There’s a saddened satisfaction when you finally
complete something. Maybe it’s the
realization that you no longer have a focus for your energy. Or perhaps it’s the recognition that you have
to find a new center. Conclusion comes
with the exciting but daunting task of starting over. As I drove to Rochester for the last night of
the Jimkata spring tour I worried that I had already said everything that I
could about this band. But as the night started and the music began, I quickly
realized I was wrong.
I always focus so much on the celebratory qualities
of the Jimkata experience that I sometimes forget that there is a duality in
their music that deserves equal recognition. Maybe it was the influence of my
own personal life. Perhaps it was the
band’s release after fourteen weeks on the road. But as I drifted from song to song, I noticed
a sweet darkness that wove its way through the customary brightness of a
Jimkata show. It was like being
weightless in a dimly lit room.
I worry that my last statement can be perceived as
some poetically worded back-handed compliment. It isn’t. I find beauty in the contrast. As I listened to the band sink into moments
of shadowy musical brilliance, I could appreciate from where those moments were
coming: exhaustion, longing, and boredom.
True – touring musicians choose a career and lifestyle that takes them
away from their homes and loved ones for extended periods of time. But choice doesn’t lessen the effects of
wanting to sleep in your own bed or hug your mom. What I love about these four
guys is that they don’t hide how they feel when they play live. And that’s why
every show is different. There is no cookie cutter formula to their songs or
their live performances.
Before I left for the show, my fiancé asked me an
interesting question. “Do you think when
Jimkata started, they thought they would be this embraced in the festival
scene?” It’s a thought-provoking question for a band that has far more pop
quality than almost any band amongst the popular jamtronica players. But as I
watched Saturday night’s show unfold, it all made sense as to why their growing
popularity is happening. Certain jam
bands have a way of vibing off the crowd.
They feel where the crowd is going and roll with it. They give the crowd the show they want. It’s almost like a call and response. It’s like a musical game of Marco Polo. The band finds it’s lane by listening to what
the fans in attendance are feeding them and then respond by reflecting the
crowd’s energy in their performance.
So onstage walk four guys- exhausted, ready for a
break and only a few hours from home.
And they start by giving us a solid, emotionally charged, perfectly
executed musical darkness. The first set
was kicked off with “Lighter” from the new Feel
in Light EP. And as they moved from song to song, you could feel the crowd
soak in that deepness and just transform it a positive force. And that’s how magic happens. When a band plays in a room that is filled
with love, respect and celebration, guess what happens? They start to play with
love, respect and celebration.
On this night the tables were turned. Instead of Jimkata providing the love and
light in the soundtrack to their usual dance party, this time the crowd
delivered it. And by the last song of
their second set, a jovial version of “Chain Store”, the room was leading the
way. Strangers hugged strangers as the shouted out every lyric word for
word. And that is why Jimkata has a home
in the festival scene; because they don’t stick to watered down formulations.
They understand that creating music for people is a relationship. Not just between band members, but also
between the band and the fans. And
although they may have created the songs far from the accepting ears of their fans,
they also understand that performing live is more than regurgitating studio
versions of their catalog. Performing for
Jimkata takes on a new level that is about reciprocation. Jimkata gives the fans their genius and love
when they need it the most. And on the
same token, the fans give it right back when the band needs it the most. It’s a beautifully played game of musical tug
of war that leaves everyone happy.
It’s so refreshing to experience live music that is as much about the fans in attendance as it is the musicians making the music. That’s why Jimkata belongs in the festival scene and community. I have no doubt that one day I will be surrounded by thousands of people singing along to every lyrically addictive word of “Beat the Curse” or “Night Shade”. Their sound is perfect for that transitioning late night spot at festivals, just after the headliner and right before the main event DJ.
I hope that as the nation of Jimkata fans grows, the
band will continue to stick it out through the long tours and time away from
their lives because if they do, success in this scene is inevitable. You can’t
get bowled over by the friendship, delight and community that is Jimkata’s
music and not instantly fall in love. Nor could this type of success happen to
four nicer and down to earth guys. If
you haven’t seen Jimkata yet, I implore you to go to just one show or one set
at a festival. Trust me, I can speak from experience that it only takes one
time for the love affair to begin. I’m
set to see Jimkata in less than two weeks at Summer Camp. It will be nice to see them rested and experience
their sound at larger festival. It will
be a different experience for me as a fan.
I’m not sure that I will blog about that show, though. Sometimes in relationships, you need your
stolen moments. And I may just take this
next one as mine.
The
Set List
Montage Music Hall – Rochester NY May 10, 2014
Set1
Lighter
Die Digital
Ping Pong
Nite Shade
Concrete breakdown
One to Ten
Baby, Put it on Me
Lego Land
Set 2
Beat the curse
American cars
Bananas and Blow (ween cover)
Feel in Light
Electronic Stone
Low Low
Swimming
Old New Tune
Devils in the Details
Chain Store
Roll with the punches
