Concert Reports

Alternative music ruled for the 13th Annual 92.9 KJEE Summer Round Up at Santa Barbara Bowl featuring alternative chart toppers Empire Of The Sun, Bishop Briggs, Judah & the Lion and local favorite, Soul Majestic

All Photos : Steve Kennedy
www.Facebook.com/SteveKennedyPhotography

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Empire of The Sun

In 2008, two of Australia’s leading musician/producers Luke Steele (The Sleepy Jackson) and Nick Littlemore (Pnau) created a vision that seemed to come from an alternative reality - a post-apocalyptic psychedelic adventure known as Empire Of The Sun. The resulting album Walking On A Dream went on to sell 1.5 million copies worldwide. 8 ARIA awards (including Album of The Year, Single of the Year and Best Group), 2 BRIT nominations (including Best International Album), and many accolades followed.

To date the band have sold 3 million copies of their albums Walking On A Dream and Ice On The Dune and have reached Multi-Platinum status with global singles “Alive,” “We Are The People” and “Walking On A Dream” (which has just been certified platinum – 1 million sales – in the US). Empire Of The Sun’s sophomore album Ice On The Dune debuted at # 3 in Australia and achieved peak chart positions of #2 in South Africa and Mexico, #3 in France, Italy and Switzerland, #8 in UK, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Austria and Netherlands and Top 20 in the US.

With their new album, Two Vines, Empire Of The Sun finds the circle expanding with esteemed pianist/arranger Henry Hey and bassist Tim Lefebvre, from David Bowie's Blackstar band. Factor in Wendy Melvoin from Prince's Revolution and iconic Fleetwood Mac guitar craftsman Lindsay Buckingham, and the Empire's rainbow has never been so vast and colorful.

Bishop Briggs

Born in London to Scottish parents, raised in Japan and Hong Kong and writing her own songs since age seven, Bishop Briggs was already immersed in American pop-culture by the time she moved to Los Angeles to attend college. She persevered in L.A., focused on a clear mission and was never too proud to play any venue that would have her, often to crowds smaller than would gather in her childhood living room. She honed her artistic vision with the help of producers Mark Jackson and Ian Brendon Scott.

Bishop Briggs’ music now transcends the limitations of singular genres, blending folk, pop and electronic music into a wholly unique sound. Her voice, lived-in and unafraid, has been likened to artists as varied as Janis Joplin, Florence Welch, Aretha Franklin, and Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), but Bishop foregoes restraint and defies categorization, forging a path that is uniquely hers.

With more new material, recent live performances/opening slots for Coldplay, Passion Pit and Kaleo plus a headlining tour, Bishop Briggs is poised to be one of 2017’s biggest breakout artists. Bishop Briggs hit single, “River” has reached #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 charts and #1 on the Hype Machine Popular charts, her song “Wild Horses” first gained traction when it was featured on Zane Lowe’s BBC worldwide Beats 1 Show and in ads for Acura’s 2016 TLX and ESPN’s NFL Playoffs.

Judah & the Lion

Years before forming one of Nashville's most genre-bending bands, the members of Judah & the Lion grew up in separate corners of the U.S., listening to every type of music that came their way. They loved it all: the twang of folk, the beat of hip-hop, the drive of rock & roll, the punch of pop. Later, after college brought all four musicians to Tennessee, it only made sense to combine those different backgrounds — and different sounds — together.

With their second full-length album Folk Hop N Roll, the guys shine a light on the place where their influences overlap. It's a wide-ranging sound, with fuzz bass, hip-hop percussion, distorted banjo riffs and super-sized melodies all stirred into the same mixing pot. Inspired by how their genre-blending style was connecting with fans, Judah & the Lion headed back into the studio in early 2017 to record 4 brand new songs dubbed the Going to Mars Collection, which, when combined with Folk Hop N Roll, make up Folk Hop N Roll Deluxe.

The rebooted version of the album includes the band’s follow up to “Take It All Back,” the equally high energy and anthemic “Suit and Jacket” which is impacting Alternative Radio now. With no intention of slowing down anytime soon, Judah & the Lion will embark on the Going to Mars headlining tour this Spring and Fall. In between, they have planned select dates with Kaleo before hitting summer festivals and embarking on an amphitheater tour with Jimmy Eat World and Incubus.

Soul Majestic

Conceived by four friends on the sandy shores of California, Soul Majestic channels their sunny beach days and bonfire nights into their unique brand of reggae music. But look beyond their laid back vibe, and you’ll find they are ever pushing the boundaries of the genre with an edge that cuts through the smoky haze. Their music blends their deep commitment to roots reggae with their love of rock, hip-hop, pop and folk music.

This is reggae, yet it's original--a new twist on familiar sounds--with conscious, heartfelt messages, and a high-performance band that will have you waiting for what comes next. Their signature vocal sound features male and female singers trading melodies and soaring harmonies, laced with edgy, crowd hyping dancehall verses and memorable hooks. Epic lead guitar solos wail over a wide range of tight danceable beats, rock flourishes, and heavy-dub interludes that will captivate and move you to dance.

www.EmpireOfTheSun.com
www.BishopBriggs.com
www.JudahAndTheLion.com
www.SoulMajestic.com
 

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