Consider The Source, Haley Jane and the Primates & Kung Fu Highlight Disc Jam (FESTIVAL RECAP)

Yet again, Disc Jam offered up one of the most exciting festivals of the year. With the ability to witness over 60+ acts, playing over four days on four stages, it was a smashing success.Patrons who attended universally stated that it was the best Disc Jam s far. Conceived in June 2011 at Sturbridge, MA, Disc Jam has blossomed into a premier music festival destination and it took place June 9th-12th at the majestic location of Gardner’s Farm in Stephentown, NY for the second year in a row.

Jam stalwarts Electron, Dopapod, and Tauk provided the heat as did other popular acts including many small but quickly ascending acts like the Nth Power, Mister F, Members of the Brooklyn Jam Syndicate (Teddy Midnight, Space Bacon) and the William Thompson Funk Experiment.

People were buzzing Sunday morning about the incendiary late night set by Lespecial that early morning in the Innova Tent Stage. The artists-at-large were exemplary choices that included the brass section from Turkuaz, Ryan Dempsey (the talented keyboard player from Twiddle) and Ed Mann (the mallet percussionist in Frank Zappa’s band from 1977-1988). A highlight was the unique Cappadona (Wu Tang Clan) Live Band, a super jam featuring music from Michelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz), Craig Brodhead (Turkuaz), the Turkuaz Horns, Nate Edgar (Nth Power) and Johnny Durkin (Deep Banana Blackout) and Honeycomb.

Dopapod Orchestra played through the misty fog on Saturday night and amassed nearly 20 people to the stage at one point.  Gubbulidis (Mihali Savoulidis and Zdenek Gubb from Twiddle) closed the weekend with an impeccable performance for those smart enough to stay.  The late night bon fire was populated for all of those who wanted to keep warm! Disc Jam brought together the finest in jam, jamtronica, funk, and electronica while also offering other activities like live painting, art installations, yoga sessions, quality vending, hula hooping and Disc Golf.

For the most part the sun was shining and the weather was suite allowing patrons to bask in its glow while soaking in stellar musical offerings. However, the winds grew treacherous while achieving mass velocity on Sunday and blew everyone around site.  Having attracted about 3,000 attendees last year, the festival with a deep and satisfying lineup probably attracted closer to 4,000 this year.

Highlights:


Pigeons Playing Ping Pong  :  Friday 

Greg Ormont (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Schon (guitar, cocals), Ben Carrey (bass, cocals) and Alex Petropulos (drums) are the leaders of the flock that is Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. The band has grown so much in popularity over the last few years and remains one of the leaders in the traditional “jam” scene. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, the trailblazing quartet forges ahead with unique and original musings that rule the definition of “spacey funk.” Ormont remains the consummate front man, complete with a one of a kind stage presence that is renowned and entertaining with varied goofy and intensely engaging facial expressions. His vocals are crisp and clear and fit well within the frame of the music. Schon may very well be the most underrated guitarist in the scene.  Those that know his meticulous finger picking and groove-making riffs are well aware of his talent and keep coming back for more in droves.

Carrey has improved exponentially over the last couple years and is a bonafide professional contributor who provides thumping bombastic beats relentlessly into the fray. The set included their most popular and adored song, “F.U.” but this time the horn section was the Turkuaz trio (it is The Hornitz on the album version) and this rendition incited the large crowd to participate in a danceathon while it segued in and out of Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved” that also saw Ed Mann participate in the proceedings. Their impressive first full-length album, “Psychology” was well received but they have outdone themselves with their most recent offering, “Pleasure.”

Set List:  Walk Outside Sunny Day>The Hop>F.U.*>Could You Be Loved*>F.U.* Henrietta Lightning^ Fun In Funk, The Liquid, Ocean Flows, Julia
Notes: * w/Turkuaz horns ^ w/Ed Mann on electronic vibraphone

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Hayley Jane and the Primates  ::  Friday 

Hayley Jane (Lead Vocals), JJustin “Juice” Hancock (Guitar), Josh T. Carter (Bass), Greg “Smitty” Smith (Guitar), Ryan “The Claw” Clausen (Drums),  Jeff King (Keys) and Matt “P. Bear” Spitz shared one of the most unique and impressionable sets of the weekend. Formed in 2007 in Boston, the band is comprised of professional musicians and Hayley Jane made an indelible mark with her take on David Bowie classics. She embraced the tribute to the late icon because she enjoys “taking on a character.” Coming into its own lately, with a large spike in popularity, the band has opened for the likes of Pink Talking Fish, Zach Deputy, Nth Power and Dopapod. They have covered many songs including those by Dr. Dog, The Kinks and The Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie.” “Obsessed with words”, Hayley Jane is inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Jewell and Billie Holiday and that was demonstrated through the original songs performed on this day, “Creatures” and “Cosmic Katrina.”

The vibrant and charismatic girl-next-door beauty is trained in dance and it adds an additional dynamic to the stage show.  The arrangements of the David Bowie classics was spot on and the fast-paced “Modern Love” and trippy “Fame” were standouts of a set that saw vocal harmonies with Turkuaz’s, Shira Elias, that were both alluring and mesmerizing. The incomparable sax man, Josh Schwartz from Turkuaz, joined near the end of the set for a raucous display of brass prowess. This band is blowing up of late and should be witnessed live for the full experience. Currently, they have a Kickstarter campaign in full bloom in order to obtain funds to make their new album a reality.   

Set List:  Rebel Rebel, Star Man (Shira backup), Fame (Shira Duet), (Craig) (Kris), Modern Love (Smitty & Juice back ups) (Horns) (Kris), Life on Mars (Josh duet), (Kris) > Let’s Dance (Horns) (Kris), Sound and Vision (Josh duet vox and Sax) (Kris)>Cosmic Katrina, Hey Mister, Creatures >, It Ain’t Easy

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Consider the Source  ::  Saturday 

Consider the Source (CTS) remain one of the most unique and pulsating bands in the scene. The trio consisting of Gabriel Marin (guitar), John Ferrera (bass) and Jeff Mann (drums) seemingly are on the bill for more festivals that anyone else and continue to relentlessly tour and share their one of a kind musings. They have played Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” for years but those in attendance still didn’t know what to expect when presented with a full set of Radiohead covers.

Marin put on a guitar clinic with stellar finger work while being adept at changing time signatures on varied Radiohead classics. CTS are an incendiary explosion of sound and intense fury. The band is known for “Sci-Fi Middle Eastern Fusion” but took a slightly different approach on this day. Ferrara, a hero to bass players near and far, again demonstrated why he is a role model for many obsessed with the low-end. His solo to conclude the set was a perfect stress reliever after an intense long set of covered classics. Mann is a stalwart behind the skins and didn’t miss a beat while buoying the rhythms of the progressive rockers they so eloquently covered.

Set List:  Paranoid Android, 15 step (w/ Take 5 in the middle), Reckoner, 2+2=5, Pyramid Song, Packt like Sardines in a Crushed Tin Box, Back Drifts, Bass solo version of “Atoms for Peace “, Exit Music

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Kung Fu  ::  Friday

Does anyone tour more than Kung Fu?  The veteran jam/funk ensemble consists of Adrian Tramontano (drums), Beau Sasser (keyboards), Chris DeAngelis (bass), Rob Somerville (sax) and Tim Palmieri (guitar). The Connecticut-based outfit is seemingly always touring and if one lives in the surrounding area one is given ample opportunity to catch their contagious sounds.  Their Disc Jam set on Friday’s main stage was a prime example of the energy channeled from the popular band. Somerville, standing down center stage, provides excellent energy and a greater depth of layered sounds with his beautiful brass sounds.Sasser, who took over for the popular Todd Stoops about a year ago, has fully embraced his new role with an uncanny ability to add fills at the most remarkable moment.

However, the standout remains the one and only Tim Palmieri.  He is respected by fans across the country with his display of unparalleled solo skills has even garnered respect from his brethren including Twiddle’s Mihali Savoulidis.  Palmieri face melted the crowd on numerous occasions on the original-heavy set and it was a groove on Friday afternoon that introduced many who had just arrived to the festival in exemplary fashion.  Their collaboration with Shira Elias on their take on Beatles’ classic, “Come Together” flowed seamlessly.  Naturally, they have a busy summer planned including High Sierra Music Festival on July 1st and a Rocks Off Cruise in New York City on July 14th.

Set List:  Gung Ho> Speedbump of Your Love> Svfendago> Do the Right Thing> Scorpion> Getdown> Come Together (*w/ Shira from Turkuaz)> Joyride> Scrabb

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Photos by Amanda Siedner

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