JamBase Questionnaire: Spiritual Rez

By Team JamBase Sep 10, 2010 12:40 pm PDT

Welcome back to JamBase’s baker’s dozen to the bright lights of the music world. Last time we heard from Cochemea Gastelum.

new album
“There’s no need for introduction/ To make your body move is our function.” This inviting ‘handshake’ open “Rollin’ Dutches,” just one of numerous infectious modern reggae numbers on Nexus, the latest release from Boston-based Spiritual Rez.

The Rez sing sweet songs of lioness ladies and groovy ganja but skirt the jokiness that so often infects lighter-spirited reggae. This band possesses an abundantly inviting energy that taps into the brighter side of Bob & Ziggy Marley but also more soul & horn-infused progenitors like Johnny Nash with significant rock crunch in spots. As evidenced by Nexus, they excel at easy to like, positivity infused music, and they’ve been sharpening their skills on the touring circuit for half a decade, laying down roots everywhere they can so they might grow as strong and free as the Spaceship Tree that adorns the cover of their latest release. (Dennis Cook)

The band is on tour now and plays tonight, September 10, at Funk N Waffles in Syracuse, NY, then tomorrow at the Backwoods Pond Fest tomorrow. Next week they are at the Stone Church in Newmarket, NH on Thursday, September 16, and The Paradise in Boston with Bernie Worrell on Friday, September 17. Find full tour dates here.

Spiritual Rez is currently in competition for Jam Cruise 9’s “Vote To The Boat” contest. You can vote for them here until September 20.

Here’s what Spiritual Rez drummer Ian Miller had to say to our inquiries.

Spiritual Rez
Instrument of choice: Orange Country drums & percussion
Nickname: “Meat”

1. Great music rarely happens without…
Fulfilling live energy. Too often I see groups on stage not getting the crowd off simply because they aren’t getting themselves off..

2. The first album I bought was…
Bloodhound Gang’s One Fierce Beer Coaster, shortly followed by Foo Fighters’ The Colour and Shape.

3. The last song or album to really flip my wig was…
Easy Star All-Stars’ cover album Radiodread – ha ha ha, I’ve been jamming that pretty constantly.

4. When I was a kid I wanted to grow up to be…
My first answer was fireman but that moved quickly to astronaut.

5. My favorite sort of gig is…
One that involves all-ages. The whole band loves playing for children – goes back to question 1. Fulfilling. Energy. AWESOME!

6. One thing I wish people knew about me is…
Come say hi and find out in person!

7. I love the sound of…
The huge flapping tarp outside our apartment’s window.

8. One day I hope to make an album as fantastic as…
Pink Floyd. In my opinion it took them a few tries to get there, but damn could they meld.

9. The best meal I ever had on tour was at…
Rhumb Lines in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. They really know how to treat the band there. We’ve played there three springs running and I believe this year it was the surf & turf for me – nothing but the most premium!

10. I always find the coolest audiences in…
Festivals, usually. Everyone is there for the music! Well, most everyone.

11. The worst habit I’ve picked up being on the road all the time is…
Diet. Diet. Diet. Diet.

12. The Beatles or the Stones? Por qué?
The Beatles. They just wrote better albums. Works as answer for question 8 as well.

13. The craziest thing I ever saw was…
The storm cell in Kansas, which almost drove our van and trailer off the freeway with a small tornado. That sky had life and it was attempting to feast upon us! Experience + Beauty = 100 points.



Spiritual Rez Tour Dates :: Spiritual Rez News :: Spiritual Rez Concert Reviews

JamBase | Sippy
Go See Live Music!

JamBase Collections