Saturday May 17 – Dual Pathways feat. Blockhead, and more!

This Saturday May 17^th be sure not to miss “Dual Pathways” a special ensemble cast of some very heady musicians.  The event features some of my favorites including Consider the Source, Blockhead, Dizgo, Space Bacon, Dizgo, as well as Les Special and Others.

40 bucks for a jam-packed night of music. 5 plus sets. 5 hours of music.  Killer line up.

Dual Pathways ft. lespecial, Consider the Source, Blockhead & more Tickets at Underground Arts in Philadephia by Underground Arts | Tixr

The set up seems really enticing. Basically UA (underground arts) is setting up 2 stages – one in their mainstage area and one in their second – “back room” stage – which should allow for an unbroken chain of music for approximately 5 hours, crowds moving in succession from one stage to another, with musical acts each complimenting the other nicely given the quality of the multiple acts featured.  These artists include:

<u>Consider the Source</u>

My first encounter with Consider the Source was over 10 years ago at Amberland – a small independent festival thrown by Perpetual Groove in South Georgia.  Consider the Source played the late night set and shredded so viciously the kick drum exploded.  Back in the day they used to dress up like sailors leading you on a psychedelic journey into the ocean of consciousness.  Gabe Marin – lead guitarist – most prominently features in his repertoire of stringed instruments a double neck fretless guitar – exploring novel soundscapes with heavy doses of eastern melodies and microtonal bonanzas.  The bassist – John Ferrara – is one of the most talented rock bassists alive – pure virtuoso rhythm and scales, slapping, looping, creating musical patters you never realized possible on the bass guitar. The drummer Jeff Mann is also a polyrhythmic powerhouse, pushing the eastern fusion sound into novel arenas of syncopation.  It’s hard to explain the sum of Consider the Source’s parts other than what the band themselves dub “Sci-fi fusion” soaked in Indian and Middle Eastern styles.  Consider the Source is a truly unique experience not to be missed.

<u>Blockhead</u>

While most of the musicians at Dual Pathways are jam based or Eastern Jam Jazz (like my Dudes Consider the Source), it also features Blockhead – one of the premier hip hop (trip hop?) DJs alive.  My ex-roomie from West Philly – Carson – knows way more about music than I do and calls Blockhead “the Goat”. Blockhead is probably best known for his work collaborating and producing some of Aesop Rock’s most popular tracks in the early and mid 2000’s but Blockhead is also a good dude who will definitely chat with you, talk about his work, and sign some merch. Blockhead is going to be a nice change-up of some down-tempo beats and melodies. Plus Carson says he is the GOAT which carries some serious weight.

<u>Dizgo</u>

Dizgo is a highly polished jam outfit hailing from Indiana. Their state may have given us a horrible Catholic conservative judge who helped kill bodily autonomy for women, but don’t judge these guys for it.  Indiana has also given us the likes of Umphrey’s McGee and now Dizgo, some serious professional jam musicians that remind us that just because some people from your state suck – not all people do.  Thanks to Dizgo, Indianans as well as Americans at large – can dance and have a shared experience of good vibes, welcoming music, and shared danceability.  Dizgo is certainly taking the Umphreys McGee mantle and running with it – showing us that great jam bands are not just limited to VT, Connecticut, or the coasts.  Expect one hour of high energy danceable jam music that will put a smile on your face.

The show is also featuring <u>Space Bacon</u>, Brooklyn’s finest jam band, who have a killer cover of Alice Dee Jay’s Better Off Alone that I wouldn’t mind hearing.  Space Bacon also does not disappoint and they will make sure you don’t stop moving during the entirety of their trans-fused, instrumental heavy, energetic, dance-a-thon set. <u>Les Special </u>the headliner – brings a darker tone to the mix – with their blend of prog – rock, hip hop beats, over an electronic soundscape.  Their frequent touring schedule has built a large following around this group and I’m excited for what would be my first <u>Les Special</u> live experience.

For under 40 bucks, you get 2 stages, constant music, for likely over 5 hours, of unbroken music. This is definitely marked as one of my top events of the year.  Let’s just hope that my actual day time responsibilities on Saturday of coaching little baseball, then street drinking at the Italian Market Fest, and getting kids fed and asleep so they don’t bug momma too much, does not torpedo my ability to make it out to this incredible night.  Even if I am old, and lame, and pass out by the time the music starts around 7 PM, it doesn’t mean you have to.  Definitely hit up this event if you are a lover of the jam scene, trip Hop, or just an old fashioned psycadelic freak out.  For a non-festival / one night experience, <u>Dual Pathways</u> features one of the best line ups I’ve ever seen at such a cheap price point. Underground Arts is an intimate setting but with sufficient space that you do not feel too crammed in. Plus their security tend to be chill and you can usually re-enter shows.  All in all this should be one of the better events of the year.  Hope to see you on the flippity.