"keep this kid sedated with color and sound, with color and sound.
we've gotta keep this kid sedated with color and sound, with color and sound.
contradictions in words prey on a soul white, honey.
and an addiction to verbs is a soul wide junkie."
- "sedated"
So last night, something happened that I don't experience every time I step out at a concert in Nashville... I actually listened to the music I went out to see.
I really honestly and genuinely devoted my time, set aside my multi-tasking mind, and just opened my mind to the music. And I was blessed to discover that the words and sounds coming back at me were beautifully and purposefully crafted. His name was Mikky Ekko and I had to know more.
Originally from Mississippi [Yes, I went home and researched this guy AND bought his CD off of iTunes right after the show], Steve Suddath moved to Nashville to pursue a degree at MTSU. After four years being the main man on campus (In 2005 he was named Mr. MTSU, a title I'm sure he's slightly embarrassed of now.), he graduated, traded in his frat boy polo, embraced a new outlook on his creative endeavors, and moved to East Nashville to devote his time and energy to music. What is surprising about Steve is that he wasn't satisfied to arrange a few songs (he doesn't play an instrument on stage, but most definitely writes all of the music and lyrics himself), perfect his vocals, and establish a safe, commercially viable image for himself (which arguably would have been easy with his fantastic range and Greek God-like looks.). Instead, his music came from a creative center, radiating out of every pore in his body. The music became a complete lifestyle for him, transforming him from the inside out. He opted for a stage persona, complete with fantastic tribal face paint, greasy V-neck T-shirts, and an eerie intensity. He created a character with Mikky Ekko. But don't get me wrong, Ekko is not about a gimmick or a Lady Gaga-like appearance. It's a ways to completely lose yourself in the music he is presenting. Mikky Ekko gives the audience a complete experience. The music is experimentally interesting, but keeps a commercial sensibility. The performance is visually stimulating with Mikky himself surrounded by a cast of talented and eclectic band members, each also donning the tribal face paint. Really, it's a group of people who aren't controlled by the popular image of indie-rock, but rather embrace a new sound... ready to sedate the crowd with color and sound.
Feel free to pick up a free copy of Mikky Ekko’s debut EP called Strange Fruit here. http://www.noisetrade.com/mikkyekko In the meantime, here’s the song that started it all for me…
Greetings Amanda. josh@teradyme.com here. I enjoyed reading your article almost as much as enjoy listening to Mikky's music itself. I get chills when I hear someone confirm what I know to be true, that Mikky is the best performer I have personally ever seen, and in all likelihood, ever will.
ReplyDeleteI am attempting to send Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr Bungle, Tomahawk, & so on) an email to inform him of Mikky, (as well as ask him why he is acquainted with none of the members of Tortoise yet. I asked them all backstage at their last Exit/In show. To my utter astonishment, none of them have ever met him.)
You seem to have a natural talent for writing. Your paragraphs flow smoothly and your organization of information is coherent and well thought out.
I recently moved from Nash to Los Angeles, where I hope to carry on the Teradyme mission, which is to discover new, natural, and undeniably good talent among the heaps of radio-garbage, and report on it, exposing it to as many people as I possibly can. In this mission, I need assistance.
Teradyme should not be the views of only 1 or 2 people. It is currently just myself, and my software developer who work on it. All the content and media are created by me, except where otherwise noted.
That said, I need assistance. I can no longer be in Nashville to cover the great bands I found there like Mikky, Heypenny, Pico vs Island Trees, Butterfly Boucher, (though Pico and Butterfly do tour here sometimes), and I don't just need a 'body'. I need someone with passion and ability to write well, such as yourself. Recording the must-see shows is a plus too.
I cannot, at this time, pay for assistance. Teradyme is still coming out of my pocket. I'm no master of seo and advertising. I need someone for that too, so we can generate some revenue.
What I ask is, : Are you willing to attend various shows, searching out the music as you do already, and be a co-contributor to Teradyme, for the sake of true, awesome, rare Nashville music? I am working on the beginning of LA's chapter of Teradyme.
Send me your thoughts to the above email address. Looking forward to creating your account- amanda@teradyme.com, as well. ;)