Features

Summer Stars: Papadosio

Here is another of our “Summer Stars,” emerging acts featured in the 2011 Relix Festival Guide who will be making the rounds this summer…

Formed out of a series of 2006 open mics at Ohio University, Papadosio recently finalized its lineup with the addition of keyboardist Sam Brouse. The quintet has since moved to Asheville, N.C. where it signed with Autonomous Records.

Blending jazz influences from bassist Rob McConnell and the classically trained Brouse (who joins brother Billy on keys), Papadosio is striving to keep things more organic these days than in its electronically driven past.

“A lot of what we’re doing, at least since Sam has joined the band, is straight live,” says Billy of the group’s focus on traditionally using instruments. “I don’t know if everybody realizes that. It’s very important that we keep a couple things organic about our music.”

Onstage, the group utilizes three laptops generally used for soft, atmospheric synthesizer effects. “People instantly think it’s like STS9,” says Billy of the group’s sound and stage presence, “which isn’t that far off base.”

Whether its pulling from more jam friendly influences or the likes of Yeasayer, Aphex Twin and Squarepusher, this summer, Papadosio will continue to find its own unique space between the electronic and organic at a slew of festivals including its own festival, Rootwire.

Appearing at: Camp Bisco, All Good, Rootwire, The Big Up, Bear Creek and more.