NYS Music 20​14

Tag: Big Mean Sound Machine

  • Hearing Aide: Big Mean Sound Machine ‘Contraband’

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    Big Mean Sound Machine‘s third album Contraband was released earlier this year and has slowly been gaining traction throughout the state. Hailing from Ithaca, Big Mean Sound Machine has continuously broadened their sound with each new release. The opener “In the Name of What?” is a throwback to the Stax era sound of 70’s funk and soul. From the Shaft-esque guitar holding down the background of the song right to the horns that guide the track through its seven minute journey. From the get go, Contraband lets you know that you’re going to want to move your body while listening to the record.

    The band hits its’ groove during “Woah Gosh” and “Junkies Everywhere”. “Woah Gosh” constantly builds as the horns and the Moog synthesizers play off one another to see who can lead the track to its eventual transition into the “Junkies Everywhere” that is steeped in Afrobeat and jazz. The drums and congas really get a chance to shine about halfway through the track as the Moog searchers around in the back keeping a beautiful tension and making the track sound dangerous. You get the feel of walking the streets in a city late at night as those who are up to no good are coming out of their homes searching for their next score.

    The title track comes late in the album but is one that definitely could take off in the live setting. The quick guitar and bass riffs that drive the track forward will definitely get people moving and grooving on the floor. The band is at its tightest here of the whole album. The closer, “Wolfpack” brings the album to a delightful end with a song that could be in a Quentin Tarantino film scoring a scene perfectly. Contraband is great throwback album, yet Big Mean Sound Machine did a great job of updating that sound and making it their own. Be sure to catch them in New York this fall and head on over to their Bandcamp page to purchase the album.

    Key Tracks: In the Name of What?, Wolfpack, Junkies Everywhere

  • Road to Backwoods: Big Mean Sound Machine

    Less than a week until Backwoods Pondfest ignites Upstate, NY with two days and nights of music filled fun. Backwoods offers plenty of live music, car camping, art and much more on August 8-9th,  in the beautiful Adirondack North Country. After 8 years, Backwoods knows how to book a kick ass lineup with acts like  Chali 2na and House of Vibe, Lucid, Spiritual Rez, Alan Evans Playonbrother, Cabinet, and many more.

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    Our “Road to Backwoods” series continues with a look at Big Mean Sound Machine from Ithaca, NY. The band is comprised of over a dozen musicians that create a larger than life genre fusing symphony for the mind and body. Their live performances are a high energy afro-funk fest, as their studio work is crisp with tight experimental sonic grooves. Big Mean Sound Machine will be performing this Saturday August 2nd at Seed Stock which takes place at Reeds Seeds in Cortland, NY. The rain or shine all-day event is $20 for 15 bands with music starting at 10:45am and Big Mean Sound Machine at 7:30pm on the Front Stage. Their latest album, Contraband is available for free stream on Facebook or as a digital download for $7, cd for $10 and even vinyl for $20. Get familiar with the fierce and funky machine when they hit the main stage Friday at 5 at Backwoods Pondfest.

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    Tickets are still available for Backwoods Pondfest and can be purchased on their website here or at any show featuring Lucid, The Garcia Project, Capital Zen and North Funktree. Tickets are only $70 including over 20 bands on 2 stages with 2 nights of car camping. Bring a non-perishible good and receive $5 off ticket price if you buy tickets Day of Show. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter for more to come from out “Road to Backwoods” series.

  • The Chronicles End Their January Red Square Residency

    With three weeks under their belts, The Chronicles finished up their residency at Red Square on January 30th with a great set of music honoring the late J Dilla as well as some of their own music.  Starting the evening off was Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine.

    The band stays true to their name, with everyone barely fitting on Red Square’s stage and blowing the audience away with music power that is seen so rarely.  The funky numbers they played showcased each member’s talents flawlessly.  The three person horn section was strong throughout the performance, leading most tunes along with the drums, bass, and congas.  Both the guitars and the keyboards are used more as filler than as leads like they are in most bands.  It gives the band a unique sound that should be enjoyable to everyone, and with a new album coming out in June, it is looking like a big year is coming for Big Mean Sound Machine.

    20140130 - The Chronicles 4

    The Chronicles came out after a short break and tore through a set that included guest JB for the J Dilla portion of the set.  J Dilla is of course best known for the producing he did on many amazing hip hop tunes throughout the 90s until his death in 2006.  JB flawlessly rapped over the music and clearly enjoyed helping The Chronicles out with this special show.  “E=MC2”, “Stakes is High”, and “Fall in Love” were great highlights of the set.  Jeff Nania, who mainly plays various saxophones, even took a turn at the mic during the evening.  The Chronicles closed the night, and ran out in style with a one two punch of “Village Livin’” and “Mr. Clean.” This run let the band stretch their musical chops out to all regions of the music landscape and it suited the band well.  Hopefully Albany will see another residency down the line.

    Setlist: Time, Gobstopper, E=MC2, Move, Won’t Do, Stakes is High, Fall in Love>Think Twice>Fall in Love, Interzone, Just Knew, Strasbourg/St. Denis, Village Livin, Mr. Clean