ARTIST PROFILE :: LOTUS
writter: Jacqueline Dubin photographer: Hillman Bates
Streaming in from green and red beams of light were the big beat instrumentals of Lotus at the 9:30 Club Washington, D.C. on Friday, February 11, 2011. Forming at Goshen College in Indiana in 1999, Mike Greenfield (Drums), Jesse Miller (Bass, Sampler), Luke Miller (Guitar, Keys), Mike Rempel (Guitar) have made a distinct name among the musically inclined. Their first album, Vibes, was released in 2002. They later signed with Harmonized Records and their 2004 album, Nomad, got them nominated for a “New Groove of the Year” Jammy award. Since then they have released 5 more albums of live and recorded material, including their most resent project, the double EP set, Oil On Glass/Feather On Wood.
Starting out as a funk/jam band, Lotus has taken their music to creative and unique lengths since their beginning. Though considered to be multi-genre, they tend to fall in to the instrumental rock category. They experiment with elements of the electronic music genre, but stay close to their jam rock roots. Influenced by the sounds of Kraftwerk, Beck, and Orb, the band blends aspects of electronica, jazz, rock, and funk; think Phish and Umphrey McGee. As they continue to create new music they seem to expand, always updating and altering their sound.
Those sounds are truly something incredible, especially seen live. Lotus is quite well known for their stage shows, which they record and post on the Internet or use for their albums. It’s not just the physical performances that get them their notoriety but the experience created that helps them sell out venues across the country. Their complex light show follows a unique improvisational style, also, many times their shows have themes such as Black Sabbath, video game music, and “Live Fast Die Young” where the band members dressed as rock stars who died at the age of 27. Thanks to strong word of mouth from touring, the band has seen the stages of some of the top music festivals like Bonnaroo, Rothbury, and Starscape. You can be sure to find them on some of 2011’s biggest festival lineups as we get closer to the summer season.
special thanks to Opus One Productions
For more information on the band check out their official site at
http://www.lotusvibes.com
FEATHER ON WOOD / OIL ON GLASS ON SALE NOW!
FOR TOUR DATES
http://on.fb.me/h7c4ck
"Blacklight Sunflare" live at Roseland Ballroom in NYC on August 12, 2010
LIVE @ 9:30 CLUB (Washington DC), Friday, February 11th, 2011
