Lotus return to Colorado for their annual Red Rocks Amphitheatre show on September 19th, and the band will perform the Talking Heads Deconstructed set that premiered this summer at the Gathering of the Vibes Festival. The special night explores the intersections between rock and dance, new and old, the unique music of Lotus and the classics from the Talking Heads. Gabriel Otto of Denver's Pan Astral will sing lead vocals as reinterpreted versions of Talking Heads songs mix with Lotus' original music.
Talking Heads have been a musical inspiration for Lotus from the earliest days of the band's formation. Both bands evolved in similar fashion, starting as a basic two-guitar rock band and subsequently expanding to include synthesizers, percussion and a host of musical influences. At the heart of Talking Heads' music are great grooves - many of which point toward the basic beats found in dance styles that are popular today.
Otto and special guests including Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident joined Lotus at the debut performance. The set (and recording) created so much buzz the band decided to bring the idea to Red Rocks. As UpstateLIVE explained, “Lotus delighted the evening crowd with a stunning technical proficiency and truly unique take on another immensely influential American band. Driving guitar riffs and spacey synth effects served as a foundation for the music that expertly mixed the percussive heavy jam style of Talking Heads with the electronica aspects of Lotus – a match made in music festival heaven.”
Lotus released the new album, Gilded Age, digitally and on vinyl on July 22nd. It includes six new, rock focused tracks and four down-tempo electronic remixes. The album was recorded with Jonathon Low (The National, Local Natives, The War on Drugs) in Philadelphia and includes guest vocalist Steve Yutzy-Burkey on three tracks. Once again, Lotus recorded live to analog tape with an emphasis on musical playing over studio tricks.
Remixes from four superb down-tempo electronic producers; KiloWatts, D.V.S*, Marley Carroll, and Skytree; take the mood into deeper realms, into a place where the brain starts reflecting on reflections and mixing together dreams and realities.
Lotus is composed of Mike Greenfield (Drums), Jesse Miller (Bass, Sampler), Luke Miller (Guitar, Keys), Mike Rempel (Guitar) and Chuck Morris (Percussion).
Lotus on Tour
August
16 - Scranton, PA - The Peach Music Festival
29 - Turin, NY - Moe. Down
30 & 31 - Garrettsville, OH - Summerdance
September
19 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre (w/ Papadosio & Orchard Lounge)
December
3-7 - Punta Cana, DR - Dominican Holidaze * Sold Out
