New collaborative jam project Katharsis is coming out of the gates with a purpose, as is evidenced by the release of their third, and latest, single “Rise Up Lights.” The group, consisting of drummer Dave Watts (The Motet), keyboardist Todd Stoops (RAQ / Electric Beethoven), bassist Chuck Jones (Dopapod), and guitarist Marcus Rezak (Digital Tape Machine) is getting ready for a 3-night run in Colorado beginning tonight with a free show at Frisco’s Barkley Ballroom. The group will support G. Love & Special Sauce on Thursday night (9/28) at Fort Collins’ Aggie Theatre, with a final show on Friday night (9/29) in Denver at Cervantes.

Katharsis

With some percussive afrobeat rhythmic groundwork laid out by Watts and Jones, Stoops provides some psychedelic flourishes on keys, allowing Rezak to take the lead on guitar and elevate things to the next level. While the funk is ever-present on the first three tracks Katharsis has delivered, “Rise Up Lights” raises the bar even higher for what we can expect out of this new project of seasoned veterans in the live setting. Over the coming weeks, the band plans on continuously releasing additional music that they have written via the singles format. We caught up with Marcus Rezak to discuss the latest single release and upcoming shows

“‘Rise up Lights’, when pronounced with an Australian accent is ‘razor blades.’ This track represents our psychedelic edge, incorporating funky grooves and colorful sonic landscapes. Each track release is trending harder amongst fans and musicians with many more in the pipeline. RUL starts out with a funk Afro Cuban groove immediately starting the dance party. Halfway through this track we reach a deep trance improv section, and things start to get serious… people can expect a lot of this style live, reminiscent of early Motet jamtronica style with an enhanced modernized style (2:50). Combining live instrumentation with Ableton production and liquid projection visuals, our sound and live experience is completely unique concert experience throwing back to elements of the 60’s psychedelic movement and current music styles.”

Rezak continued on the Colorado run, which begins tonight, followed by the Chicago show next week, “The upcoming shows in Colorado and Chicago are poised as a launchpad for many tours and festival plays to come in 2018. Music fans can expect extended psychedelic jams, heavy funk and edm drum grooves, shredding guitar licks with spacey sonic landscapes, sub sonic bass propulsion, glistening synth pads and leads. Jamming and composing with this group has been a huge breath of fresh air for all of us. When we are on stage there is synergy. We function as a moving unit building improvs together reaching new heights of exploration. We trust each other and that usually takes a long time for a band, but our chemistry is just right for us to take flight!”

Take a listen to “Rise Up Lights” below:

Katharsis Tour Dates
9.27   The Barkley Ballroom | Frisco, CO (FREE – tix)
9.28   Aggie Theatre | Fort Collins, CO (tix) *
9.29   Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom | Denver, CO (tix)
10.5.  Emporium Arcade | Chicago, IL (tix)

* support for G. Love & Special Sauce

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