Toledoans unfamiliar with Michigan’s music scene have not heard much recently from Ann Arbor’s versed veterans of the jam band scene, The Macpodz, but the band is aiming to fix that. The group has adopted a new strategy on their upcoming tour, which stops in Toledo (their first out of state show of 2013). From writing new material to adding new musicians to the line-up, the group has not spent much time on idle.
“We have been playing dance shells around the state [MI],” said trumpet player Ross Huff, shedding light on the band’s comings and goings. “We are playing outdoors, and earlier in the day. We are trying to reach an older audience, people that may not be able to make it to the later shows for one reason or another.” This attempt at broadening the fan base is just one of the new approaches the band is taking when it comes to touring.
“There are so many ways to do it,” said Huff, referring to the countless strategies a musician can use to bring his or her music to new people. For example, Huff related that he knows a friend, “a great songwriter,” who plays in retirement centers—playing the bar scene like most musicians, but supplementing that with money made from places many musicians neglect.
“We have tried a lot of stuff,” Huff said, from 45 night runs across the country, to a smaller local circuit. The main transition in their approach to touring lies in “letting things happen naturally, with the hopes that it takes some of the pressure [of touring] off.” Rest assured, the Macpodz have no plans to estrange their faithful following, an audience they have been playing music for since 2006. Club shows like the group’s upcoming visit to the Main Street Bar and Grill (formerly the Main Event) ensure the most devoted fans will get their dose of the Macpodz’ brand of “disco-bebop.”
The Macpodz have recently parted ways with several members due to family obligations and further educational opportunities. In the wake of the loss of Griffin Bastian on drums and Jesse Clayton on keys, the boys have brought in Steve Harris (Four Finger Five) on drums, blues organ player Shawn McDonald from Detroit, and Chicago blues guitarist James Cornellison.
Huff described the band’s new dynamic as having a “fresh energy” and assures that the funk-rock/fusion aspect of the Macpodz’s basic formula is still there. Ross described the new line-up as having more rock and roll elements than were present before, with “less free-form jam, and more structured parts for solos.” The trumpet player expressed his particular excitement about the saxophone that occasionally sits in with him, bringing the band one step closer to a full horn section. All of that together with guest vocalists and other guest musicians makes for an extremely special time in the Macpodz musical journey.
Friday, August 16. 9pm. $10 for 21+, $12 under 21. Main Street Bar and Grill: 141 Main St. 419-697-6297. www.toledomainstreet.com; themacpodz.com
