3/31 Papadosio, ESP and Modern Robot @ The Blind Tiger, Greensboro, NC

  Having had so much fun on my first trip to Greensboro and The Blind Tiger, it was a no-brainer to head back out west to see Papadosio with ESP and Modern Robot.
  The music began with Modern Robot, which is an improv duo of Ben Singer on keyboards and Kyle Poehling on drums.  The band plays shows to a chosen film from public domain (according to their website, "These are often ephemeral films: films created for sales reps, instructional films, industry films, and the like").  They record these one-of-a-kind improvisations, then re-marry their live audio with the film and post it to their website. Yes, very unique indeed.

  Next, Electric Soul Pandemic (ESP), a local Greensboro rock, funk group, took to the stage with a high-energy set. ESP has been tapping into the NC scene for a couple years now and are really starting to gel nicely as musicians. Always a fun set!

• Jay Beverly (keyboards lead vocals)
• Casey Cranford ( Saxophone)
• Derek Cobb (Lead Guitar Vocals)
• Randy Elliott ( guitar)
• Scott Nichols ( Bass)
• Ralphael Schiavone ( percussion )

  Papadosio is quickly making an impact nationally with their own brand of jamtronica fusion. Their music is highly infectious and danceable, and certainly makes it difficult for me to photograph: I just want to dance! Their touring schedule includes many east coast and midwest major festival dates, so be sure to catch them in a town near you. Really... this is a can't miss show.

LIVE AUDIO

FULL PHOTO GALLERY

Mike Healy | Drums
Rob McConnell | Bass/Vocal
Anthony Thogmartin | Guitar/Vocal/Keys/Programming
Billy Brouse | Keys
Sam Brouse | Keys

papadosio.com

Funkuponya @ The Starlight Cafe 2/25... Greenville Gets Funked.

Funkuponya is a jazz/funk quartet from Raleigh and play at a musical caliber that far exceeds the norm for Greenville.  It was exciting to have them here, and exciting to think that Greenville may once again be in a position to host a more expansive live scene.  As the evening crowd filtered out of The Starlight Cafe and the funksters moved in, Funkuponya warmed up with some cool mellow dinner jazz.  This was promptly followed by a couple sets of the louder and funkier variety that included jazz and funk recent classics such as Robert Walter's "Adelita" and Galactic's "Go Go."  Between the unique covers, the band's originals stand out.  The band does openly admit to finding much creative inspiration in songwriting from food ("Mixed Greens" and "The Garlic"), but also have ventured towards inspiration from a higher power with the revival-inducing "Sacred Secret."  The gospel rollicker also includes a strong Dead-esque "Lovelight" tease that comes as a welcome surprise.  Although they base their musical directions in funk and jazz, it is easy to see in the live setting that they are four outstanding musicians that span genres. So the next time they are here in Greenville, or in whatever town you are in, be sure to look for some Funkuponya!

FUNKUPONYA is:
      Doug Carter (guitar)
      Carl Blackwell (drums)
      Brian Werner (organ and keys)
      Leo Kishore (bass)

www.FUNKUPONYA.com