lara

Info from Madison House on the upcoming release... Those eager to partake of Umphrey’s McGee’s fruitful outpouring during the recording sessions that resulted in 2006’s Safety In Numbers can rejoice. On April 3, 2007 the sextet plans to release The Bottom Half, a double-disc of unreleased songs, bonus material and odds and sods that will essentially tell the whole story of those extraordinary sessions. Upon its release in the spring of 2006, Safety In Numbers, their third studio album, helped Umphrey’s McGee attract new waves of attention. The highly anticipated release charted on Billboard’s Top 200, peaked high on the Heatseekers Chart, and received a “4 Star†review in Blender. Umphrey’s sold out shows coast to coast in support of the album, appeared at both Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and made their late night television debut on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. Contrary to its name, The Bottom Half is a top-rate sequel to Safety In Numbers. The double album is full of spontaneity and intrigue, fresh ideas, and the kind of dazzling musicianship we have come to expect from Umphrey’s. The first disc packs ten recordings that didn’t make it onto the initial work, while the second serves up over two-dozen outtakes, alternative versions, dialogue, a cappella recordings, and other offerings designed to sneak glimpses into the band’s creative process. As with Safety In Numbers, famed album artist Storm Thorgerson designed the cover of The Bottom Half. “Originally,†says keyboardist Joel Cummins, “Safety was planned as a double album, a set of one electric disc and one acoustic disc.†The variety of material spanned genres and styles, tone and content. But that good-humored m.o. changed abruptly when the band lost dear friend and band ally Brian Schultz to a drunk driver on New Year’s Eve 2004. Umphrey’s songwriting focus shifted to more emotional terrain. The mood of the sessions had changed and so did the band’s recording goals. “Because we were going through this emotional period for Safety In Numbers, the songs became heavier and more deeply felt,†says guitarist Brendan Bayliss, “and we left the fun, upbeat, more progressive stuff behind.†Until now. The Bottom Half ropes the sessions’ surplus and ties it neatly into two capsules. Cummins explains: “The first disc is finished tracks we worked really hard on, songs that could have made it onto Safety. The second disc is excerpts, and more about unfinished material and insight into how the band makes its music.†Umphrey’s used different songwriting sources as well, including frequent band guest Karl Engelmann (“Bright Lights, Big Cityâ€) and arranger Jeff Coffin (“The Bottom Half,†“Higginsâ€). The band toured with Bela Fleck on the Acoustic Planet tour and ended up collaborating with the banjo virtuoso on Disc One’s “Great American.†“We opened it up to other contributors for the first time,†Cummins says, “and it really added new dimensions to our sound,†Of course, Safety In Numbers already boasted pretty impressive dimensions of its own. “We’re all proud of how that disc turned out,†says Cummins. “We wanted to focus more on the songs and we felt it was a real achievement from an artistic standpoint.†“We had kind of a crazy year and it all came out on that record,†adds Jake Cinninger, guitarist and vocalist. “Though it’s not all obviously dark, there’s kind of a theme that runs through it.†That theme along with a cool, hip vibe, permeate the material on The Bottom Half. In fact, UM has — since forming in the late ’90s in the South Bend, Indiana area — cultivated an impressive presence both live and in the studio, quite an accomplished when considering their humble roots. Cummins, Bayliss, bassist Ryan Stasik and original drummer Mike Mirro all studied at the University of Notre Dame near South Bend, Indiana, while percussionist Andy Farag at the South Bend branch of Indiana University. Cinninger, from Michigan, had a South Bend-based band called Ali Baba’s Tahini — as well as an open invitation to join Umphrey’s, which he accepted in the Fall of 2000. His addition, along with Kris Myers’ arrival in 2003, proved critical to the band’s success. Together, the gifted collective elevated its game. Just a few months after their first gig in 1998, the band released their first album, the cleverly titled live document, Greatest Hits Volume III. Songs for Older Women and One Fat Sucka followed — as did their first ever DVD, Live from the Lake Coast. Building a reputation with the critically favored studio recording Local Band Does OK (not to be confused with Local Band Does Oklahoma — a live EP released soon after) and honing their groove as a stellar live act, by the time 2004’s Anchor Drops was released to raves, the buzz on Umphrey’s had grown loud. Rolling Stone tipped them in their Hot Issue and the Washington Post named the band “rock’s undisputed lord of sonic shape-shifting.†And if you need further convincing, one look at their second DVD—2005’s Wrapped Around Chicago: New Year’s at the Riv says it all: Umphrey’s had arrived. The jam crowd hoisted the band up on their proverbial shoulders as heroes, heirs to the Phish throne. Fans reveled in Umphrey’s flair for inventive improvisation, incredible covers, and unpredictable moments. The band had also developed an uncanny visual language onstage that includes dozens of unspoken cues — a happy face, for example, symbolizes a major key, while a sad face indicates a minor one — that make their signature “jazz odysseys†and “Jimmy Stewarts†legendary on the jam scene. These cues manage to keep things tight and prevent their improv interludes from spiraling into hippie jam orbit. The band retains space, breath, and patience in performances, yet maintain masterly control in the process. These days, Umphrey’s spends half the year on the road habitually flooring audiences. Their anything-goes musicianship, humor, and good-nature all make remarkable entertainment. The band shuttles between styles with precision, from straight-up pop and rock to jazz, prog-metal, and classical. If you can name it, chances are Umphrey’s can play it. To that end, The Bottom Half might just be the best-recorded representation of the band’s peripatetic ethos, serving as it does as a kitchen-sink collection. “Overall, even though it’s all over the place, I think we’ve been able to come up with a cohesive vision of what we’re trying to do,†says Cummins, about the band and the new collection, “which isn’t easy for bands that don’t play only one style of music. But we often use the studio to find our voice and you can see through that process on The Bottom Half.â€

Haha... I thought those questions were aimed at Ryan! I was like, what is he talking about? Stasik isn't married! Well actually, its totally random. I didn't ask for a particular person this time so I got Stasik. Same thing for moe. But the majority of my interviews over the past year have been female guitarists. So what does that say about me? But truth be told. I do have a thing for the bass.

So I have an interview with Ryan tomorrow for a Jambands.ca story on Umphreys... just in time for their 2007 Toronto show We'll be talking about The Bottom Half (B-sides album due April 3rd) and their upcoming album they're currently recording, random misc. stuff. Any questions you skanks want answered??

I think Lukes organised with a ride/place to stay. Could you just confirm Luke? Yay for friends.

So you need a place as of 5:30 tonight. Ok. Let us know if you get something organised, b/c I'm sure a few people are looking into it.

Hey Luke Hang tight there till you've got a place to go. I'm sure we'll be able to arrange something relatively quickly. Do you just want a place for the afternoon/night? Maybe be a bit more specific about your plans so folks can see if they can work it. Thing is a lot of people are at work right now and cant help out till later tonight. Anyone available to help Luke out? L

Dave was at NAMM in Cali and came back with a ton of music magazines. Thats how I discovered Harp. Harp is incredible, its a mag that just keeps on giv'n. The articles are insanely indepth, they dont subscribe to the "these genres are cool, these aren't." They cover rock, indie, jambands, hiphop equally. A few of the writers also write for Relix. Mostly its the way the articles are so engaging and deep, and uncensored that I love. Its the way I imagine Rolling Stone was in its early days. My new favourite mag. I'd love to know of any other great reads...

gosh he's cute. these guys are playing at snoe.down. Anyone going?

Say hi to Dr. Bender for me.

We're still with you Luke.

hehe, Dr. Bender... did you laugh out loud when you heard his name? Thats hilarious, talk about a sign...now you know you're in the right place!

We applied for $100/month. Twice. Still haven't received it. If I get one of those asking for a portion of the money we haven't even received, I'll lose my mind. This stinks.

Awesome Cully!

Wish you all the best!

love love love...

Hey Luke Where are you buddy? Call me xo

popo, you want to borrow my dog? She's a half decent bodyguard. She charges $10 an hour.

Haha.. yeah, I totally noticed that. While I've seen it with my favourite bands as well, it did seem particularly hardcore with Oasis. Oasis is one of the supergroups from my high-school years. And they're at the tailend of their career. Maybe one day a child of mine will hear Oasis and ask me if I saw them. And I'll have to say no. And then the little smarty-pants will say, "but I thought you were really into music..." "Um... yeah, I was..." I'd like to see them just once.

Did you guys see that? I just realised that I'm very sorry I've never seen Oasis live. They put on a great show.

I dont normally do this but feeling compelled to today... Anyone heard her? I know she played PJ's last year. I have an interview with her this afternoon. If there's any big fans with suggestions on questions, I'd love to hear them.

Ah... my brief moment of fame. In top friends, and out again, so fast. Replaced by Jenna. Note to self - lose baby and camera. Need stairs, much less clothing. Oh wait, that's Bouche's top friends! Bouche, why am I not in your top friends? You were promoted to mine a long time ago. Is it a baby/camera/ stairs/clothing thing?

Luke, my myspace comment was just an affectionate joke. Guess it hit too close to home. Go easy folks. Its so easy to be judgemental.

funny little popo

who is aolha?

This was a really nice festival in 2006. Last years review... http://www.jambands.ca/sanctuary/showtopic.php?tid/232186/