ROCKOUT
2pm: Uproot Hootenanny
4pm: Roosevelt Collier Trio ft. Roosevelt on pedal steel guitar (Lee Boys), Matt Lapham on bass (Shak Nasti, Bobby Lee Rodgers) and Anthony Cole on drums (Mofro)
6pm: The Resolvers
DJ Scotty Solomon between sets

COOKOUT
This is a potluck event. We will have the large grill onsite manned, hot & ready so please feel free to bring something to BBQ or a side dish to contribute. There are also plenty of smaller grills scattered throughout the area if you’d like to plan within your group. We will also have Dunedin Brewery branded event cups available onsite.

BEACH CLEAN-UP
12pm: The Resolvers Monthly Beach Clean-up: Boca Raton Edition. We will provide trash bags and gloves. Participants will receive a limited “The Resolvers Beach Clean Up” t-shirt. Exact location TBA.

RAFFLE
Prizes include a ticket to AURA Music & Arts Festival at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (February 14-16, 2014); 2 tickets to B.e. Easy Music Festival; tickets to upcoming BLP shows; BLP, band & Dunedin Brewery merchandise; and more! Donations: $5/ticket or 5/$20. Proceeds will help cover event costs.

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
We are organizing a volleyball tournament to take place on the sand court in the middle of the park. Registration will begin at 2pm and will cost $10/player. We will randomly select teams of 3-4 players (depending on total numbers) to keep things fun and social with play beginning at 3:30pm. Cash, tickets and merch will be rewarded to the top 3 teams.

HOTEL INFORMATION
Best Western (2 miles away)
2700 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 395-5225
Re: BLP Family Reunion Group Rate
$65/night includes hot breakfast, wifi and shuttle to & from the event

PARK ENTRY/CARPOOL/SHUTTLE
*The festivities are FREE to enjoy, but it costs $18/car to enter the park if you don’t have a City of Boca Raton permit…so plan on carpooling. There is plenty of parking at the North Dixie Shopping Center on the north side of Spanish River Boulevard between N. Dixie Highway & N. Federal Highway (1 mile away) for park & ride opportunities. We will also have a shuttle running on demand…send an email to Info@BrotherlyLoveProductions.com by 5pm on Friday 6/28 to coordinate.

PROMOTE
Facebook Event: http://bit.ly/BLPfamreunion6
Twitter Handles: @BLPfam @RooseveltTheDr @ TheResolvers @Uproot1 #BLPfamreunion6

QUESTIONS
Info@BrotherlyLoveProductions.com

Friday 6/1
DrFameus w/ Stokeswood + Freq
@ Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery
Boca Raton, FL
$8adv, $10dos | 9pm | 18+

www.DrFameus.com
www.Stokeswood.net
www.Reverbnation.com/FreqProject
www.TheFunkyBuddha.com

DrFameus Soundcloud
DrFameus Invades AURA from Melodysiac.com
Video Interview from The Brain Trust
DrFameus multi-cam live video from AURA 2012 by Sewell Film Productions

We have worked as hard as always to put together a proper celebration of the milestone aiming to include as many of our friends as possible…four nights, four venues, nine bands and the BLPfam…we hope to see you out!

On Thursday 6/28, we will kick off our FREE Thursday night AURA Parties at the Funky Biscuit with hometown homeboys Aquaphonics! This is an event that we hope takes off over the following months and develops into THE spot to be on Thursday nights in SoFlo.

Friday 6/29 is STACKED at the Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery with three of our faves. Ketchy Shuby will kick the night off as they do so well before handing the Bamboo Stage over to longtime SoFlo stalwarts Cypress. Then Fusik closes out the evening with a power set of their infectious funk.

Saturday 6/30 is something special. We’ve worked on a LOT of shows at the Culture Room over the years, but this marks the first time we’ve hosted our own event in SoFlo’s baddest club. We hope everyone comes out early to hang and set the tone for the evening. SOSOS will start things off on the patio with their chill vibe, and the first 50 attendees will receive a special BLP birthday present PLUS we are offering everyone who attends a chance to win a pair of AURA Music & Art Festival tickets. Then the main stage will take off with sets by COPE, The Resolvers and The Heavy Pets. We are also offering a special BLP Family Invite (PW: BLPfam) for Friday and Saturday for just $20 which includes taxes and fees EXCLUSIVELY through BLPfam outlets.

Then Sunday 7/1 will be a special edition of our weekly Rockout With Your Cookout hosted by local super-group, El Groundscoro for an electrified jam rotating members of The Heavy Pets, Fusik, Cypress, The Resolvers, COPE, Ketchy Shuby and MORE through the grooves! We will also up the ante for the FREE BBQ and encourage everyone to come out early grub up and get ready to get down!

Thursday 6/28
Aquhonics
@ Funky Biscuit
Boca Raton
21+ FREE | 18+ $5 | 9pm

Friday 6/29
Fusik w/ Cypress + Ketchy Shuby
@ Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery
Boca Raton
$10 | 9pm | 18+

Saturday 6/30
The Heavy Pets w/ The Resolvers + COPE
Patio vibes by SOSOS
@ Culture Room
Ft. Lauderdale
$12adv, $15dos | 8pm | 18+
* Birthday presents for the 1^st 50 attendees PLUS everyone will receive a chance to win a pair of AURA Music & Art Festival tickets!

Sunday 7/1
Rockout With Your Cookout ft. El Groundscoro & Friends
w/ members of The Heavy Pets, The Resolvers, COPE, Fusik, Cypress, Ketchy Shuby & MORE!
@ Hurricane Bar & Lounge
Delray Beach
6-8pm – FREE BBQ
9-?am – FREE Jams

The Bones of Lazarus

“An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.”

A 2,000-year-old legend – Political Intrigue and Conspiracy – Mystery, Betrayal, Murder…

…The immortal Lazarus – man, myth or the original Frankenstein Monster?

John Derhak’s new imaginative, darkly funny, supernatural thriller. An engaging, purely pulp, genuine page-turner.

For more info about John Derhak and to purchase a copy of The Bones of Lazarus or any of his other works, please visit www.moerepublic.org

Interview conducted by Tim Coffey exclusively for Brotherly Love Productions
Tim@BrotherlyLoveProductions.com

My initial meeting with author John Derhak, writer of three novels and brother of moe. bassist Rob Derhak, was a display of  synchronicity. Days after reading his first novel and Pulitzer prize nominee, Tales From the moe.Republic, I happened upon the clever author at a local pub in Jupiter, FL. Much to my enjoyment, we spent a few hours talking books, sports and the mysteries of the platypus. It became apparent to me that, not only had this man written one hell of a book, but he had much more to say.

This May 2012, John excitedly releases his third novel, The Bones of Lazarus. Taking place on the Caribbean island of St. George, readers are swept away by a tale of mystery that acts as much as historical fiction as it does classical fiction. His ability to blend genres and endear his characters to the reader prompted me to begin to take notes as I read Bones. This is a far cry from my usual ‘fall asleep with the book on my chest’ routine. John was brave enough to allow BLP to transform those notes into a probing interview. I was pleased to discover that I was right, the Maine resident unquestionably still has a lot to say, and this is one hell of a book.

Brotherly Love Productions: First off, let’s lead with informing the public that this book is a massive overhaul of a short story from your book Chill Your Cockles. Is it difficult to expand a story to this magnitude?

John Derhak: True. A much shorter version of The Bones of Lazarus appeared in Chill Your Cockles. Cockles is a set of ghostly or supernatural short stories that jumped a storyline about a Halloween storytellers contest in my first book. When I finished the original shorter version of Lazarus, I thought it was a solid, fast-paced story. Yet, I also felt that there was more to the story. About a year after the publication of Cockles, in the winter of 2009-2010, I started expanding Lazarus. It was more difficult than I thought it would be. Characters I had only mentioned or alluded to in the original took on a “life” of their own. Their stories had to come full circle, written into the book, made sense of. On this side, I’m glad I did what I did, in expanding Lazarus. I think people will find it a good entertaining read.

BLP: Your other job has you traveling quite a bit and meeting some…interesting people. Does this schedule assist your creative process in any way, specifically character development?

JD: You mean hawking merch for moe.? Believe me, you meet a lot of interesting characters on both sides of the stage, and it’s a lot of fun. I think everyone I meet has the potential to influence the creative process on some level, but not specifically. That comes within the context of the story.

BLP: In a way, this is quite a far removal from your first work, Tales From The moe. Republic. Where Tales had its dramatic aspects, it is far more whimsical than Lazarus. Was it hard for the “author” John to make the adjustment or did the “guy” John help him through it?

JD: Well, the “author” John and the “guy” John are one in the same, which could mean, after reading this book, I’ll be tagged as one warped SOB. As dark a story as Lazarus is, and there’s a very serious side, there are also times it is darkly funny, or I’d like to think so. I do use humor, in varying levels, to tell this story.

BLP: Much like Tales this book seems to have a historical fiction feel to it. Are you a big fan of history in general or just a nut for details?

JD: I’m a nut for details… but I also am a fan and a historian by trade. I worked in the field for years. I used to do research and authentication of historical documents for collectors. Every document had a story behind it, and my job was to investigate it, and then write the story or interpret it.

BLP: Such as…

JD: One time, I had a brief note written by Abraham Lincoln concerning a Confederate P.O.W. by name. Lincoln instructed for the man to be released if he pledged to lay down his arms and take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Lincoln wrote thousands of these notes toward the end of the war with similar instructions. Many still exist, but this was the only one I ever saw that specifically mentioned a Confederate’s soldier’s name. It turned out the prisoner was an Irish immigrant from New Orleans who was pressed into a Louisiana regiment to fight for the Confederate cause. He survived the war and returned to the Big Easy where he disappeared into history. That was a good story to research and write. Another time I “discovered” Billie Holiday’s contract for her last performance. It was found amongst a stack of other artist contracts a collector had acquired back in the 1960s. The collector had no idea of its historical importance. Her last show was at a small theater in Greenwich Village in 1959. She was a mess, in a drug induced stupor and lasted three songs before being pulled from the stage. She was hospitalized a few days later and died a month or so after. I think the gig paid out $300, and she agreed to provide her own pianist. That was a sad story, but a very interesting one to write.

BLP: The religious tones inherent in the novel not only add a mythological aura to the book but seriously add to the historical aspect. Why the story of Lazarus?

JD: If you’re gonna write a story about Lazarus, then it’s gonna have religious tones and admittedly, there is much in the book. To begin with, I was always aware of the story of Lazarus of Bethany growing up. It’s the stuff of legend. But so is the historical Lazarus. He was the younger brother of Mary Magdalene and a good friend of Jesus. He and his sisters did have to flee for their lives after the crucifixion. Lazarus went to Cyprus and was a leader in the early Christian movement there. That, I found out in the course of writing the book. Everything I wrote about Lazarus in Cyprus is based upon the historical record, scarce as that is. Secondly, within the context of the story, I introduced quotes attributed to Solomon from the Book of Proverbs—very heady, philosophical stuff—as guide posts, as it were. I did that because Solomon’s Proverbs would have been relevant in Lazarus’s time, and my character Lazarus is kind of a philosophical creature of Judgment. Finally, I thought it was important for the storyline to bring it to the point of Lazarus’s resurrection by Jesus—to lay out who he had become, what he had to do and the reckoning thereof. Some people may find the interactions between Lazarus and his friend and literal savior, Jesus, a little presumptuous. I hope not. It was not my intention. Now, regarding the second part of your question, why Lazarus? I was well into writing the story before the thought of Lazarus came into play. I still wasn’t sure what kind of “creature” would fill the part of Lazarus. I wanted something more than a vampire or werewolf. I can thank my nephew Eddie for that. He was 9 at the time, and we were talking about songs by moe. one afternoon, one of which was “Lazarus,” when he changed subjects in mid-stream and jumped into an oratory on the immortality of mythical creatures and monsters. That’s when the idea clicked in my head—what if Lazarus never died— instead became an immortal. From that point on, I wrote the story around that premise, and it flowed. Also, speaking of the song, I’m very grateful that my brother and moe., renamed it after the title of my book on their new album, What Happened to the LA LAs. It was a very nice surprise.

BLP: Like your other works, you spend a fair amount of time helping the reader get to know a myriad of different characters. While the book’s protagonist is the voice of good, why do you find it so important to give other less rigid characters like Anton such a powerful voice?

JD: That’s a tough question. Presumably, when you say “less rigid” you’re talking about moral ambiguity or why you should like a character such as Anton so much. When it comes to characters and their development, my general philosophy in writing is let the characters speak for themselves, through their words and actions, and then build the story around what they do and say. I leave it to the reader to decide whose actions are good or bad, and thusly, who they should like or dislike.

BLP: A funny note I wrote down is that during one of your hilarious rants you speak of the devil and you refer to the dark lord as “her.” I assume no explanation needed?

JD: Never assume. Whether deity or demon, hero or villain, I believe in gender equality.

BLP: As the reader, we are slowly filled in to the causes for social unrest on the Island of Saint George and you make a quick but powerful reference to the roles of embassies and consulates outside our borders. How much of this theme do you think mirrors our actions here in the US.

JD: I’m not sure what “reference” you mean, but I was referring to, in a generic sense, wherever there is social unrest, in any given country, when it turns violent, a good portion of the embassies in that country, either out of safety or protest or both, will evacuate most of their diplomats and staff…and close. Or they may leave behind a skeletal staff to serve their citizens who remain there for whatever reason and/or to maintain a diplomatic presence.  In Saint George, in the book, the embassies were closed because of the violence, and the consulates were conducting the diplomatic affairs of state.

BLP: Choreographed terror is a thought you repeat in the novel. The difference of targets vs. results is the thought I got. Please explain.

JD: I don’t want to give away one of the subplots of the story. Thusly, suffice it to say, on a base level most terrorist attacks are targeted to achieve maximum results, that being, to impose terror upon society as a means to an end, whatever that end may be. That said, I coined the phrase “choreographed terror” less to emphasize the selective nature of terrorist targets but more to demonstrate how a word or phrase is used for its entertainment value by the media to create a spin that sells advertising on cable news.

BLP: How big of a problem do you see with the reporting of opinions vs. facts in American media?

JD:  I think it’s a big problem. Less in newspapers, which places opinion on its op-ed pages, or network news, which has time limitations in its broadcast. The big problem is cable news which churns 24-7. People on cable news spend hours interpreting the news rather than reporting it. They focus on a few limited topics, mostly for their entertainment value – i.e. something involving violent death, race, sex or scandal – and ignore the rest of what is happening in America or around the planet. They’ll spin a story for days and weeks if it sells advertising. Beautiful TV anchors “host” cable news shows, sitting on couches around a coffee table like it’s the Ellen Show. I often wonder how people can take this seriously. They’re just as far removed from what’s happening as the viewers are…and about as qualified to discuss it.

BLP: One of my favorite messages in the book deals with the intricate problem of “who is to blame.” In the book, I see a trifecta of fingers being pointed between terrorism, corporate influenced governing and the press. That’s a hard line to walk yet you balance it well. What was your muse in managing this idea?

JD: I guess I wasn’t really thinking in terms of “who to blame” for the woes in our world but drawing attention to how self-interests screw up the lives of everyone around the globe. Small, resource-rich, developing nations are vulnerable to human greed and exploitation – as we all are – by their own leaders and outside influences such as the World Bank or Big Energy or Big Media. One of the best books I ever read on the subject was Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins. It explores how vulnerable and easily exploited these small resource-rich nations are to outside influences, i.e. ‘lawyers, guns and money.’ In the end, it’s to the great detriment of the people who live there, in many cases spurring acts of violence and terrorism. I had this in mind in the creation of the island of Saint George.

BLP: A thought you provoked in me – one I thought I had figured out – is how inherent violence is in human nature and does it interfere with our advancement or promote it? The whole notion of: “if it were not for evil there would be no good” thing. To what degree does good need evil?

JD: To answer your last question first, as I wrote in Lazarus, good and evil are there for the choosing. I understand that there are many variables attached to the exercising of that decision. A “rational” person may act impulsively. An imbecile may know no boundaries. In many instances, it’s a very fine line. But someone at some moment in time has to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, in regards to what direction they move in their life. Secondly, I don’t know if it’s human nature to be violent or simply part of being human. But I’ll tell you this: many years ago, in my days as a student, I took a class in political philosophy. One of the books I was assigned to read was the 17^th century tome Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes. I discovered a couple things about human nature in that class and from that book. First, regarding the latter, without the rule of law and order, mankind would live in a “state of nature,” and life would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” I believe that to be true. Secondly, in regards to the former, Cliff Notes is your friend, especially when attempting to bore through a book on political philosophy in old English. But the reality is that we live in a world where violent acts occur regularly and often, from barroom fisticuffs to all-out armed conflicts between nations. It’s condemned yet condoned. By nature, nurture or manipulation, people fight. Either in blind ignorance, for personal gain or in a desperate defense of their beliefs, and/or kith and kindred—they fight. Nevertheless, it’s seen and accepted as a way to get things done. Now, whether or not violence interferes with the advancement of humanity or promotes it—the question is moot. Violence happens, humanity moves onward, and the cycles are repeated. In the classical example of the American experience it was the Civil War but there are an endless number of examples in the vastness of the human epoch over the past 5,000 years. With recent archeological discoveries of the advanced civilizations at Puma Punku in Bolivia and Göbekli Tepe in Turkey which date to 12,000 years ago, humanity may have had a lot more practice than we know of.

BLP: What plans are there for Lazarus? As I read this I definitely saw anime either in the form of graphic novel of feature film. Any plans to push for that?

JD: My immediate plans are to push the book…to push sales. I’d like people to read it, and I’d like to hear what they have to say. I’m hoping people will be entertained by the story, that they won’t think I’m too deranged or over-the-top. Overall, I just hope people enjoy the story. As for future plans, when I was writing the book, I was trying to give a “pulp detective” feel to it. I think that lends itself well to a graphic novel or the cinema. Believe me, I would entertain any reasonable discussion or offer. I’m all for it.

The Bones of Lazarus began shipping this month and can be ordered from John’s web site www.moerepublic.org

John Derhak is a writer, storyteller and historian who spends his time near the Atlantic Ocean.

His general interests include but are not limited to: History of plumbing. The feel of a new pen. The aurora borealis. Popular uprisings. Baseball. A bottle of good red wine. Fine cigars. Sons. Family. Friends. The beach. Imagination. Purple. A cure for porphyrophobia. Astral projection. Common Sense. Maine. A stand of pines. Moose. Gnarly Barley Ale. Prime numbers. Pooches. The Red Sox nation. The Patriots. A pint of Guiness. Czech Pilsners. Aureolas. Curves. Mountains. Wilderness. The urban jungle. moe., jazz, bluegrass, the standards, and rock ‘n roll. South Florida as a dystopian paradigm. The higher stages of the barbarian culture. P.T. Barnum as philosopher-king. Grilled Asparagus. The buzz with onomatopoeia.

The Bones of Lazarus (The Novel), his third work of fiction, is a very dark comedy and supernatural thriller (2012). Chill Your Cockles (2009), a collection of haunting tales, is his second work of fiction. Tales  From the moe.Republic, his first novel and Pulitzer Prize contender for fiction, was released in 2007.

Catskill Chill Music Festival 2012 Artist Lineup:
Yonder Mountain String Band • Lotus • Conspirator • Soulive • Lettuce • EOTO • JGB with Melvin Seals • Rubblebucket • Cornmeal • Particle • Break Science • The Heavy Pets • Headtronics • Kung Fu • Zoogma • DrFameus • DJ Logic • Yarn • Yarn plays Dead set • Jennifer Hartswick Band • Dopapod • KRAZ • Wyllys • The McLovins • Caravan of Thieves • Alan Evans Trio • DAMN RIGHT! • The Indobox • Consider the Source • Jeff Bujak • On The Spot Trio • Timbre Coup • The Alchemystics • lespecial • FiKus • ShwizZ • Twiddle • Turbine • Derek VanScoten (D.V.S^*) • Horizon Wireless • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong • The Folkadelics

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, where the beauty of nature synchronizes with the euphoric sounds of live music, this intimate lakeside event has quickly become one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. The Chill features free parking, free camping, on-site cabin rentals, three outdoor covered stages and an Open Mic stage encouraging fans to become part of the performance. Festivalgoers can also enjoy yoga, drum circles, live art, and a communal bonfire each night.

Catskill Chill Music Festival Links:
Official site: www.CatskillChill.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/CatskillChill
Twitter: Twitter.com/CatskillChill (#CatskillChill)

Greenhouse Lounge | Sounduo | Aquaphonics | EP3 | DuBBle James

DJ Sets by Bitch Please | Live Painting by BPaul

9pm door | 10pm-5am show | 18+

$10adv, before 11pm & for WMC Badges
$15 after 11pm | $20 for 18+
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/233572

The four-day party kicks off on Thursday (2/16) with The Resolvers, Ketchy Shuby, Fusik and DJ Haitian Hillbilly. This will be a BLP Showcase which will also serve as a pre-party for the AURA Music & Arts Festival. We will also be raising funds for Autism Speaks Miami Chapter & Team HydroBLADES. Everyone will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win an AURA Music & Arts Festival ticket, band, Brotherly Love merchandise and much more!

On Friday (2/17), we invite you for Sound Theory Happy Hour starting at 5pm. A happy hour unlike any other in Miami with a live broadcast of WDNA 88.9 FM’s Sound Theory Live with an intimate musical set and interview with Bobby Lee Rodgers before the evenings main performance later that night. Happy hour specials from 5-8pm include 2 for 1 drinks and $2 Grolsch beer. Stick around for some great music from Bobby Lee Rodgers and The Legendary JC’s later that evening with doors officially open at 9pm for the evening’s main event.

Saturday (2/18), we bring you the Aquaphonics from Stuart, Green Sunshine from Tampa and Jimkata all the way from Ithaca, NY who will be rocking out all night long.

Finally, on Sunday (2/19), Family Style Sunday’s Jam Fest Edition will feature Miami’s Electric Piquete for a FREE fun-filled family afternoon from 2-6pm.

For the full list…

Thursday, February 16th
Brotherly Love Productions Showcase and AURA Music Festival Pre-Party
with The Resolvers, Ketchy Shuby & Fusik
The Stage
170 NE 38th St. Miami, FL 33137
305.576.9577 | www.TheStageMiami.com $10 | 9pm | 21+
*Percentage of ticket sales will be donated to Autism Speaks and Team HydroBLADES
*All paid guests will receive a raffle ticket offering a chance to win an AURA Music Festival ticket, band and BLP merch and much more!

Saturday, February 25th
Brotherly Love Productions Showcase and AURA Music Festival Pre-Party
with The Resolvers, Ketchy Shuby & aquaphonics
Skipper’s Smokehouse
910 Skipper Road, Tampa, FL 33613
813.977.6474 | www.SkippersSmokehouse.com $7 ADV | $10 DOS | 8pm | 21+
*All paid guests will receive a raffle ticket offering a chance to win an AURA Music Festival ticket, band and BLP merch and much more!

Tuesday, March 6th
AURA Music Festival Pre-Party with The Werks, Kung Fu, Brock Butler & Consider the Source
Georgia Theater
215 N. Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601
706.549.9918 | www.georgiatheatre.com $8 | 8pm | 18+

Wednesday, March 7th
AURA Music Festival Pre-Party with The Funky Nuggets, Psychedelphia & Jeff Lloyd (of The Heavy Pets performing a special solo acoustic set)
The Funky Biscuit $8 | 9pm | 21+
303 SE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432
561.95.2929 | www.FunkyBiscuit.com 

Thursday, March 8th
AURA Music Festival Pre-Party with Psychedelphia & Jeff Lloyd (of The Heavy Pets performing a special solo acoustic set)
Dunedin Brewery
937 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, FL 34698
727.736.0606| www.DunedinBrewery.com FREE | 8pm | 21+

Thursday, March 8th
AURA Music Festival Pre-Party with Nick Noyes & Spontaneous Underground
Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery
2621 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33431
561.368.4643 | www.thefunkybuddha.com $6 | 9pm | 18+

Thursday, March 8th
AURA Music Festival Pre-Party The Fritz & The Mantras
Mojo Kitchen BBQ Pit & Blues Bar
1500 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
904.247.6636 | www.mojobbq.com/mojokitchen $10 for 21+ | $12 for 18-20 | 9pm

Equally melodic and heavy, this deep collection of eight tracks showcases their progression as producers and musicians, as well as the band’s unique take on electronic dub-hop in a studio production format. It’s everything you can expect from Sounduo – future dub to glitched funkiness with heavy beats and a healthy amount of bass that showcases the studio and programmed elements of the songs. These studio tracks form the basis for their improvised dub sets which are accompanied by live instrumentation and visual representations. Released under Made in Glitch alongside bass pioneers including Bass Science, Gladkill, NastyNasty and many more, Departures reflects Sounduo’s growing respect among bass communities across the country. While the album certainly features some huge bass drops, the band aims more for creating a futuristic glowing dub atmosphere in the tracks. From the heavy syncopated basslines of “Fever” to the dancehall-drum’n bass-lovestep vibe of “Shaka” to the jazz-fusion glitch dub of ‘”8 Degrees,” the album maintains the bass driven feel of dub music while staying relevant and consistent with the electronic sounds of the future.

“Sounduo Scores In South Florida” by Adam E. Smith for Melodyisiac.com
“I Would Do Anything” Exclusive for AfroMonk.com

Depatures Tour 2012
1/31 – Gainesville, FL @ Spank
2/2 – Athens, GA @ New Earth Music Hall
2/5 – Jacksonville, FL @ TSI
2/8 – Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
2/16 – Miami, FL @ Vagabond
2/17 – Lake Worth, FL @ Speakeasy Lounge
2/18 – Boca Raton, FL @ Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery
3/9-11 – St. Cloud, FL @ AURA Music & Art Festival

Interview by Matt Beck

Being engrained in our regional music scene through BLP and having supported the last few SoFlo PGroove shows, I’ve certainly noticed that an evolution has begun. The band recently joined Blue Mountain Management Group and has been tightening things up. How does this play into your return?

We’ve been able to come up with a structure that works for everyone, a business model that has a little more experience behind it will allow for better balance and enable us to have a lot more fun together with a lot less stress. Structure brings productivity, so we’re ready to hit things pretty hard and get the creative juices flowing again. We’re approaching everything with not only a new energy but with a lot of new ideas and a matured method of execution. We’ve been fortunate enough to have some people who have paid attention and allowed us to grow. Since the early conversations and rehearsals, it came together very naturally and quickly. We’re on the same page for the first time. Where we can say what we mean to each other without getting overly emotional and, in turn, putting the emotion into the music where it should have been this whole time. I’m very excited for the future; I think we’ve finally got a situation that will allow us to kick it into high gear.

How did this transpire with the rest of the band?

We’ve remained close friends throughout the break. I don’t even wanna think about the number of hours that Albert and I have logged on Halo together. And Adam is probably my closest friend in the world right now, and we’re living very similar lives at the moment with our young children and budding families. Adam and his family spent Thanksgiving at our house last year and this year, we’ll be going to his. Adam and I are also both football fanatics and have always gotten together for games when they weren’t on the road. A couple months ago, he invited me over for Monday Night Football during which he pulled me aside and asked if I’d ever consider coming back. After about a half hour of me giving him a hard time, bullshitting with each other like we usually do, he said “I’m being dead serious.” It wasn’t even a week later before we’d all sat down and realized that it was probably the right time. John’s a good friend, but he has his own personal things. It’s very amicable…all friends on stage. That’s why tonight (Georgia Theatre on 11/18/2011) and New Year’s will be so special. Last night, John and I played with The Heavy Pets together and had a blast. We’re a bunch of guys who not only enjoy making music together but actually enjoy each other’s company. What we’ve got here is a real rare and unique opportunity to truly be transparent and honest with the people who care to look inside the organization and see that there’s something really special happening right now. Everyone’s happy, and we’re gonna get to move forward with some plans we have musically.

You’ve mentioned in other interviews that you feel like you’ve followed in the wake of bands like Phish and the Disco Biscuits. Being the “flagship” of an agency on the rise like Nimbleslick – representing bands like The Heavy Pets, Zoogma, The Mantras and The Werks – does it interest you to mentor them potentially?

I don’t know if I’d think of it in those terms, but it is great to be a part of something where everyone has been successful as opposed to one of these flash in the pan companies or bands that’s around for a couple years and then are gone because they can’t keep their shit together. It’s not that it’s easy by any stretch of the imagination, but what’s happened is we’re all ready to take it seriously, and we have some real keys to success falling into place. It’s all working out real well right now. Yet, having the unique perspective of being on the outside for a few years and getting emails and messages from younger bands that tell me I’m a big influence is real humbling. As is the out pour of support over the last day (since the announcement of his return)…to be a part of that again, to move from a very private life to a relatively public life that people care so much about and tie so much emotion to what we do. Being an audience that wants you to be new and different gives you freedom to take risks. And that goes to the business model of Nimbleslick as well, they have a bunch of indie bands and jambands…(ensuing rant on how terrible the term “jamband” is and how it’s a disservice to the musicians and audience that ends in us agreeing that the grass is simply always greener).

So, what can we expect from PGroove that will be “new and different?”

Pretty soon, we’ll start having a guitar on my side of the stage and incorporating that a little more. We’ve got some new songs already on the cooker that will be these two guitar rock tunes. Not everybody gets to do that.

You also referred to your return to the public eye. You were always the more politically outspoken member of the band, having your blog “The Soapbox” where you provided some commentary and insight into our last presidential election. Do you look forward to having that voice again?

Definitely not, that’s one thing that will definitely change. That’s something I learned four years ago that, in my opinion, were huge errors that I made. There is enough divisive material in the world that, unless activism is your thing, music and musicians should do all they can to create an experience where people can get together despite their differences. There are a few subjects that you should only speak to your wife about and those are politics, religion, sex and money. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. In the red & blue and black & white world that is being built up around us by the powers that be, I want to be more private. Not to mention that since returning to the real world from rock n roll camp a few years ago, a lot of my opinions have changed. My soapbox has been knocked out from under me…by myself.

How about musically? You’ve picked up the guitar before, for Rage Against the Machine tunes in particular, and Brock has jumped to the front of the stage…

That’s all more about Brock rapping. Let’s face it; a tall redhead rapping is NEVER not funny.

Having run out of time due to my inability to properly dial into a conference call and Matt’s need to get a haircut, we picked the conversation up a month or so later, between PGroove’s grand return to the Georgia Theatre that burned down on the night they (and The Heavy Pets) were due to play in June of 2009 and prior to their two night New Year’s run at Center Stage in Atlanta that would not only mark the end of another year and the promise of the next but also that of John Hruby’s tenure and of a re-energized McDonald in the band…

So, how did it feel to return to Perpetual Groove after a three and a half year break? Was it like jumping on the proverbial bicycle or did you find there to be fresh nuances to navigate?

Obviously, it feels great. It was a little of both old bike and new trick, I suppose. Back in May of this year, some very close friends of ours got married here in Athens, GA, and all four of us ended up being at the reception. Some of our best friends, Under the Porch, were playing the reception and were kind enough to let us take the helm for a few songs. It was the first time in three years that just the four of us played together. I’ve done some shows with Brock and Albert here and there and sat in with PGroove several times over the course of the past three years, but it was the first time that it was the 2.0 lineup playing together since Amberland ’08. It was, in a word, incredible. I don’t think any of us planned on having the emotions that we did when we walked off that stage. We immediately fell back, for lack of a better word, in the groove. After saying thanks to friends and congrats to the newlyweds, we all took a corner in the club and collectively said “whoa.” We knew that it was time for the four of us to play together again. At the time, we thought it would be something different, a new band if you will.  This was shortly after that crazy guy said the rapture was coming, so our name for the new project was going to be The Post-Rapture Survivalists. We were all very excited about having a new project together, and one that would be for fun and more of a local Athens/Atlanta thing. Obviously, when John said he needed a break, it was clear to everyone that the side project was just going to be a new era of PGroove. The great thing about playing again with the guys is that we have all grown as friends, people and musicians. So yes, there are lots of “fresh nuances” to navigate. We have all said many times now that this is an evolution of PGroove. We intend on showing everyone that very quickly.

How was that experience affected by that show being PGroove’s grand return to the rebuilt Georgia Theatre?

It was an incredibly emotional night. Not only was the news of my return announced just the day before, but it was the new Theatre and the ushering in of this next era of PGroove. The show was sold out; at set break, we all got these cool medallions that have the GATH marquee on it with the words “Sold Out Club.” The emotion of the night was palpable in the air. John and I were having an absolute blast playing together, the sing along at the end of “Sweet Oblivious Antidote” was a first and gave everyone in the room chills, having Adam’s brother Damien show up last minute was amazing, and of course Karolyn Troupe from Venice is Sinking playing with us on the encore was quite a treat as well. Everyone in the room was there for us, that was an incredibly humbling and amazing feeling. Anyone that may have speculated that there was any behind the scenes drama with the band could clearly see that all five of us are very close friends, now more than ever.

During this transition time with John Hruby, have you picked up any tricks or methods that he’s instituted in the band that will influence your approach?

It’s funny because John and I have been good friends for years. Three years ago, John and I spoke a couple of times about certain songs and what it was that I did musically regarding execution of the tune, and now I’ve had some of the same conversations with him, but with the shoe on the other foot. “Cairo” stands out most; he really did an excellent job of composing a new and unique sound on that tune. I intend on sticking true to his approach on that one, because it’s clearly just the right “part” for the song. I’ve enjoyed listening to some of the more recent live recordings of songs and hearing John’s approach, it has definitely given me some new ideas…so yes, I definitely will be applying some of John’s hat tricks to my arsenal.

No night is more hyped for musical mayhem, for bands and fans alike, than New Year’s Eve. Your return has certainly amplified the expectations among the Perps, especially with rumors of the return of some shelved material. What are the band’s expectations of the two-night run at Center Stage in Atlanta? What should fans expect?

I would expect something very similar to the GATH show in November. It’s not only my return, but John’s departure. We intend on showcasing and honoring both occasions. There’s gonna be time with just John and time with just me, but more importantly there’s going to be the most time with both of us playing. Regarding shelved tunes, maybe one or two, but we are saving more of that for 2.012 as it’s been dubbed. Fortunately, two nights in Asheville and Jamcruise are only a week after NYE so people won’t have to wait long to hear some reworked and even new tunes.

Since we last spoke, the two night stand at the Culture Room in March that you alluded to has been officially announced (Fri-Sat 3/2-3), and you have quite a few shows between now and then. How far along the band’s evolution do you expect to be at that point? Will your highly anticipated guitar rig be a part of production by then?

Well, I will say that I just finished the manifest for our gear on Jamcruise, and my guitar rig is definitely coming on the boat. We already have a few new tunes in the barrel, and we are hoping to have them ready for debut in Asheville, at least a couple I hope.

Do you have any other closing comments for 2011 and this more private period of your life or any aspiring words for 2012 and your return to the public realm?

I’m certain that I’ll have a lot more balance of private and public life this time around. The guys and I have set up a great plan moving forward as to help keep everyone fresh and enable all of us to spend important time with family while allowing others to peruse other interests. I never thought that this would happen for us, truly. It wasn’t something that was ever discussed the past three years, it just happened, kind of like what happens some nights on stage musically. I’m certain that we are ready, more than ever before, to do what it takes to bring PGroove to the next level.

For everything Perpetual Groove, visit www.PGroove.com

Upcoming Perpetual Groove Dates

Friday-Saturday 12/30-31
Center Stage w/ The Heavy Pets (12/30)
Atlanta, GA

Thursday-Friday 1/5-6
Asheville Music Hall
Asheville, NC

Monday-Saturday 1/9-14
Jamcruise

Friday 1/20
Crossroads
Huntsville, AL

Saturday 1/21
Rhythm & Brews
Chattanooga, TN

Wednesday 1/25
The Dixie w/ Moon Taxi
Tuscaloosa, AL

Thursday 1/26
Skybar w/ Moon Taxi
Auburn, AL

Friday 1/27
The Handlebar
Greenville, SC

Saturday 1/28
Ziggy’s
Winston-Salem, NC

Thursday 2/2
George’s Majestic Lounge
Fayetteville, AR

Saturday 2/4
Exit/In
Nasheville, TN

Thursday 2/9
Three20South w/ The Werks
Breckenridge, CO

Friday 2/10
Bluebird Theatre w/ The Werks
Denver, CO

Saturday 2/11
Fox Theatre w/ The Werks
Boulder, CO

Friday-Saturday 2/24-25
Pourhouse w/ Consider The Source + Brock Butler (solo)
Charleston, SC

Friday-Saturday 3/2-3
Culture Room
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Saturday 3/17
The Blockley
Philadelphia, PA