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EN2 |
While the band name may look strange, the music makes perfect sense. EN2 (pronounced N-two) threw a party like no other on Saturday night. It was a chilly night in Indianapolis until I climbed the stairs of The Red Room. When I entered the door there was nowhere to go, the room was packed! I couldn't have gotten a drink if I wanted one, but that was OK--I wasn't there to wet the whistle. I was there to check out a new local trio (guitar, keys, and drums) that has just started playing in the area. Their music sounds like a cross between house/trance and hip-hop/funk, with a strong sense of jazz improvisation holding it all together. While most bands today try only to emulate what is popular, this instrumental house/fusion outfit creates a relentless sonic platform for dance. These guys are highly schooled and very, very professional.
The crowd at this upscale Broadripple venue has been labeled by some as pretentious. However, the presence of EN2 brought in many new patrons to this otherwise unknown spot, and the atmosphere was more diversified than ever. Time was moving slowly, and I was packed like a sardine, but just as I started to feel claustrophobic the music hit and everything felt right.
The first set started with a beat from Vince Jackson that got everyone moving immediately. Joel Crabtree on keys and Robert Coates on guitar both settled in and from there the music seemed to grow and change shape constantly. These musicians were tapping into the crowd's mental zone, and before I knew it the set was over, and they hadn't stopped the music for even an instant.
The second set began with liquid electronic sounds pouring out of Joel Crabtree's Korg. The crowd seemed to melt into the tune. Once again the second set was played with an upbeat rhythm that only a dance club could compare to. And once again, the band was flawless. The club closed at 1 a.m., yet it was already 1:15 a.m., but not one person had set foot outside the door. Feeling the heat from the owners, the band had to wrap up the show, so they asked the crowd, "Do you care if we play a new composition we just wrote to end the show?" As the crowd howled back the band broke into their last number and turned the club upside down.
From start to finish, this was one of the most high-energy shows I have ever seen. I recommend this band to anyone who just wants to see great musicians play great music!
Nathan Romero
JamBase | Indianapolis
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