Artist on the Rise: Chromatropic
Creating their own style of fusion that is as original as their name, Chromatropic, a Brooklyn based 4 piece is ready to take their step from the after party to the front stage. Like the borough that has united them Chromatropic is a true melting pot. From their members to the many different styles and genres they blend this up and coming psychedelic fusion band is truly unique.I had the opportunity to sit down with drummer and founding member Mark Potter a few days after an intimate show with The EGG and members of Wobblesauce on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.When asked what made Chromatropic so unique in sound the drummer explained the roots of its members, both musically and geographically.
“I’m English and I came up in England listening to the electronic scene as a drummer. Our guitarist, (Andrew Carton) he studied jazz in school so he has a very jazzy background. Our keyboardist (Danny Caridi) has more of a classical thing. He’s into mostly piano based stuff. Our bass player, (Moses Margel) he’s really into a lot of heavier stuff, darker stuff. He used to play in a metal band.”
On how such a diverse group of musicians came together to blend so well Potter continued:
“…so yeah, fusion is what brought us together for sure. We met through the scene in Williamsburg, in Bushwick, some Craigslist stuff but really we practice at the music building on Meserole Street and there’s a homegrown scene of so many different genres in the building that we were able to connect with a few people. The band has seen a couple of different alterations… but we have had this lineup for the past 3 ½ years so I’d say we solidified the lineup. We met the usual way through the usual channels.”
With members from all around the world and a genre base as vast Chromatropic has mixed the perfect potion. Jams that blend genres in a dream like state give this 4-some the relaxing, care free vibe that every music lover seeks. Beautiful melodies take the listener away from reality before speeding into their number of different styles lead by the guitar of Andrew Carton. Potter continued to speak about their style of fusion:
“We consider ourselves a fusion band but we are trying to create our own type of fusion. For the longest time fusion has been described as the mixture of jazz with the power of rock, and the soul of funk music. But we are trying to inject and bring fusion back out to a popular audience again. (Chromatropic is)An organic kind of dance music.”
Going on to speak about the bands biggest influences:
“I would say that we’re huge fans of Snarky Puppy. Fans of Dopapod. Tauk’s another one. And then on the bigger scale anything from like LTJ Bukum, electronic drum and bass to old soul. Al Green, Dave Mathews. Phish obviously.”
Chromatropic is guaranteed to bring quality tunes but it doesn’t end there. No matter how big nor small – from a show in your buddies apartment, to a show in the world famous Brooklyn Bowl– Chromatropic is bringing the works. The smoke machine, the rig, the lights, the party is all coming with, every time.
“We’re trying to bring the big stage show to the local club. We’re going to bring the rig, the lights, the sound, everything. It’s not everyday that everyone can get out to see a show at Best Buy or wherever. We’re just trying to bring that to kids on a more regular level.”
Chromatropic is growing with each show and has no intention to stop. The jam style band is perfect for the festival scene as they prepare for what hopes to be a very busy summer.
“We are trying to do this for a living. We are trying to make this our full time job. We have all found something that we love more than anything and if we could do that 5 nights a week it would be great to take it out there. Not to get out there for making money but just making enough to travel around and get to play music and see the faces of the people we make happy when we play. We could be having the worst day, all the stuff – being stuck in the van, the money, the cost, driving for 6 hours and being put up in a weird shaped space where one of the monitors doesn’t work, blah, blah, blah, and you hit the right note on the right song and see that guy or girl and you see their face turn, their eyes light up and that tops everything. “
On what’s upcoming for Chromatropic this festival season:
“Yeah, we have a couple things in the works that aren’t confirmed but as far as things that we are confirmed on; we have Spectral Spirit Fest, we are playing Cosmic Alignment and have our fingers crossed for a few others but I wouldn’t want to get kicked off the lineup.” The drummer joked “All the ones everyone’s trying to get, we’re trying to get.”
On a dream festival/venue:
“In terms of festivals we would love to play The Chill, obviously, Catskill Chill. We would love to play All Good or Summercamp. In terms of dream venues, its a tricky one but we would love to play Best Buy Theatre. I love that venue. We played Brooklyn Bowl last month (February). That was the most professional venue we have played at and we did pretty well there, a solid Tuesday night. It really is a nice venue.”
On being a live band more than a studio/album type band:
“We have put out EP’s. We usually do a lot of live studio stuff. Release singles. We did the Golden Ratio single and that came with a B side… We’re still so shocked with our own evolution. When we listen back to ourselves 6 months ago were like ‘Shit, we have got to rerecord that.’ We feel that we’re better every time we play. We have never been urged to get in there and record 10 songs because we have always kind of known were going to look back and say ‘I should have done it like this, or I should have done it like that.”
Potter continued “We have been getting into releasing live shows and we actually have a DVD, digital video release. We play up in Manchester, New Hampshire a lot and we have gained a nice following there so we are going to do a ‘Live in Manchester’ muti-camera show with 3 or 4 camera and that’ll be our next big release, in May.”
Going on to speak about pre-show rituals Potter explained their routine:
“What can you print?” the drummer joked– “Ya know, we always try to come to the studio before a gig and play for half an hour together before we go anywhere. Before we pack up, before we go to any gig. If we were going to Boston, we’ll come here for a half hour and play before we pack up just so we have played once that day to get that first 20 minutes out of the way. But in terms of pre-show rituals just to eat right, have your own personal space. (We) Come together right before the set and you know, send each other a positive vibe. Usually one of us gives the nod like ‘Yeah, we got this shit.’ Usually someone is nervous and someones not, so whoever is not nervous encourages the others and takes the lead. Whoever has the best feeling about the show kind of leads the way.”
When asked for any last words to fans new or old Potter kept it simple stating, “Look forward to seeing you out there. Come see Chromatropic and bring a friend.”
LISTEN BELOW
http://www.chromatropicmusic.com/