Made up of five talented musicians, Papadosio seamlessly blends progressive rock, electronic, folk, and jam into a unique sound that has gained the following of thousands of music-lovers from all walks of life. Starting out as just a few jam sessions between Ohio University and Hocking College students, the band has evolved into something bigger than they ever imagined. With over 100 live performances per year, the band spends most of their time traversing the nation rather than staying in their hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.
Anthony Thogmartin, the group’s singer/songwriter, guitarist, and one of the wildly creative production brains, has said that inspiring others is at the forefront of their message to fans. “More than anything else, we want to inspire people,” Thogmartin told Back Drop Mag. “We’ve discovered ourselves that the pursuit of art is not localized to any specific person. Every single person is an artist in some way. Art, and the action of doing it, actually changes the person. The degree and environment of inspiration within people will help create an environment of peace, of everything positive. The more time you spend creating, the less time you spend doing less desirable, mundane things, things that jade you.” Their live shows are often full of painters, aerial artists, and dancers.
Drummer Mike Healy and bassist Robert McConnell are the perfect counterpart to Thogmartin’s signature guitar style. You can feel an earthy vibe and their passion for human evolution, creative thinking, and spreading the seeds of unity in their music. A very special message is somehow communicated though their instruments, vocals, and stage presence. Brothers Billy and Sam Bruse complete the quintet with their funky synths, heart-stopping keys and flawless vocals to compliment those of Thogmartin’s. I caught them live in Baltimore, Maryland on New Year’s Eve. The best way to describe a live Papadosio experience is soul-stirring.
In the fall of 2012, the band released their second album titled ‘T.E.T.I.O.S.‘ To End the Illusion of Separation is a 20 track double album, that represents not only the evolution of the band, but greater worldwide themes. They say it is “a call for people of all stripes to reject artificial barriers of wealth, class, and creed and come together under the flag of humanity.” Psychedelic riffs, uplifting melodies, and moving lyrics put this album on the map of forward-thinking bands with an eye always on the future.
In addition to their already jam-packed tour schedule, Papadosio makes impressions at numerous festivals across the country including Summer Camp, Wakarusa, Electric Forest, Camp Bisco, Bear Creek, and of course, CounterPoint.
With CounterPoint being held at the beautiful Kingston Downs, home to the Atlanta Steeplechase for the past 20 years, this luscious piece of property could not be a better fit for all that Papadosio represents. The property is comprised of 5,000 acres of rolling North Georgia hills and is surrounded by the Etowah River on 3 sides, all with beautiful views of the Appalachian Mountains in the distance.
Papadosio even built their own studio from the ground up. They transformed a cabin once used for rehearsal into a fully functional recording studio in Asheville, North Carolina. Thogmartin says this helps keep their music unique. “It also allows us to keep our music our own, free from all of the outside influence,” he said. “We do our own thing and take as much time as we need.”
Papadosio is one of the acts on the bill at CounterPoint this year that you should absolutely see. Even if you don’t consider yourself a big jam-band fan, we guarantee that this quintet will have you dancing, soul-searching, and feeling free. Anyone who has a taste for fine musical composure, creative thinking, and mind expansion will delight in this act. Below is my personal favorite Papadosio track.
You can find more Papadosio music, tour dates, news, and merchandise here. Everything you need to know about CounterPoint, including where to buy tickets can be found here.
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