with all five band members playing together simultaneously, while in isolated rooms. Recording this way helped capture the great live synergy between the players which you can witness during their performances. Their live sets tend to be open with many in-the-moment improvisational aspects, and this essence was not lost during the studio recordings.
The band was recently invited by YouTube to perform at their YouTube Space New York located above Chelsea Market in Manhattan. Live For Live Music is thrilled to share the recording of “Hands Up” from the YouTube session, which will be featured on their upcoming album. Enjoy!
Head to Escaper’s website for more information.
The album is available for pre-order as of today right here. With the pre-order you get to download the studio version of “Hands Up” from the upcoming album!
[Video production by Chris Capaci with assistance by Will Schwerd and Dani Mari.]