The Floozies have been a rising star in the electronic jam scene for some time now, but their recent two month hiatus left fans dying for more. Finally the wait is over and it was worth it! A new album, "Under Another Sun" will be available for download at the band's website on 1/11/11. If you can't wait until then, don't worry, The Floozies will be back on stage this New Year's Eve to jam in the new year with their funky, fresh, improvisational styles of groove.
Creativity, innovation, originality, these words don't even do The Floozies justice. Every live show is its own set of brilliance, with only the Hill brothers' subtle telepathic sync giving their diverse sounds something in common. The band's first album, "Live: Volume 1" is already available on their website and gives an epic example of the rhythms, sounds and styles The Floozies play with in their sets. Some of the songs obviously take inspiration from another band's hit, and credit is given where it's due, but every 'cover' is so full of original jams it becomes its own song. But the band has more than any recorded album can offer, because every live set is its own unique show and no song is played the same twice.
Even the new album, "Under Another Sun" proves The Floozies' diversity, because most of its songs are inspired by improvised jams from live sets, but tweaked, changed and revamped to create a new work. Matt uses their song "Crunchface" as an example, " 'Crunchface' was originally completely improvised at the Granada in October 2009 and we refined it, jazzed it up a little, and now it's on the album. It sounds quite a bit different than it did, but it's still pretty crunchfacey." Matt said. "We didn't really focus on keeping the songs in the same style necessarily. If it grooves and it's dynamic then it's fine by me."
The Floozies' wide range of sounds goes beyond description. Different rhythms, beats, melodies, are just a few things that keep their sets fresh and new, even for their veteran fans. Matt tributes some of their inspiration to some of his favorite artists, Miles Davis, Pretty Lights, Juno What, Garaj Mahal, as well as producers like Timbaland, Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, and Amon Tobin, and other heroes of all professions.
Matt and Mark Hill began their musical careers in different bands, playing at house shows and jamming with friends, but they've come a long way since then. The brothers have toured together as The Floozies all around the States and have even taken the stage at music festivals. Matt Hill remembers starting off with a creative vision, and no way to carry it out except with live looping while jamming. Their progress since then has been a dream come true. "Jamming led to playing at house parties, which led to our shows at the Jazzhaus, which led to more shows at bigger Lawrence venues, which led to festivals and touring. I've wanted to go on tour since I was 11 years old but didn't realize it would happen until it actually started happening." Matt said.
From the beginning, The Floozies were embraced with gusto by the Lawrence music scene. "The very first Jazzhaus show gave us a way better response than we ever expected, and later we played there it was like unreasonably packed. The fire marshal came to that show at one point which was flattering and hilarious at the same time." Matt said. Since then, the band has played all over, celebrating their success with loving audiences, "Playing New Orleans over Mardi Gras weekend was unreal. It was like a different world for me. And the first time we played in Crested Butte, Colorado was incredible. That place is beautiful and they've always gotten down with us out there."
Even after playing along side huge, national acts, festivals and shows in countless towns, The Floozies have not forgotten where they made their start, and they still love the music scene that saw their potential right from the get-go. "Lawrence is a special place. There are so many people that are hungry for bands that bring their own music and innovation, and it's given us so much love from the very beginning." Matt said. "There's this weird attitude among Kansans sometimes that if it's local it's not good, but Lawrencians aren't like that. They know when something's good and if there's good local shit going on, they appreciate it and give the love right back. I love it." And Lawrence really does love The Floozies! If you're not sure, come see for yourself on New Year's Eve. With every bar in town and beyond vying for everyone's dollars on the 31st, The Bottleneck will have no problem bringing in the crowd, with The Floozies headlining and Beans & Cornbread and Inflect opening for them.
After the New Year's Eve party The Floozies are planning four nights with Messy Jiverson, a ski town tour, and an exciting festival spot that cannot be officially announced until New Years'!
For all the aspiring musicians who dream of the same booming success that has The Floozies skyrocketing, Matt has advice: "Don't act like you deserve anything. If you ask people what they want to do when they retire, they almost always say they want to travel and learn an instrument. Mark and I have been lucky enough to travel around and play music. There's a silly sense of entitlement in some musicians we've met where they think everyone should step aside for the greater glory of their band just because they themselves think their music is badass. If people want to hear you and see you live, they'll make it happen and you have to appreciate every moment while you have it." Wise, humble words from an artist who can easily attribute some of his progress to the fans that have brought The Floozies where they are. If their ridiculously intricate live sets and free reign of improv brilliance has proven anything, it's that The Floozies are musicians everyone can admire and enjoy. And this is all still just the beginning.
Don't miss the new album, "Under Another Sun" for a taste of their art that you can take home with you, and BE THERE New Year's Eve, at the Bottleneck. The doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $9 if you order in advance, $11 day of.
But before the New Year's Eve extravaganza there are other great shows coming up that you should check out:
This Thursday, Fuzz Nasty, Right of Way and Yeti Speak will be playing progressive funk at the Bottleneck. Doors open at 8 p.m.
The same night, the Brody Buster Band and Brother Bagman will be at the Jazzhaus playing blues and rock.
This is a tough call, these should both be quality shows with headliners that have great reputations around town. Depending on how you're feeling this Thursday, either some funky soul or some folksy blues will definitely satisfy your musical craving. See you downtown!
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