In just a few short weeks, the Rootwire Transformational Arts Festival (http://www.rootwirefest.com) takes place in beautiful Terra Alta, WV. From July 17-20, Rootwire will live and breathe all things artistic. Aside from headlining performances from artists like Tipper and Shpongle, the festival features visual art, performing arts, and a vibrant artistic community. For creative-minded people, Rootwire is definitely the place to be.
Naturally, being a blog that lives for live music, we had to share some of our favorite musical picks from this staggered lineup. Purchase tickets for Rootwire here.
1. Beats Antique
Bringing an intoxicating blend of live and electronica music, this band is perhaps best known for their live performances. Complete with belly dancers, this exotic band is nothing short of magnificent. Their music seamlessly merges western and eastern influences, dabbling in eastern minor scales yet remaining grounded in familiar rhythms and intriguing dance patterns. Intense, passionate, and certainly unique, Beats Antique never fails to dazzle an audience.
2. EOTO
Comprised of String Cheese Incident percussionists Michael Travis and Jason Hann, EOTO formed as a side project in 2006 and has taken on new life since that initial performance. The duo utilizes looper pedals, synthesized effects, and live drumming to deliver a one-of-a-kind sonic experience. The band also incorporates the work of video jockeys to produce visualizer images to accompany their live music. When EOTO hits the stage, expect an other-worldly dance music experience, with expert musicianship that grinds out groovy beats throughout.
3. Pimps of Joytime
These Brooklyn-based funk masters live true to their name, they are indeed the pimps of joytime. Bringing a funky fresh sound like no other, PTJ incorporate funk and DJ production influences to produce an absolutely unique and outrageous live music experience. They always get the party started, and after a couple months off the road, their tour-opening performance at Rootwire is bound to be thoroughly energetic. Yeah, this ensemble is nothing but a good time.
4. Random Rab
Random Rab provides a sonic exploration unlike any other, delving into deep trance melodies with heavy beats. Touring with dance-music heavyweights like Bassnectar and Shpongle, Random Rab has evolved into a beautiful musical entity. Perhaps it is Rab’s intimate familiarity with the music scene, having played trumpet, bass, and providing lead vocals for several bands along the way. And, according to his website, Random Rab’s “live experience is focused on a high quality translation of sound that is simultaneously sexy and psychedelic.” Sounds great to us!
5. Govinda
A classically trained violinist, Govinda mystically applies his theoretical training to electronic music, and the result is nothing short of entrancing. Performing at numerous festivals (including Coachella, SXSW, and more), Govinda has developed a loyal following. Understandably so, as anyone who can successfully manipulate Ableton Live and a violin on stage deserves an audience. His live performances also incorporate live dancers and stunning visual effects, which catapult audience energy to their limits. Check out this song “Sonic Muse,” and you’ll see what we mean:
Looking forward to the Rootwire Transformational Arts Festival on July 17th!
-David Melamed (@DMelamz)