Moe's Alley presents the Santa Cruz debut of SOPHISTAFUNK from New York. Sophistafunk brings an infectious blend of live party funk and conscious live hip-hop. Local favorites ELIQUATE round out this double bill making for a party not to be missed!
"Combining the vibes of funk music with the intensity of hip hop and spoken-word poetry, Syracuse-based group SOPHISTAFUNK specializes in cross-genre music. The three-man band features vocals from Jack Brown, drums by Emanuel Washington, and keyboard, bass, & backup vocals by Adam Gold." - Evan Johnson, The Ithacan
SOPHISTAFUNK met in 2007 and rapidly evolved into a national-touring live act. Known for their HUGE sound (created by only three members), the band has won over crowds with a captivating stage presence and tight musicianship. Rooted by old school funk / hip hop, the trio explores electronic dance grooves while infusing each tune with soul and positively charged lyrics. SOPHISTAFUNK is a multi-genre tour de force, jam packed with vintage tones and live instruments. Catch ONE show, and you will be hooked!
What people are saying:
"Syracuse’s SOPHISTAFUNK, who blended hip-hop, funk and rock flawlessly to create a sound very much their own, moved seamlessly between improvised jams on the keys, soul-filled choruses and blistering rapping... A remarkably proficient band of top notch musicians... a fantastic hip hop jazz band." - TJ Olsen, Beyond Race Magazine (New York City)
"SOPHISTAFUNK has a genre-destroying range of musical ability and mix of socially-conscious lyrics. Much of the trio’s set was spent rifling through thick instrumental funk, fluid vocals, soul crooning, metal, reggae and intricate interplay between Adam Gold’s four-keyboard setup and Emanuel Washington’s drums -- an infectious journey that left the full crowd gasping for air." - Dan Rys, The Daily Free Press (Boston)
"Syracuse's SOPHISTAFUNK, like the name implies, prefers its hip hop covered in a dripping later of funk. ...Between putting out an album, winning the 2009 Syracuse Big Break Contest, and opening for superstars like Fergie, it seems like the band is off to a great start." - Rob Sickelco, City News (Rochester)
"SOPHISTAFUNK has proved that they have the staying power to make an impact on our scene. Their full summer schedule includes a number of club shows and an alarming amount of festival performances. Be sure to catch them on the road this summer, you will not be disappointed... Who knew that merging the new school with the old school could be this much fun?" - Selena Hodom, The Groovelink Magazine
ABOUT ELIQUATE
“If all we have are dreams, then dream big,” spits Elliot Wright, frontman and philosopher for the five-piece, California Beat Rock troubadours, Eliquate, on their latest EP, Who The F*ck is Eliquate? Packing an arsenal of rhymes that range from satirical social commentary and inner-soul searching to all-out, shake-your-ass-‘til-the floor-is-wet jams, Eliquate’s music has been charging parties up and down the West Coast since 2009. In that time span, they’ve graced the stage with underground royalty such as Murs, Del the Funky Homosapien, Zion-I, and RJD2 just to name a few. But, who the f*ck is Eliquate anyway?
Unlike most MCs, Wright didn’t start writing until later in his life. His love for words pushed him to jot down more than just lyrics but meaningful messages for Wright’s peers to think about and connect with. The next piece of the puzzle would fall into place when a friend told him about a guy who was making beats that he might want to connect with. Wright met beat-maker and soon-to-be Eliquate guitarist, Jamie Schnetzler, one day as Schnetzler was eating some questionable-looking Chinese food. As Wright tells it, “I asked him if it was any good, he said, ‘yes.’ I tried it, it was, and I’ve trusted him ever since.”
The dream would continue to grow over the next year with the addition of bass-slappin’ sounds by Cosmo Stevens, the pounding beats of Dan Wells and Tanner Christiansen’s blend of samples and keyboard. In 2010 Eliquate released their first album, Arch Rhythm, perfecting their sound by tapping into a social consciousness greater than any of their individual selves. “We wanted it to be party music with a purpose,” claims Schnetzler.
Drawing influence from all musical styles, the creative quintet build an energetic, live performance that is second to none. On any given night, Eliquate will break from convention and bust into an improvised jam with Wright free-styling on the mic to every audience’s amusement. That’s where Eliquate’s real power lies: they’ll hook anyone on the dance floor with their passionate melodies and create fans with their ingenuity and insightful lyrics.
So, who the f*ck is Eliquate? Well, now you know. They are a powerful mix of music and message currently rocking down doors on their Northwest Tour. But the final question remains: what does the future hold for our gang of intellectual deviants? Two words: dream big. |
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