"combines trippy, and sometimes ambient, jams with enough New Orleans-style funk so that even someone not stoned can enjoy" (Al Kaufman, Atlanta music guide)
“Wow, I’ve never seen anybody do that before!†new fans tell the members of Peace of Mind Orchestra. The group has two members, but if you close your eyes and listen, your ears will be pleasantly surprised. And though at first glance, it is the acrobatic instrumentation that captures the audience's attention, underneath the eclectic visual spectacle lies a solid body of crafted compositions.
Peace of Mind Orchestra (aka “POMOâ€) is comprised of Ari Leopold and Matt Engel. The duo finished their first record, “Still Awake at Dawn, part one,†in the summer of 2009. The record has a funky, psychedelic, vintage feel, pillared by catchy choruses and captivating instrumental sections. With Matt and Ari recording various parts, each on several different instruments, it actually sounds like a 4-6 piece band.
In emulating this sound live, the duo avoids the ever-more-traditional approach of using loops and sequencers. Instead, Matt covers both bass and keyboard lines, using a Moog synthesizer bass, and a Nord Electro (known for its Hammond Organ and Rhodes Piano sounds.) Ari developed a similar 2-at-once approach for drumkit and guitar, involving extra footpedals for a snare drum, and the “beat guitar,†where he hits the strings with a drumstick.
POMO’s music takes adventurous journeys across the genre pool, ranging from ambient aural landscapes to tightly interlocked, musical mosaics, resolving into their own blend, hinting flavors of Pink Floyd, Motown and New Orleans funk.
The group is currently working on post-production for their upcoming “Still Awake at Dawn, part two.†To date, their touring has focused on the regions surrounding New Orleans and Northern California. However, with their upcoming 2009-10 schedule, they are pleased to be expanding toward a wider national fanbase.
View Peace-Of-Mind Orchestra's EPK
