Monday, January 9, 2012
Hip-Hop Review: Echomaker at White Rabbit Cabaret
Posted by Danielle Look on Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 12:15 PM
If you're in to Indy hip hop, you've probably seen Echomaker before, or at least some piece of it. Think of it like a super-group of established artists and musicians from local record labels Audio Recon and Pattern Hungry. Echomaker takes an artistic approach to spoken word and rap by injecting it with soulful jazz, lively beats, and superb instrumentation.
Watching the group perform on the vast stage of Fountain Square's White Rabbit, I recollected fragmented memories and experiences with each of Echomaker's members over the past few years. There was that one time at The Indy Hostel that rapper Corey Salas moved me with his spoken words. There was that one beat battle at Northside News where I watched Neil Cain sing, play the keys, and drop beats... and that other time I saw him at Big Car selling beautiful Pattern Hungry merchandise. There was this art show I once went to in the basement of a random gallery on Prospect Street in Fountain Square that vibraphone player Dan Marquis showed up to. I think he was there to take in the visuals, but when the house band asked him to sit in on drums, he quickly accepted the offer.
What I'm getting at is that these people are extremely creative and full of artistic energy. While each member of the group has been involved with countless projects and shows around the city, it feels like they've finally struck the perfect chord. All the right elements have been combined to create a sound that's groovy and accessible, yet imaginative and cutting edge.
The show consisted mostly of tracks from Echomaker's new EP, Concrete Seeds. Marquis' jubilant vibraphone was most noticeable on "Step Back," giving the song the effect of a dream-like state of mind. Trombone and bass guitarist Dietrick Klooster was animated in every move he made- acting out the lyrics of songs and dancing with remarkable fluidity. I was taken aback by Cain's passionate guitar playing. I had only seen him on keys in the past and found pleasure in his emotional facial expressions as he performed.
"Unassuming Paths" was my favorite song of the show, presented in an extended version that included a rowdy breakdown half way through via Eric Brown on drums. Cain delivered an awe-inspiring guitar solo and Salas addressed the audience directly, "We're gonna break through all of those barriers!" Incredibly groovy with just a pinch of funk, the track was by far the most engaging in their repertoire.
Though attendance was light inside The White Rabbit Cabaret as Echomaker concluded their set, there was a noticeable demand for one more song. After a brief conference by the band on stage, Salas announced an encore of two mashed-together songs the band is still in the process of finishing.
Echomaker is currently supporting their new EP, Concrete Seeds, with local gigs and hopes to tour regionally in the spring. Downloads and CD's are available on their Bandcamp page.
Echomaker performs live at the White Rabbit Cabaret.
Related Locations
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White Rabbit Cabaret
- 1116 E. Prospect St., Fountain Square Fountain Square Indiana
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317-686-9550
- www.whiterabbitcabaret.com/
- (based on 1 user review)
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