Mile High Music Festival Coverage - Galactic

Robert Mercurio and Richard Vogel of Galactic taken at the Mile High
Music Festival, Denver, CO

I had the opportunity to sit down with Funk/Jazz Fusion band Galactic before their live set today at the Mile High Music Festival in Denver CO.  Bassist Robert Mercurio and Keyboardist Richard Vogel told me a little about touring, their current album From the Corner to the Block, as well as scooping me on what is to come for the band's next release.   They were as smooth and easy to talk to as their music is to listen to. 

Galactic has been hitting the festival circuit this summer, saying it is ideal for their writing and collaborative process on the new album.  They play the festivals on the weekends and head home for studio time during the weekdays.  When asked whether they preferred the festivals to the more cozy environments of clubs and theaters both Robert and Richard agreed that while the atmosphere, energy and exposure to new fans festivals bring is enjoyable, they prefer the closer more intimate settings of the clubs and theaters.  The band played at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver on Valentines day this year and said of the Mile High  audience that, "The Boulder/Denver area is among their top two destinations to play."

Galactic's new album is scheduled to be released sometime in January, perhaps the 16th and is a more focused New Orleans inspired fusion of their current album, From the Corner to the Block.    Richard told me that when creating music, "We draw from our roots but also try to create something fresh."  And Robert said that they try to take more chances on their albums than they take live.  As an example he said that the new album may contain some more intricate and layered drum riffs.    Some of the artists that will be featured vocally and lyrically include legends such as Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint as well as lesser known yet popular New Orleans MC's and hip hop artists. 

Featuring vocalists and artists is part of the fresh approach Galactic is taking in the jazz scene.  They welcome collaborative efforts, giving MC's and artists a general theme to work with and then allows them to be creative lyrically with the track the band wrote.  When asked if we could expect the same thing on the new album they said that it was a more evenly spread.  Some of the songs have been written by a friend of the theirs, one track members of Galactic wrote themselves in years past and they have again incoporated local hip hop artists that created their own funk lyrical style.

As far as the bands live set at the Mile High Music Festival, it was lively, hip and the energy emitted from the stage rippled through the crowd.  The love they show for playing music is tangible and that passion is easily transferrable to their fans and the crowd.  They are simply as intuitive onstage as they are in the studio!