Lotus at The Electric Factory - 1/29/2016
Philadelphia, Pa
words and photos by Alex Buschiazzo
Philadelphia eventually always gets its winter weather...it has to. Last night was no exception , temps dipping into the 20s with high winds but about 2200 of us kept warm inside the close-to-sold out, always raging Electric Factory with Lotus and special guest post-rock duo El Ten Eleven, from Los Angeles. The timing for Lotus seemed well executed with releasing their new track Eats The Light the day of their tour opener in Philadelphia. Joined by Gabe Otto on vocals, the track has been made public and can be streamed here on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lotusvibes/eats-the-light
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Staples of Jam nobility, Lotus has been electrifying (and arguably helped pioneer) the jamtronica/jamdance scene with their constant touring and devout following since 1999. A very psychedelic yet structured groove comes from this troupe, keeping feet moving basically all night and exploring jams in a rock-like method. Just 10 minutes to 10pm the band took the stage in Philly hopping right into their cool jazzy hit, 'Jump Off' from the 2004 album, Nomad followed later in the set by twangy guitar favorite, 'Hammerstrike' and the new track 'Eats the Light'. This new song has a quick step to it and has a sure David Byrne vocals/Talking Heads sound to it while maintaining a fluid bounce. Only two of the songs played Friday night contained lyrics, leaving the enlightened crowd of hippie chicks, spinners, bros, flat brimmers, pot heads, pinners and the sparkly-eyed molly dippers to absorb a very heavily jammed 2nd set and a detailed lightshow delivery. Songs like Kesey Seed (from Strength of Ties-2006) and the familiar Wax graced set two concluding with a three song encore, playing until absolute curfew at the eFactory.
It’s worth mentioning the songwriting and style of brothers Jesse and Luke Miller has evolved while staying on the touring rails for so many years. The process involved seems trained and well paced in an organic nature mixing a rock/jam balance that I’d agree most people can ‘get down with’. Philly native Mike Greenfield delivered a solid background of beats and percussion joined by Chuck Morris who also joined in on background vocals with the Miller Brothers. Mike Rempel is a bit of a hidden shredder, you can see the potential he has to unleash a lashing solo from the 6-string but the man keeps his cool very well and proves essential to this mix.
Lotus makes the next few stops on their tour at the F-Shed in Syracuse, NY, Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT, the State Threatre in Portland, ME, Higher Ground in Burlington,VT, Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, House of Blues in Boston, Terminal 5 in NYC and later stretching down to Florida's Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival in early March. Lotus has also been added to the Mountain Music Festival in New River Gorge, WV.
Electric Factory Philadelphia 1/29/2016
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Photo gallery of Lotus at The Electric Factory 1/29
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