For almost 20 years, The Motet have been fusing boisterous badass funk and swaggering soul with a thought-provoking inventiveness to create something truly unique. The Denver, CO seven-piece (Dave Watts [drums], Joey Porter [keys], Garrett Sayers [bass], Ryan Jalbert [guitar], Lyle Divinsky [vocals], Drew Sayers [sax] and Parris Fleming [trumpet]) are continuing to evolve and further define their distinctive sound with their ninth studio album, Death Or Devotion – a killer collection of feel good groves due out on January 25 via the band’s own label.
Death Or Devotion earmarks an important point in the band’s own journey. Since emerging in 1998, they’ve cooked up eight full-length albums and entranced countless crowds. 2016 saw them welcome Lyle behind the mic and Drew on sax. Shortly after, they kicked off what has become an annual tradition by selling out the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater for the second time.Along the way, The Motet started recording Death Or Devotion during intermittent sessions at Scanhope Sound in their native Colorado, in 2017. For the first time, Lyle, Drew, and Parris worked on a Motet record together from start-to-finish, and each member of the band brought something different to the mix with their own unique set of musical influences and styles. The collection of nine new songs finds the band pushing boundaries and breaking new ground, welcoming old fans and new audiences alike – continually providing a welcome escape for listeners.
“The essence is always going to be the groove, but we wanted to expand the idea of what a funk album could be,” says vocalist Lyle Divinsky. “Of course, you want a driving backbeat. However, with the division that’s going on in this country and the world, I think it’s every artist’s responsibility to create a conversation. That conversation doesn’t have to be political either. It can be about love or an introspective journey. I think the commentary should be on what it’s like to be alive today. By drawing on funk, we create a fun, palatable musical vehicle for the message to go down. Our goal is for you to recognize we’re all dancing on the same dance floor-even though our steps may look a little different.”
With this in mind, it seems fitting that the first release, “Whacha Gonna Bring,” (below) was the perfect pairing for HeadCount’s current Get Out The Vote Campaign. The new single highlights Headcount.org in a collaborative effort to encourage music fans to vote in the upcoming mid-term elections. The song is as much a deep pocket heavy groove as it is a reminder that each and every individual has the opportunity to make their voice heard, not only by voting but by bringing positivity and joy to the table.
“The Motet is a longtime HeadCount partner and has always been a band we consider to be ‘family,’ says HeadCount’s Executive Director Andy Bernstein. “We are touched that they thought of us when releasing ‘Whacha Gonna Bring,’ and the song’s message truly resonates.”
DEATH OR DEVOTION TRACKLISTING
1. “Highly Compatible”
2. “Whacha Gonna Bring”
3. “Joke’s On Me”
4. “Death Or Devotion”
5. “Get It Right”
6. “Kneebone”
7. “Supernova”
8. “Contagious”
9. “Speed Of Light”
UPCOMING FALL TOUR DATES
10/26/2018 – Austin, TX | Emos (w/ Galactic)
10/27/2018 – Dallas, TX | Granada Theater (w/ Galactic)
10/31/2018 – Las Vegas, NV | Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas (w/ special guest Jen Hartswick)
11/1/2018 – Los Angeles, CA | Teregram Ballroom (w/ The Dip)
11/2/2018 – Solana Beach, CA | Belly Up (w/ The Dip)
11/3/2018 – Phoenix, AZ | Crescent Ballroom (w/ The Dip)
11/9/2018 – Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Ballroom (w/ Kat Wright)
11/10/2018 – Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Ballroom (w/ Funky Dawgz Brass Band)
11/16/2018 – Denver, CO | Ogden Theatre (w/ Escort)
11/17/2018 – Denver, CO | Ogden Theatre (w/ Cory Wong and special guest Antwaun Stanley [Vulfpeck])
11/29/2018 – Milwaukee, WI | Turner Hall (w/ Mungion)
11/30/2018 – Minneapolis, MN | First Avenue (w/ Mungion)
12/1/2018 – Omaha, NE | The Waiting Room (w/ Mungion)
12/15/2018 – Breckenridge, CO | Dew Tour @ Riverwalk Center
12/28/2018 – Albany, NY | Jupiter Hall (w/ TAUK)
12/29/2018 – Fairfield, CT | The Warehouse (w/ Sophistafunk)
12/30/2018 – Providence, RI | The Met (w/ Sophistafunk)
12/31/2018 – Portland, ME | State Theatre (w/ Moon Hooch + Jaw Gems)
1/15 – 1/21/2019 – Miami, FL | Jam Cruise 17
