On any given Friday night, you’ll find the city of Austin brimming with a variety of great live music. Within the array, sometimes you’ll get to experience something that is truly unique. And, when the stars align, it can be transcendent. Those that are wise to the power of prog were treated to such an event on Friday night. A throng of fans joined four of Austin’s most interesting bands at the Lazy Lizard for a night of camaraderie, fun, and mind-bendingly awesome music.

Are the rumors true?
Can I really have my funk and classical too?

Indeed, this is a confirmed fact.
Black Ladder provides the proof. The evening began with the power trio combining classical melodies with funk hooks and hard rock riffs to elevate minds everywhere. Band members Shane Lamb (keyboard), Clarence Riley IV (Bass), and Ray Cardenas (drums) delighted the crowd with their awe-inspiring arrangements.

Outer Light, Inner Darkness

Such is the title and thematic premise of the latest offering from the Aaron Clift Experiment, and fans were treated to selections from the album at last night’s show. As crowd members welcomed “Kissed by the Sun” with a bellow of “PLAY THE LONG VERSION!” the band did not disappoint. The musicality of the entire group is notable, with talent on overdrive from Clift himself on vox and keyboards, as well as the jaw-dropping musical gifts of Eric Guttierez on guitar, Joe Resnick on drums, and Devin North on bass.

The Metamorphosis

“Now You’re in for a Real Treat”

Me being a rookie to the Muppletone sound, such was the promise given to me by a fellow crowd member just as the group began their set. And it was not just a treat – it was a smorgasbord of sound and fury, signifying everything. If you can imagine yourself kayaking down a river of fire and alligators in a boat carved from the sounds of a thousand feed-backed violins, you might have a small sense of the power wrought by Muppletone’s Aaryn M. Russell, James Shepherd, Phil Davidson, Mike Ded, and Josh Robbins. It was a great way to cap an incredible event.

It is pure, intellectual bliss. You feel welcomed and challenged at the same time. You start to wonder if the term “serious party” is an oxymoron or not.

From the very first listen, Stop Motion Orchestra will invite you into their fantastic world with a sound that might be described as “raucously elegant.” The group’s variety of musical styles (free jazz, modern classical, prog, new wave) combine brilliantly to create something new. This is not some post-modern amalgam though. This is a new form of beauty, a style that has its own catchy hooks that pull you in, but then slide into more complex melodies and rhythms that keep you coming back for more. Every listen is an adventure. And, you feel like the group has as much fun playing their music as you have listening to it.

From my interview with the band’s founder, Mohadev, it sounds like the group does sincerely enjoy their art. Mohadev composes most of the music and provides impressive electric guitar chops, while bringing leadership to his “dream band.”

Formed in 2014, the group is made up of local Austin musicians, each of whom bring something unique to the party.  Alden Doyle is a classically trained violinist who can also play a mean fiddle. Check out his beautiful work on the song “News and Ice Cream.” Henna Chou is the cellist and synth player. Chou is an artist who also helps run Church of the Friendly Ghost, the local arts organization that supports the annual New Media Art and Sound Summit. Sam Arnold is the man on bass and acoustic guitar. He also plays and sings in local band Opposite Day, and you can hear the math rock goodness shine through in his work for the Orchestra. Polyrhythmic drumming bliss is provided courtesy of prog rocker Charlie Duncan, who also plays in local band Obnosticon. Leila Henley, also known for her work with the Invincible Czars, provides woodwinds and voice.

Personally, I’m new to Stop Motion Orchestra, even though their album Instant Everything! has been out for more than a year. I’m impressed – and have had it on repeat for some time now. Something tells me that I’ll be enjoying their sound for years to come.

As violinist Alden Doyle says, “we all have great respect for Mohadev’s compositions, which push the progressive envelope, but always remain a bit more familiar.”

I couldn’t agree more and hope that you do too.

You can check out Stop Motion Orchestra live on January 9th, 2016 when they open for Thinking Plague at the Salvage Vanguard Theater. Buy tickets here.

This unexpected cover of Ministry’s “Just One Fix” will both entertain and challenge. Perfect notes stream in their analog grandeur from a concert viola as they slide over the complex beat of drum bots assembled with spare parts obtained from the local auto parts store.

Oh ya – it’s also got a great beat and you can dance to it.