Dopapod brought it’s Best Friends Tour to Essex in Rochester on Tuesday, December 3.
About a month away from their last shows before an indefinite hiatus, guitarist Rob Compa brought the band to his hometown for a throwdown at the newish venue, Essex. Before the show, Rob asked the crowd if they wanted one long set or two, and of course the crowd voted for the usual jamband two set format. The band warmed the crowd from the frigid cold with a heater of a first set before bringing out their ex-employee, Goose’s Peter Anspach. Anspach first shredded guitar on “Nuggy Jawson” before jumping on keys for the set closer, “Indian Grits.”
Dopapod leaned heavy on the classics for set two, including versions of “8 Years Ended,” “Bubble Brain” and a Zappa cover in the middle of a song, “FABA” > “I Am The Slime” > “FABA.” They brought up Anspach again for the encore, and he helped them with “Best Friends” and “Runny” for the encore.
Dopapod next head west to Colorado, before wrapping up the year in the Midwest. They are playing their final shows on New Year’s Eve in Columbus, Ohio, so catch them if you can.
Dopapod – Essex, Rochester, NY – Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Set 1: Welcome to Paradise, Draculas Monk> Nerds> Two Somebodies> Nerds, Wizzy, Turn By Turn*, Metal Nuggy Jawson^, Indian Grits$ Set 2: Cloud World, 8 Years Ended, Brand New Home, Test of Time, Bubblebrain, FABA> I Am The Slime> FABA Encore: Best Friends#, Runny^
* MGMT Kids tease ^ Peter Anspach on Guitar $ Peter Anspach on Keys # Peter Anspach on Vocals and Guitar
On the heels of a performance in Saranac Lake this weekend, jam band stalwarts since 2008, Dopapod, have announced an indefinite hiatus, beginning at the end of 2024.
The group also announced âBest Friends 2024â Fall Tour dates, with more to be announced.
Shared on the band’s social media channels, the band’s message stated:
To our family, friends, and fans:
Before we get into the details and such, we’ll just get right to the point: Starting in 2025, Dopapod will no longer be touring, recording, or writing for the foreseeable future.
The last sixteen years have been an unbelievable adventure. We really did get to experience the whole spectrum of having a full time, professional touring band. To paraphrase Homer Simpson: âThe dizzying highs, the crushing lows, the creaaaaamy center.â All of it, the highs, lows, and everything in between has been an absolute treasure trove of life and learning experiences.
However, the price we have paid mentally, financially, physically and otherwise can no longer be ignored. We feel deep down in our guts and our hearts that this is the best possible thing not for the band, but for four dudes who truly love each other and want the best for each other. And to be clear, our families have always offered full support of this lifestyle and did not play a role in this decision. The touring life has never been easy and it seems to be getting more difficult. We send our love to all the artists/crew that put so much of their heart and soul into making live music possible.
Coincidence or not, we did say when we took our last break that we were inspired by an article where a company would take a sabbatical every 7 years, and it’s been 7. Plus, in 2017 we had a full solar eclipse and this year we had another. Regardless of all that, we are treating this as an indefinite hiatus.
We love you all and have endless appreciation for this journey and everyone who has enjoyed the music weâve put out into the world this last decade and a half. In the meantime, we will continue to play tons of shows through the remainder of 2024, including all of these âBest Friends 2024â fall tour dates in addition to the already announced summer dates. So come see us while you can. We fully intend on giving you the best shows we can possibly deliver, and savoring every second of it.
With immense love and gratitude,
Eli, Rob, Chuck and Neal,
dopapod.
While a surprise to many of the broader Dopasquad fanbase, artists are finding it tougher to be on the road financially, as well as the burden of touring consistently. Bands including Aqueous, Ghost Light, Baked Shrimp, and CBDB have all called it a day since 2021, many citing the costs of touring and the personnel that go with it, while others (Twiddle and Turkuaz in particular) see variations of the original lineup continuing on (Mihali, Cool Cool Cool, respectively).
Dopapod joining this fraternity – one that could be found gracing the lineups of numerous festivals in the past decade (Catskill Chill, among others) – is a symptom of the post-pandemic world where costs are higher, even if audiences are coming out to see and support artists.
Photo by: Andy Hill Dopapod at Catskill Chill 2014
Dopapod formed at Berklee College College of Music in Boston in 2008, with Eli Windermand and future Turkuaz drummer Michelangelo Carubba as a duo. Later, Rochester native Rob Compa joined the band, adding in Chuck Jones on bass and Neal Evans on percussion, shifting to drums when Carubba joined Turkuaz. Scotty Zwang replaced Evans from 2013-16 behind the kit.
NYS Music has covered Dopapod countless times in the past decade, from show reviews, interviews with band members, to reviews of many of the group’s palindromic albums – Radar, Drawn Onward, Redivider, Never Odd or Even, Megagem,Emit Time,Dopapod, and 2024 releases Aiboh and Phobia (combined, aibohphobia is the fear of palindromes). We wish the band members the best through their remaining shows and what lays ahead.
photo by Filip Zalewski
The band will continue to tour this summer, including a show at The Waterhole in Saranac Lake on Friday, June 21, Great South Bay Festival on July 20, and Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on September 13. Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 20 at Dopapod.com.
On June 21, fans can join Dopapod and Raisinhead at the Waterhole Music Lounge in Saranac Lake, NY, as they kick off their Summer 2024 tour.
Formed in 2008 at the Berklee College of Music, Dopapod contains four members: Eli Winderman (keys, vocals), Rob Compa (guitar, vocals), Chuck Jones (bass), and Neal âFroâ Evans (drums). Originally, the band was only made up of two members: Winderman and fellow Berklee student Michaelangelo Carubba, who played drums. The duo performed in several venues around Boston for a year, before adding Rob Compa on guitar. For the next two years, Dopapod performed as a trio. In 2010, Neal Evans became the official drummer after Carubba’s departure.
Since then, Dopapod has provided an otherworldly live experience to each of their shows. The group draws inspiration from multiple genres, including funk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and electronica. This combination of these genres has provided Dopapod with the ability to fully engross their audience in their storytelling. Their last self-titled album, released in 2022, is no exception. Stories about traversing time travel, palindromic labyrinths, and a greater cohesive mystery bind the band’s discography into one psychedelic and entertaining experience.
In regards to the buzz for their latest tour, Winderman is on the record saying, âWeâre a live band. The songs are the vehicle for us to just express ourselves with the improv. Thatâs the main focus: to be in the present moment with each other, listening to each other, and creating on the spot. We love being on the tightrope and taking risks.”
Joining Dopapod on their tour is special guest Raisinhead. Since 2001, Raisinhead has committed to sticking to the roots of music through improvisation. The band consists of lead singer and guitarist Rob Beaulieu, Ted Grey (Guitar, Vocals), Brian Mangini (Keyboards), Tom Pirozzi (Bass, Vocals), and Jeff Prescott, Chadd Ploss, Scott Apicelli (drums). As a three-singer band, Raisinhead provides fans with an interactive evening of sound, energy, and pure fun.
Below is the list of tour dates for Dopapod. For more information, fans can visit here.
Funky, jam band powerhouse Dopapod stopped in The Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ on Thursday, March 28. The Jungle Jazz Initiative opened up the night, offering a groovy and entertaining set, fitting in well with Dopapod’s sound.
Dopapod’s first set was only 4 songs, which was full of jams and featured a good representation of their career with newer and older songs. It started out with a danceable “Live In the Dream” followed by a Dopapod classic “Turnin’ Knobs” which featured the electronic, synth heavy peaks. Another catchy classic closed up the set, “Braindead”. The chorus is still ringing in my head.
The band opened up the second set with a very distinguishable “Trapper Keeper”. This was followed by an unexpected “No Quarter” played with ferocity. The rest of the set included newer and older songs that flowed together incredibly well. And suddenly a Dead cover appeared, Dopapod’s homage “Smertha” was played to close up the set.
The band encored with “Landmines”. Dopapod’s sound is unique and is distinguishable in a scene that can at times be homogenous. Their unique style provides a refreshing experience and will continue to gather fans.
Dopapod – The Williams Center for the Arts, Rutherford, NJ – Thursday, March 28, 2024
Set 1: Live in The Dream, Turninâ Knobs, Man or Machine, Braindead Set 2: Trapper Keeper, No Quarter, Ebb and Flow, My Elephant Vs. Your Elephant, Peter Banning, Sonic, 2 Somebodies, We Are Not Alone, Shmertha Encore: Landmines
The 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival has announced its headliners and direct support performers from May 10-19 – the largest variety of talent in festival history.
The Lilac Festival brings over 500,000 people a year from across Western and Upstate NY, the tri-state area and Canada to Highland Park to see great music, look at the beautiful lilacs that grow in the park, and eat and drink amazing food. In 2024, the festival will return with 80+ musical performances, 300 juried arts and craft vendors, kids’ activities, and the star of the show – the lilac blossoms. The annual event is hosted by the Lilac Festival Board, which includes Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and Visit Rochester.
“The Rochester Lilac Festival is one of our greatest community assets and is an essential component of our identity as the Flower City,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “The Festival showcases the spectacular beauty of historic Highland Park and provides residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy free, family-friendly, world-class talent. On behalf of the City of Rochester, I would like to thank the Lilac Festival Committee, organizers, sponsors, and partners for the energy they bring to producing this year’s Lilac Festival.”
Nine of the ten headliners at the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival are national touring artists, including Rochester native Danielle Ponder. All ten direct support acts were intentionally selected to showcase a diverse array of genres and talent from well-known and emerging Rochester artists.
Ghost-Note is performing at the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival.
For more information about the 2024 Rochester Lilac Festival, visit here.
A genre-bending feast that blends jazz, hip-hop, and funk into an eclectic fusion. For fans of The Roots, Sly and the Family Stone, A Tribe Called Quest
Masters of high-energy swing, BBVD has helped revitalize swing music for over 30 years. For fans of Louis Prima, Duke Ellington, and Brian Setzer Orchestra
Rochester native and nationally touring artist brings masterful songwriting, bold vocals, and soulful storytelling to the stage. For fans of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Black Pumas, and Aretha Franklin.
This powerful female band brings melodic and heartfelt harmonies that spread a message of self-acceptance and love. For fans of The Chicks, Kacey Musgraves, and HAIM.
