Vinnie Smith (drums, vocals) vincentpiercepercussion.comVins Myspace email: clavebeats@yahoo.com
Booking:
Don Dix
don@giggoals.com
Promotion:
Stefanie Layman
nattybeehive@comcast.net
Influences
We are influenced by many varied sources. Funk, Folk, Jazz, Gospel, Bluegrass, Classic Rock, Afro-Cuban, Motown, North Indian CLassical, drum and bass, Mother Nature, and GOD
Digital Artwork by Caly Martin & Stefanie Layman & Jake Fisher
Our goal is to raise consciousness through sound and word. To bring crowds to intense peaks, through a winding river of sound. Like Nature breaks down rock over thousands of years, and how everything can be broken down to its base component, light: Natural Breakdown is a hopeful outlook and a call for change. We believe that the world is in need of some serious healing, and a strong vehicle for this shift is music. We want to break down the barriers between people and bridge the gap between performers/audience, to uncover that core experience of unity and oneness. We strive to bring people together for a unique and uplifting musical healing experience and hopefully spread the seeds of a brighter future in this time of great change.
After the release of our debut album, “Inside the One”, in the fall of 2007, Natural Breakdown has taken off! Touring nationally, the band played venues such as The Fox Theatre in Boulder, CO, Rhythmfest at Nelson Ledges in Garrettsville, OH, the Dreamtime festival in Paonia, CO, Earth Dance, in Laytonville, CA, Camp Zoe, in Salem, MO, Some Kind of Jam Three, in Kempton PA, Sterling Stage Folk Fest in Sterling, NY, The Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA, the Pour House in Raleigh, NC, and the legendary 8 x 10 in Baltimore, MD. By consistently performing around the country, the band has built a solid and growing fan-base in each region.
Natural Breakdown’s music is unique, varied, and our interactive shows include live painting, dance, and audience participation. Through the band’s musicianship, positive energy, and use of intention through Nada Yoga, people come away with a healing spiritual, energy which they bring out into the world. In addition to our growing catalogue of 70+ original songs, we mix in instrumentals, choice and select covers, and play in many different styles. The music ranges anywhere from 60’s R&B, gospel, bluegrass, and old-soul, to straight up rock and get down funk. Add in to the mix Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban, world beat and North Indian Tabla rhythms, with improvisational winding jams that launch people into intense peaks. We try to cater to our hard-core fans, making each show different and fresh. We push the envelope with song improvisations, acapella jams, drum circles, chanting, meditation, live painting, and ever changing set lists.
In 2007, Natural Breakdown recorded and released a break-through studio album. “Inside the One” faithfully represents the band’s ability to write in a variety of styles. The album follows a main character on a journey through his enlightenment. It was mixed and mastered by Mike Partridge and Johnny Grubb of Railroad Earth. The sold out CD release was held at the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick, NJ. The band is planning to return to the studio in December. We encourage you to listen to the album.
Much like the counter-culture revolution of the 60’s, there is a Peaceful Revolution going on right now all around the world. It is a revolution of consciousness and the awakening of true human potential. We are waking up to the understanding that we create our reality from our beliefs and intentions about the world. What we take to be real becomes real. We are doing this constantly, and we can either do it from a position of awareness or not.
Natural Breakdown chooses to be aware of the fundamental mechanics of conscious creation and we offer that understanding in music, lyrics, healing vibrations, and love to any and all who are interested. This understanding is sweeping the planet, and we are happy and proud to be but one channel.
Check out our new Album, "all the paths". You can buy the album at
naturalbreakdown.com
All The Paths was recorded in our home studio just north of Princeton, and was mixed by Mike Partridge, sound engineer for the band Railroad Earth. The band’s ties with RRE are deep, and they were fortunate enough to have mandolin player John Skehan join them for the song “Carry Me.” The album was also mastered by Johnny Grubb, RRE’s bass player, and part time audio guru.
With songs like “Supercharged,” “Hope” and “Tell Me You Love Me”, the band is able to show their diversity of writing styles and lyrical skills. “Blind As the Sun”, mixes North India Tabla rhythms into an upbeat anthemic song structure to reveal a totally new and original sound. “Fliptop” hits the message of the band right on the head, and songs like “13” and “Vinterlude” show the bands ability to use odd time signatures and interesting modal choices, to create something fresh and interesting.
Listening to your new CD right now...it SERIOUSLY ROCKS!!!!!!!! Thanks for getting it in the mail to my husband, Bill. He played a few tracks on his radio show last Thursday & will definitely continue to play more! Hope to see you guys soon
Peace Sunday, June 5, 1982, Rose Bowl, no nukes - nuclear disarmament - stop nuclear madness concert - NYC - Central Park - June 12, 1982, 1,000,000 person march and rally for Nuclear Freeze. Photography and presentation by Curtis Rainbow. 'Give Peace a Chance' music by Achim Schultz. Inspiration by Yoko Ono. Dedicated to John Lennon.
I was just thinking of you guys and i got your message...i'm soooo sad not to be there tonite...i'm still thinking if i hop in the car right now i could make it! I'm working on a series of abstract prints and it is costing all my pennies nickles and dollars to get it done before christmas...the collection is called sea of symphoinic bliss...but boy do i wish i was going to be there tonite! It will be beautiful and magical no doubt and i'm sure there will be fairies and angels and poets and everything good and holy ...sending you love... i will be there in heart and mind...you guys are the bestest band ever ever! check out my paintings if you get a chance on my page...i can't wait to do some painting live with ya'll;)...love love and love
I miss you guys, hope I can make it next weekend. Heres a little something I thought you would enjoy. NAMASTE it is all good in the final analysis Andrew
Join us for an all-day celebration of sustainable living including organic farming, alternative energy demonstrations, green building construction, music, local food, healthy living workshops, yoga, vendors, family activities and fun!
Special musical guest: Hoots & Hellmouth Natural Breakdown
Yoga with Dan Farella (Natural Breakdown) {Bring your yoga mat} 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Yoga for beginner’s, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM a little more advanced.
General admission ($6.50) to the Harvest Festival includes the Land of Scarecrows, hayride, the labyrinth walk, children’s wooden maze, Halloween Hollow playground, storytelling, live music, the Ol' Time Farm Museum and live barnyard animals.
Harvest Package ($12 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under): Combines all activities included in the general admission plus entrance to the Corn Maze www.farmschoolatsnipes.org
I just dreamt an play to your music it was so good i slept way in i didn't want it to end...but the songs were new ones...i wonder where they came from:)...there was dancing and boats and Dan had a bunch of harem...how funny...i was drinking water at this show;) i miss you guys...i am working in a busy office right now...which is great for art supplies...but there is not a hippie in sight and its a little taxing on my energy...good news is good things going on with my abstracts lately...i'd love to come and paint live..and have Olivia paint too...hoping to get to Sherman but i'm not sure if i'll be able to yet:)
Love to you all and have a great show at Greenfest xoxooooo...Kate
Peace & Love, Sky
