Beats Antique have made their mark in the electronic music universe. Some know them for their exploratory electro-rock sound, others for their hypnotizing and theatrical live performances, but all fans know that the trio have developed one of the wildest and most ambitious musical projects of our generation.
The foundation of Beats Antique dates back to Zoe Jakes’s early belly dancing interest. She acted on her inspiration and soon joined forces with multi-talented musician David Satori and percussionist “Sidecar” Tommy Cappel to form Beats Antique in 2007. Since then, music has been a non-stop venture for the trio. In a few short years, Beats Antique produced signature albums like “Elektrafone” and “Collide,” played hundreds of live shows, and made their act a staple in EDM culture, belly dancing culture, and beyond.
Beats Antique will be one of the most unique and visually stimulating shows to catch at Buku Project. With just a short time left until festival day, remember these reasons will you’ll want to be front and center for Beats Antique.
Zoe’s Style
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- The focal point of a Beats Antique performance (next to the music) is Zoe’s overall exuberance. Every show begins with Zoe covered from head to toe with layers of well-cultured accessories. Once the routine begins, her human identity fades as her fashion and fluid dance motions take over. She becomes a vivid work of art, interacting with stage props, head dresses, and the occasional guest belly dancer throughout a single show. The music of Beats Antique is deep and original on its own, but Zoe’s presence is what blows the audience away time after time.
Live Instruments
It’s common knowledge that live instruments enhance an electronic music concert, (just ask Pretty Lights.) Beats Antique rightfully focuses on this ideal. Violins, Drums, Saxophones, and Cuitar are just a few of the instruments that have made their way to the stage. One of my favorite parts about Beats Antique is foreign and surprising instruments you’re going to see.
The Visuals
The abstract visuals in the show suit the musical themes perfectly. Their 2011 Hangout Festival performance featured a psychedelic, steam-punk themed background video that was positively trippy, giving a deeper narrative to the live show journey. The trio is constantly integrating new ideas to improve the dynamism of their concerts; count on their Buku Project 2014 show to be even wilder.
Unique Music
The music can simply be described as contemporary electronic and live instruments blended with Eastern themes. The combination exposes you to surprising amounts depth and maturity, but it’s still casual and fun. Their eclectic vibes and culture is something that’s always developing, but is still unique to Beats Antique.
Stage Presence
- The group is always including great guests, stage props, and visuals aesthetics to enhance the experience. As we approach the end, walk away knowing that this is a one-of-a-kind journey. Beats Antique will be playing Buku Project on Day 2, (Saturday, 3/22) in New Orleans, LA. Any combination of what you’ve seen, heard, and read about a Beats Anitque show is all telling you one thing, don’t let 2014 be the year you miss them.
WRR had the opportunity to touch base with Beats Antique about upcoming Buku Project performance, past global touring experiences, and much more.
Interview
Beats Antique seems heavily influenced by global culture. How did BA initially establish it’s sound and how has it developed over the past eight years?
David Satori: Beats Antique started as a recording project for Miles Copeland (manager for the police) and his world music label. The emphasis for the project initially was for world fusion belly dance. As well all members of the band have a long history with different folk music. David and Zoe have traveled to Bali to study with Balinese musicians and dancers, and Tommy was in Serbia performing in a marching band at the biggest Balkan music festival in the world. We have evolved over the years as producers from making albums on our laptops to with cheap mics and sample libraries to using super pro studios with 30 piece orchestras! It’s been a wild ride and we are flying by the seat of our pants.
What is your favorite country and/or favorite venue to play in?
Sidecar Tommy: Favorite venues? There’s been so many awesome places we have been, it’s hard to keep track! Although, a few of our favorites we’ve played that come to mind are Red Rocks, the Fillmore in San Francisco, and The Fox in our hometown in Oakland!
Where does BA’s performance ideas come from? When thinking of ideas, how do you decide the right time to bring ideas to the stage?
David Satori: Well, we literally sit in a room, talk about our ideas, and bounce things off of each other. AND it escalates fast! Hence, we end up with a 30 foot one eyed Cyclops kitty that shows up in our new show!
Zoe, how did you fashion style develop and where do you get your outfits?
Zoe Jakes: The west coast circus, Burning Man, and the underground tribal fusion belly dance scene that has some immensely talented costumers. I have been influenced by the bands I have been in over the years: the Yard Dogs Road Show, Extra Action Marching Band, and Rachel Brice’s amazing dance company The Indigo. I design or make or have a ton of input in the costumes in the show. I like to source my materials, make piles of rhinestones and fabric and build ideas and I like to let my imagination go wild. I work with a very talented team of costumers and together we make it happen!
You’ve played festivals in southern USA before, are you pumped about playing Buku and traveling to New Orleans?
Sidecar Tommy: Oh absolutely! We have a special place in our hearts for the Louisiana fans. We were recently in New Orleans performing for Voodoo Festival, and we had a very special show later on with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and in the French Quarter for a very small audience. That was probably our most memorable night of last year, especially when Robert Smith and his band (The Cure) watched the show and stayed to hang out afterwards!
Are there artist on the Buku lineup that you guys are excited to meet/see?
David Satori: Definitely the Flaming Lips!!! They’re a big inspiration for following your creative path.
Any on-stage surprises planned for the Buku performance that you can reveal?
Zoe Jakes: [laughes] Just plan on being surprised…as usual!
David Satori: Touring……no, Studio time! No, touring! We can’t really decide there. We enjoy and appreciate both of those aspects of what we do.
Any collaborations planned for 2014??
Zoe Jakes: Definitely. We have some projects in the works, but we want those to be a surprise.
What is the most momentous tour story you can remember?
Sidecar Tommy: We would still say Robert Smith and The Cure actually watching our show and hang out after. We’ve been big fans for a while.
After 7 years, what do you enjoy most about being apart of Beats Antique?
David Satori: Well, Beats Antique is an ever changing musical project that has strengthened three deep friendships that goes deeper for us and becomes more of who we are day by day. Ultimately, friendship must prevail for a band to succeed and keep growing, and every day we all take steps together to grow as people and artists.
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Photo Credit: Blogs.westword.com
Photo Credit: Wired.com
Photo Credit: Parkcitylve.net
This article was written by: Follow @ChadWRR
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