Spectacle is a trio that is like no other in today’s electronic scene. They have been lighting up stages at local venues and festivals around the Denver, Colorado area, and across the East Coast of the US on their tour last fall. Since then, these three talented musicians have been working on something special for 2017.
Spectacle dishes up tracks and performances that unite many different sounds, and draw from several genres. Each artist seems to be a puzzle piece in a mosaic of reggae, funk, Latin, classical, and jazz, amalgamated under the lens of contemporary electronic music. Jessica Rose Borth plays the violin creating soaring melodies while percussionist Rob Brandon keeps it steady, and Michael Lee Mahan drives the hype with a mix table set up. Hybridized music has the potential to sound forced, sometimes sterile because it is too stripped down, but the rich melodies, and soundscapes that are illustratively delivered in each track show how talented these musicians are. The masterful fusion of new and old create emotional journeys, and it is difficult not to feel moved by Spectacle’s performances.
Their newest single ‘Edges and Arrows’ is a spellbinding journey through a forest of a myriad musical species. Brimming with emotional swells, and sexy slow downs it captures the genre-bending grooves of Spectacle’s signature style. As Rose’s violin dashes together with the earthy percussion of a bongo, the race to each break is married with an eerie, almost accordion-like melody. ‘Edges and Arrows’ is sure to hypnotize with its plush landscape of poignant focus, enthralling sounds, novel textures, and intriguing progressions.
I was able to ask Spectacle a few questions and get more of the story on how real instruments got into the electronic scene.
1. What is the significance of the name ‘Edges and Arrows’?
The song was named and written by Spectacle’s very own, Michael Mahan. His concept for the name has to do with the internal battles of the mind, body, and its surrounding world. The edges and limitations set by our surroundings, that directly affect the approach and pursuit of our dreams. Goals that are living arrows, soaring forward on a path of the infinite. Success can be achieved in the mind, and through this process the limitations of the physical body overcome.
2. When did you write the song?
Michael started ideas for the song in late October of last year. He wrote the whole demo in one sitting at a coffee shop. Usually a song takes weeks to write, but this one seemed to flow out in just a couple of hours. We all love this one, we always get great crowd reactions when we play it live. We played it on night one at the Playstation theatre with Lotus.
We feel this song shares feelings of optimism, enthusiasm, and liberation.
3. You describe your music as emotional. What kind of emotions would describe ‘Edges and Arrows’?
We feel this song shares feelings of optimism, enthusiasm, and liberation. The flowing pads and lush violin arpeggios connect with the bongos for a build that is almost empathetic to the hard synth driven drop. There is a certain warmth the post drop violin melody brings that sounds hopeful, and a brightness to the melodicas’ reeds as it tails off and brings the song to its end.
4. As the Spectacle Trio you cross many genres. What combination of sounds did you use in creating ‘Edge and Arrows’?
Edges and Arrows is the perfect representation of Spectacle as a trio. The work showcases each instrument evenly and gives the audience a unique soundscape that they might not have heard before. The blend of classical technique, world rhythms, and electronic attributes takes the listener on quite the ride. Edges and Arrows uses these live instruments mixed with electronic backing tracks to create such a live feeling:
Violin / Bass Guitar / Melodica / Bongos / Congas / Chekere / Timbales / Cymbals / Piano / Synths
5.Where and when can we experience ‘Edges and Arrows’ live?
We will be releasing a live video performance of Edges and Arrows on 3/2. In regards to upcoming shows with the live Trio – expect to see us in at a major Denver venue at the end of April. You can also catch the full live Trio at Cervantes Otherside on May 6th for Spread The Word Fest 2017.
6. Can you tell us what is was like to open for Lotus in New York City?
Opening for Lotus in NYC for two nights in a row was incredible. It was the perfect way to end our first East Coast Tour! Lotus has been an inspiration to the members of Spectacle for many years. We can remember watching them 8+ years ago as they carved out a unique spot in the Music industry. Playing beside them was incredibly humbling and exciting. What really stood out to us was the incredible staff of the PlayStation Theater, from hospitality to the Stage Crew. The sound system and sound engineers had the trio sounding the best we ever have and the massive crowd that fueled enigmatic energy brought our stage performance to a new level. It will not be the only time we play at this venue and look forward to coming back to NYC for a second round!
The way Spectacle came to be is an interesting story. Michael met Jess in Boulder at a house party and requested he DJ her birthday party a few weeks later. While DJing the party Jessica asked Michael if she could play some violin over his music. Michael spoke with Jess the following day and suggested they start making some music together.
Michael and Rob went to school together attending the music program at The University of Colorado Denver. Michael and Rob vaguely knew each other but didn’t really start talking until Michael approached Rob in the practice rooms, asking if he wanted to play percussion in his new electronic project. The three of us got together in the following weeks to rehearse once for an upcoming Halloween show. A bit over two years later and the rest is history!
Follow Spectacle
Facebook – facebook.com/spectacletrio
Twitter – twitter.com/spectacletrio
SoundCloud – soundcloud.com/spectaclemusic
