Forming in Boulder, CO, ZILLA has three-man roster comprised of acclaimed musicians: Michael Travis, Jamie Janover and Aaron Holstein.
Michael Travis (drums, percussion, keyboards, sampler, mallet Kat) has spent over a decade as the driving percussive force in the nationally popular band, The String Cheese Incident. Travis continues to be an innovator of improvisational drumming, managing to play hand percussion and/or melodies while simultaneously keeping incredible time with the kit.
Aaron Holstein (guitar, bass, sampler, keys) has had a long and lush musical history, playing guitar with bands such as Boogie Shoes and Vibe Squad. Holsteins progression has transformed him from the notion of a typical guitar player, to an applauded adapter leaving behind the traditional notions of what it is to jam with a guitar or bass.
Jamie Janover (hammered dulcimer, Mini-kit, electric kalimba, mini-sitar, sampler, percussion, tamboura, tongue drum, water) is a world-renowned hammered dulcimer innovator whose long list of band credits is more than impressive. Winner of the 2002 national hammered dulcimer championships, Janover continues to expand the limits of all his instruments by creating a fusion between their timeless sounds and the pertinent call of todays modern dance scene.
Influences
Tipper, Schpongle, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Bassnectar, Theivery Corporation, Karsh Kale, Ooah, Tabla Beat Science, Mark Isham, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Lymbyc System, The New Deal, S.O.T.E.G., Si Begg, Kraddy, Burningman, Hamsa Lila, The Slip, Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead, Trilok Gurtu, Jason Hann, Alan Hertz, Home At Last, eDIT, Horning's Hideout, Dave Watts, Ina, Shambhalla Music Fest., El Circo, Sun Ra, Miles Davis, Zakir Hussain, Bill Laswell, Pat Metheney ... how much sleep we each get before a gig, the time of day that it is, how much we have eaten that day...
Sounds Like
This is best left up to you... check out our music:
http://www.cagefreerecords.com/catalog/zilla/index.html
Zilla is a Colorado based trio of musicians with the live experience in mind. A 100% organic, improvised experience, each Zilla concert proves to be a completely new occurrence, with even the band members having no idea where the music will take them night after night. Relying on their uncanny ability to listen and incorporate their individual talents into a group focused brand of live electronic dance music, Zilla is sweeping the country by storm with their rare breed of beats, bass and uncontrollable musical fury making each performance exactly what live music is all about: spontaneity, grooves, and a damn good dance party.
Forming in Bolder, CO, Zilla began as a quintet before changing to its current three man roster comprised of acclaimed musicians: Michael Travis, Aaron Holstein, and Jamie Janover. Michael Travis (drums, percussion, keyboards) has spent over a decade as the driving percussive force in the nationally popular String Cheese Incident. Travis continues to be an innovator of improvisational drumming, managing to play hand percussion while simultaneously keeping incredible rhythm with a kit. Aaron Holstein (guitar, bass, sampler) has had a long and lush musical history, playing guitar with bands such as Boogie Shoes and The Vibe Squad. Holsteins progression has transformed him from the notion of a typical guitar player, to an applauded adapter leaving behind the traditional notions of what it is to jam with a guitar or bass. His playing focuses on the whole of the sound, rather than the individual instrument. Jamie Janover (hammered dulcimer, mini-kit, percussion, sampler, electric kalimba, electric sitar, mini-electric kalimba) is a world renowned hammered dulcimer wizard whose list of band credits is more than impressive. One time hammered dulcimer Player of the Year, Janover continues to expand the limits of his instruments, creating a fusion between the timeless sounds of the dulcimer and the pertinent call of todays modern dance scene.
While each individuals accomplishments are impressive, the group identity theory behind Zilla is what truly makes the band unique. The constant focus of the group is to create a whole, complete sound devoid of noodles, wanking, solos and other characteristics that plaque improvisational music today. The music strives to serve all participating, including the audience. No one in the band has any idea what is going to happen a nanosecond ahead of time; they rely on their instincts and musical history together to create a sound that rarely strives from its intended direction. The collective whole is truly the dominant force in this band.
The music itself is a plethora of grooves, beats, and highly percussive breaks which cause the listener to become engulfed within the sonic vortex of sounds encompassing them. The band plays on pure emotion, so each night is different and varied, and no song is ever the same. ZIlla is about being as aware as humanly possible when youre in the moment. The band plays, the crowd reacts, the band reacts and so on and so on. A cyclical paradigm is created in which everyone plays a part. Its a whole new form of tension-release music in which the music never has to resolve itself in order to sustain the mood. It merely adapts and heads in whatever direction dictated by the experience.
Essentailly, Zilla is the ultimate live experience. Many bands try to accomplish the amount of music communication that these three musicians employ their entire careers. This band is all about the music first, which is how it should be. The music plays the band, and not the other way around. Their infectious energy has crowds across the nation dancing up a storm to a completely new band of musical experience.
id love to thank yall me and my boo were ragin face front row center for the last 20 min of yals sonic bloom set and i have to say it was hands down the best time of my life... so far..many more to come and we hope to share them
I dont get to see you guys enough as Zilla. When I do its always such a great experience. Thank you for Sonic Bloom and keep it up. Love your guys' music
June 1, 2008: SeedSource. org presents the first in a series of networking events for Arts & Entertainment industry professionals: SeedSource 1.0.
Where: Temple SF (540 Howard St.) When: June 1 . 6:30PM - 2:00AM Details : www. SeedSource. org.
The focus for SeedSource 1. 0 is on Eco-Entertainment, with interactive presentations highlighting the latest innovations, tools and technology used for 'greening' our industry.
The Eco-Entertainment Conference will feature two interactive discussion panels:
SOURCES AND SOLUTIONS Discover the practical and profitable eco-solutions that are transforming the entertainment industry, from compostable cutlery to tree-free tickets and city- sponsored recycling workshops. Featuring special guests from the SF Entertainment Commission, SF Dept of the Environment, and more.
ART AS EDUCATION Meet the innovators who are redefining the boundaries between aesthetic and ethical ideals, from temples made of 'trash' to eco-luxury design. Featuring presentations from:
Shrine Carey Thompson Jonathan Youtt and more....
AFTERHOURS RECEPTION - ONLY $10! An Afterhours Reception will feature two rooms of live and electronic music, costumes, creations, and performance art. Featured artists include:
Beats Antique Mozaic Majitope Shawna Pedro IXD KnowSleep featuring Taylor Maidenspace The Flying Skulls Serpentfeathers Videolicious and more...
I'm in the process of coercing a bunch of our pals to come out east for Sonic Bloom. I'm so stoked! I live on the other side of the mountain of winter park and I've never been there. It's gonna rage. Love!
