The way music is produced and performed is growing at an astounding rate. From the roots of acoustic music to amped up rock n’ roll and into the electronic revolution, the options available to the modern musician are more like a scientific lab, then the campfire jam from where it all started. From the controls of a tiny laptop, a performer now has the power to mix, change and loop sounds in a concert setting with great ease. This modern twist of technology is bringing a new level of music to the electronic dance party.
While the genre of live electronica is relatively new on the music circuit, nobody is breaking the boundaries of live producing and improvisation like EOTO. Fusing elements of live instrumentation, house music, dubstep and electro into their dance ready sound, the band will be taking the country by storm beginning in late September for their perennial fall tour, performing 33 consecutive nights in a row.
Consisting of Michael Travis and Jason Hann the duo mixes the organic sounds of live drums, keyboards, vocals, bass, percussion, and guitar through a variety of programs and gadgets to create a style of music that is more likely found in a dance club, then a live music theater. What sets EOTO apart from other artists in this emerging genre is how the music is created. While some artists may spend hours pre-mixing samples and elements of music for their live show, EOTO uses nothing pre-recorded, giving them the ability to approach each song with on-the-spot spontaneity and 100% live improvisation.
Because of the ever-changing sound and style of music, it’s hard to describe a band like EOTO. In a recent discussion on the bands highly active Facebook page, the thousands of subscribed fans were asked to describe the band in their own words – descriptions ranged from mythical to visual, each in awe of the duo’s ability to create high octane dance music in a live setting. A trait that has fans old and new catching multiple shows on a tour and packing venues wherever they play. Or maybe EOTO is selling out venues around the coast for the spirit of dance music they bring in general. As one fan put it “It’s a raging dance party that nobody should miss. An indescribable feeling that lingers for hours“.
It should come as no surprise that the members of EOTO have performed with a range of musicians second to none. Their combined resume includes the likes of Isaac Hayes, Loreena McKinnett, Herbie Hancock, Drummers of STOMP, DJ Tequila, Les Nubians, Stanley Jordan, Les ClayPool, Joshua Redman, Arturo Sandoval, Bela Fleck, Trilok Gurtu, Charlie Hunter, Mike Marshall and Dave Grisman just to name a few. In less then 3 years, the duo has performed over 500 shows including the top festivals in North America. The machine that drives EOTO is more then just performing live music, the band also does all of their own self-management and booking for every single show they play.
Beginning in late September and performing every single night in October, EOTO will hit the road with their long-awaited studio EP called Fire the Lazers!!. This eleven-track journey into dubstep, electro and house music showcases their talents and skill in a growing dimension of music. In true EOTO spirit the album was produced with nothing planned or rehearsed, capturing only the best of what makes up their original sound. The album will be available on the road and by digital download in October of 2009.
TOUR DATES
09/29 Santa Cruz CA Moe’s Alley
09/30 San Francisco CA Mission Rock Cafe
10/01 Eureka CA Red Fox Tavern
10/02 Eugene OR McDonald Theatre
10/03 Portland OR Berbatis Pan
10/04 Bellingham WA The Night Light Lounge
10/05 Missoula MT The Palace
10/06 Bozeman MT The Filling Station
10/07 Fargo ND The Aquarium
10/08 Minneapolis MN The Cabooze
10/09 Madison WI High Noon Saloon
10/10 Chicago IL Abbey Pub
10/11 Kalamazoo MI Papa Pete’s
10/12 Columbus OH Scarlet & Grey Cafe
10/14 Buffalo NY Mohawk Place
10/15 Syracuse NY The Westcott Theater
10/16 Burlington VT Club Metronome
10/17 Allston MA Harper’s Ferry
10/18 Portland ME Port City Music Hall
10/19 Providence RI The Hi Hat
10/21 Albany NY Red Square
10/22 New York NY Sullivan Hall
10/23 Philadelphia PA World Cafe Live
10/24 Baltimore MD 8×10
10/25 Richmond VA Canal Club
10/26 Blacksburg VA Attitudes
10/28 St. Louis MO Old Rock House
10/29 Lincoln NE Bourbon Theatre
10/30 Denver CO Gothic Theatre
10/31 Lawrence KS The Granada
