12/19/17 - Special Guest: Backbeat Underground, a DC Jazz Funk Band

DC Music Rocks

Thanks to Satya and RJ from DC jazz funk band, Backbeat Underground, for hanging out with us in the studio this week!

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Podcast: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, PodBean, PlayerFM, or THIS URL in your app of choice

FROM TODAY'S SHOW

MUSIC

1. The Way I Love You, by Exit 10 (Blues, Jazz)
2. She Don't Love Me(Like I Do), by Backbeat Underground f/ Aaron Abernathy (Funk, Jazz)
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   -Interview Break-
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3. Angels, by Time Is Fire (Rock)
4. Bad Girl (Live), by Black Alley (Rock, Hip Hop)
5. Winter Wonderland, by The Harry Bells (World, Calypso)

->Follow The Show's Spotify Playlist<-

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

BACKBEAT UNDERGROUND SIGNED WITH FT KNOX RECORDING!

THE LISTEN LOCAL FIRST HOLIDAY PLAYLIST!
We collaborated with the team over at Listen Local First and put together a holiday playlist of exclusively DC region artist’s holiday music. It’s about 4 hours long! Finally, a way to celebrate the holidays without those same old tired Holiday Tunes! It will play at local businesses as well as events around town for the holidays. We hope you’ll use it at your get togethers as well!
www.dcmusicrocks.com/playlists

SHIRTS (XMAS GIFT IDEA)!
(Last time we’ll share this, promise!) DC Music Rocks T-shirts and Long Sleeve Shirts are up on our website and available through Amazon, they make a great gift idea for your musician friends and family for the holidays!
http://www.dcmusicrocks.com/shirts

SPONSOR PROGRAM LAUNCHED!
It’s a great opportunity for local businesses wanting to connect specifically with the local DMV music crowd! If you have ideas on who would make great sponsors, please do reach out to us!
http://www.dcmusicrocks.com/sponsor

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NEW MUSIC

• Robbie Schaefer - Sounds Like Home (10 Song Full Album)
• Christos DC - Tessera Dub (12 Song Album, remakes of August album Tessera)
• Letitia Vansant - Where I’m Bound (Single)
• Letitia Vansant - Get it to the studs (Single)
• Jen Miller - No Good (Single)
• Ddespair - Under This Tree (Holiday Single)
• The North Country - Don’t Shop Just Love (Holiday Single)

Backbeat Underground announced their new release with Aaron Abernathy which we played on the show! Hope you'll go pick up a copy!

Our ‘2017 New Releases by DC Artists’ Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/user/dcmusicrocks/playlist/24KrZD9KlUE2yC3eT2oBUI

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THIS 2 WEEK'S LOCAL DC SHOWS TO SEE

http://www.dcmusicrocks.com/local-music-calendar

Dec 22 Fri
Yellow Dubmarine & The Loving Paupers @ Hamilton Live by Metro Center (in NW DC)

Dec 23 Sat
Hayley Fahey Band for ‘A Derwood Christmas’ at Outta The Way Cafe in Derwood Md

Dec 27 Wed
Run Come See @ The Kennedy Center Millenium Stage near Foggy Bottom (in NW DC)

Dec 28 Thu
Broke Royals & Owen Danoff @ (The Brand New) Union Stage (Grand Opening) in The Wharf (in SW DC)
Aztec Sun @ Gypsy Sally’s in Georgetown (in NW DC)

Dec 29 Fri
Rocknoceros, The Duskwhales, Milo in the Doldrums @ Union Stage in The Wharf (in SW DC)

Dec 30 Sat
Wings Denied, Technicians, Calm & Crisis @ Rock N Roll Hotel on H St (in NE DC)

Dec 31 Sun
Too many to choose! Check them all out! http://www.dcmusicrocks.com/local-music-calendar
Caustic Casanova, Lionize, Thievery Corporation, The Beanstalk Library, Dangerous Curves, Sub-Radio, Higher Education, Run Come See, 19th St Band, Black Alley, Vintage#18

Jan 2 Tues
Venn @ Milkboy Arthouse in College Park, MD

Jan 4 Thu
Cinema Hearts @ Comet Ping Pong up on Connecticut (in NW DC)

Backbeat Underground Upcoming Show to See - Feb 5, Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center! Mark Your Calendar!

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Patreon

Would you support us? We'd love to grow and do more! We're giving away shirts, access to our private facebook group, and more! We also intend to set aside 10% to contribute directly in the DC Local Music Scene through charities, sponsorships, events, etc. We want to continue to pay it forward!

HUGE shoutout to our current Patrons!
--Daniel Warren Hill --David Mohl

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Backbeat Underground

VIDEO - BIO - LINKS - TRANSCRIPT

Backbeat Undergound's Bio:

Born in the depths of subterranean groove gatherings, Backbeat Underground is a Washington, DC based instrumental funk group with soul jazz influences. Bringing their years of collective experience in the DC and NYC music scenes, the band delivers tight, energetic sets steeped in fresh improvisation and head-bopping, booty-shaking pockets.

Bandleader Satya Thallam is also one half of the production duo Astronaut Jones which recently completed the original score for the series "Superhuman" now premiering Season 2.

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Soundcloud
Bandcamp
Spotify
iTunes
Twitter
Youtube

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INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

Brian: Backbeat Underground featuring Aaron Abernathy and the track is, 'She don't love me like I do' and that's the single that they released and holy smokes guys! It's so freaking good, man!

Satya: Thank you sir.

Brian: There's all the good feels that are happening with that thing.

Satya: We recorded it live as a band and I hope that comes across. It's not stacked up isolated instruments and parts.

Brian: Everybody together. [crosstalk 00:00:30] And Aaron singing at the same time?

Satya: I think we may have kind of [crosstalk 00:00:33]dubbed him layer by layer, but he's singing along in the booth with us so we can- [crosstalk 00:00:36]

Brian: Yeah. Scratch vocal track or something. Holy smokes, guys. Amazing. Well, let me give a proper introduction here. So on DC Music Rocks we're shining a spotlight on the great songs, artists and incredible people behind the DC region's local music scene. And born in the depths of subterranean groove gatherings, Backbeat Underground is a Washington, D.C. based instrumental funk group with soul jazz influences. The band delivers tight, energetic sets steeped in fresh improvisation and head bopping, booty shaking beats. So it's so good. I first came across these guys when I had Andy Cerutti from Fort Knox Recording was one of the guests on the show and he turned me on to you guys, and I've been such a fan. So thank you for being here, guys.

Satya: Also, we gotta say, thank you for having us on, but also thank you for doing this. For doing the show and putting D.C., and Virginia, Maryland and D&V, because it is an amazing scene and I think people, especially that come from other parts of the country, they think of D.C. in one way and I don't think that's accurate. And I think you know what I mean.

Brian: Right.

RJ: Yeah.

Satya: They see one version of it on TV and all the noise... but there's an amazing culture happening- [crosstalk 00:01:54]

RJ: Because our arts scene is somewhat underground really.

Brian: That's true.

RJ: But big shout outs to you-

Brian: Well we're bringing it out from underground absolutely and I'm glad you guys came out from underground too with those subterranean groove gatherings we were talking about. Before I go on introduce yourselves to the folks because they can hear you. So tell them your name and what you play with Backbeat Underground and say where Backbeat Underground came from.

Satya: This is Satya. I play sax and percussion and do a lot of the writing in Backbeat Underground.

RJ: My name is RJ and I rumpa-tum-tum on the drums.

Brian: I'm sorry. How does that go?

RJ: Rumpa-tum-tums.

Brian: Oh god, it's so good.

RJ: Happy Holidays.

Brian: I love it. And Backbeat Underground: how did it start? Where did it come from?

Satya: So at George Washington University they have these rehearsal rooms- I don't even know if most people, even the people that go there, know about it, but there's a cafeteria, like a mall food court in one of the buildings and off to the side there's these music rehearsal rooms and they have instruments and speakers and microphones you can use. And one of our partners in the band, John, plays guitar and was going to school there. If you're a student you can use it for free or for a pretty nominal fee so we started- there was no intent. We would do Grant Green covers and Meters tunes and jam sessions that we kind of knew.

And from there we thought there's kind of a sound, we kind of thought of ourselves as a- you know those like crate digging DJs who find those break beats and go through- like down the street here there's the CD Cellar. They try to find those hidden sort of drum, funky breaks? We thought of ourselves as like a live version of that. Like what if that was a live band that was doing it? But not the original band that was doing it, but anyway... And I think the name came out of that because these groups are literally underground. You wouldn't know they're there. No one can hear them. They're kind of like "in the dark no one can hear you scream." Like that kind of thing that's like that weird thing where-

Brian: You just became a horror movie. No no no.

Satya: So I think that the band came out of those- there was no intent. We just got together to play. And then the name was- I think the band rejected every idea that I had. And at some point I just became like "whatever. Whatever you guys want to do. That's fine." So I think the Underground was sort of a nod to that.

Brian: Underground was a nod, and then the backbeat gives it to that kind of funk and soul and some of the stuff you're going on [crosstalk 00:04:34]

Satya: Yeah it's kind of literal. I don't love the name. I'll be honest with you. It's just-

RJ: You're engaged to it at this point.

Satya: I guess.

Brian: I was gonna say at this point you've come a long way

Satya: Divorce would be so expensive at this point. We've got kids and everything. Man, we stayed together for the kids, but you know when the kids are out of the house I guess.

RJ: As soon as they hit 18.

Brian: Yeah, once they've gone off to college they might have a [inaudible 00:05:02]

Satya: Yeah, get a one bedroom in the city, visit my songs on the weekend, like I don't know.

Brian: Oh, this is so good.

Satya: I don't know. Let's do it. Let's get weird.

Brian: What's the... what's your D.C. region connection then? You started at Foggybottom. Is everybody from here or what's the connection to this region?

RJ: Well, I'm from Sterling, born and raised.

Satya: That's RJ.

RJ: Oh yeah, RJ, sorry. I'm from Sterling. Shout out Park View High school. Patriot pride. But no here, so that's where I'm from. Currently live in Arlington and all of us currently live in or near- we're all in Arlington now right?

Satya: Yeah, I think so. [crosstalk 00:05:46] Yeah, I mean RJ's a native and I love it because we always like word thing about the city and how things have changed over time. The rest of us are from all over. Two of us are from New York City. Just kind of all over.

Brian: And where are you from? Are you one of the ones from New York City?

Satya: Yeah, I'm from New York, and I've been here about eleven, twelve years.

Brian: Nice.

Satya: I feel like official Washingtonian coming on WERA.

Brian: There you go, right? This is legit local stuff man. Absolutely. You'll be on multiple local stations and podcasts and all over the local scene. I love it. Now, talk about you guys on the personal side. So outside of this whole music thing, are there hobbies? What do you do with your free time?

RJ: I love live music so I'm very grateful for this [inaudible 00:06:36] and then I just- If I'm not on the stage I try to be in front of the stage somewhere. And that takes a lot of my time.

Satya: RJ, you love museums and art installations.

RJ: Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I'm somewhat of a-

Satya: It's kinda low key, but he's kind of a slut for art.

RJ: I'm into the D.C. arts, not just music I guess. I'm in all the pop-up exhibits, all the pop-up whatever.

Brian: Have you been to one recently? What's most recent?

Satya: Arctic House? [crosstalk 00:07:09]

RJ: Yeah, I went to Arctic House not that long ago. I know coming up I'm going to the miracle on whatever street that is- the pop-up, the Christmas bar?

Satya: On 7th street.

Brian: Yeah

RJ: Yeah. 7th. Yeah.

Brian: Nice. What about you Satya?

Satya: Same. I try to be around musicians and my friends are kind of broken up between musicians and folks in the service industry and restaurant industry so "everyone's a little bit of a foodie these days", but I-

Brian: I hope they sound just like that when you talk about it too- [crosstalk 00:07:44]

Satya: It just sounds so basic at this point when someone says like, "I'm really into- I'm a foodie." It just sounds so basic.

RJ: Yeah.

Satya: But a lot of my friends work in the wine industry, distributors and stuff like that so I like to think that I'm- I get kind of pedantic about music. "You've got to listen to this. Here's why this important. Check this out." But it's a reverse for things like that: food and wine. I just love being around them and they tell me and they say, "This is good." And I say, "Okay, it's good. I'll drink it. I don't have an opinion. [crosstalk 00:08:13] I'll just absorb it.

Brian: I wish I could reach out to all those people and say, "Listen to D.C. Music rocks so that I can tell you about the local music scene-

Satya: Yeah

Brian: Because that's almost the idea right? We're presenting this in a way that people who don't know anything about it, they can just listen. I'll share it with you. We just- it's so good.

Satya: Yeah, hopefully they're receptive. [crosstalk 00:08:30]

Brian: Yeah. Now what about the biggest success moment that comes to mind for you guys when you think on Backbeat Underground?

RJ: For me that would be playing on Lincoln Theater.

Satya: Oh, that's right.

RJ: Yeah. That was amazing because like-

Brian: When was that?

Satya: September last-

RJ: 2016.

Satya: 2016, so a little over a year ago.

RJ: It was the D.C. Arts Music Festival.

Satya: It was Labor Day, 2016, or Labor Day weekend. Around that. I totally forgot about that, not that it's not important. I mean it's a historic venue. That was- I think that theater, Lincoln Theater, was around during the heyday of Black Broadway.

RJ: Yeah, it was. Yeah, yeah.

Satya: One of the few venues that are still around from the pre-riots and even before that, the Duke Ellington era. So it was cool just standing on that stage. The crowd was great. The sound was amazing. I think a future accomplishment that I'm proud of preemptively is we're gonna be playing at the Kennedy Center this upcoming February.

Brian: That's right. February 5th, which is gonna be big too.

Satya: You've had a lot of artists here play the Millennium Stage, but it's just a cool thing to be able to say you've played at the Kennedy Center. The last thing I would say, I think it's not a single thing, but there's this event that happens every year in May for the last four or five years called Fun Parade and it takes place, usually in the first or second weekend of May on U Street and if you haven't been they close down the whole street. And it's not just a parade. There are literally fifties, hundreds of bands, all over. It's kind of like South by Southwest but just way more colorful

RJ: And one day.

Satya: Like less square. And we've played it every year, and that's just- Every year I look forward to that because it is people bring it. People bring it.

RJ: They dance.

Satya: They dance. They're there all day. Even last year it rained and no one cared. They just went out and they loved it. It's free too, so-

Brian: Yeah. Check that one out. Now, my favorite question to ask: If you could offer one piece of advice, what would it be?

RJ: Man, perfect your craft, whatever it is. Whether it's playing drums, whether it's singing, whether it's drawing, whatever. Perfect your craft and just always be ready and open to the ways of the world because you never know what can happen.

Satya: Yeah man. This is how I do good. A couple years ago I made the concerted effort to always say yes. Just say yes because every opportunity will have some part of it where you think, "Well that's not quite right. That's not the people that I wanna play with," or "that's not that great of a venue." The worst case scenario if you accept a gig or a jam session is you got to play some music and at the end of it you go on to the next thing.

I actually met RJ that way. We did- it would take a long time to explain the gig, but it was a mutual friend and the gig was fine, but afterwards we were packing up and we had the room for a little bit and we just spontaneously started jamming. And we were like, "Well this is great." And he made sure as we were packing up to say, "Seriously, if you got something call me." We'll do it. And it was maybe a couple years later actually, but I did. But I remembered him. I remembered how open he was and just his energy and spirit and, just say yes.

RJ: Yeah.

Brian: I've caught myself doing that lately when sometimes you're looking at it like, "No," and shame on

Satya: Yeah, you get around town and-

Brian: Shame on me for- cause yes. Say yes, man. You got opportunities, [crosstalk 00:12:16] and that's true outside of music too or whatever it is that you're doing, say yes to these opportunities. Don't say no. Now, for folks who want to find out more about the cool things happening with Backbeat Underground where's the best place to go?

Satya: The website is Backbeatunderground.com, but you can search us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. It's all Backbeat Underground. You'll find us.

Brian: Backbeat Underground. Very awesome. And now, if you wanna be guests on this show you gotta bring good music with you and these guys have definitely come through. I've never heard this band until you guys brought them up and I love that we have them. So tell us what you have first here guys.

Satya: This is Angels by Time is Fire.

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