EOTO

Drums and Guitars and Keyboards, Oh My! EOTO Jams at Nectar

Last night in Fremont as Jason Hann and Michael Travis set up the stage with a ridiculous number of instruments and equipment, the warm, funky air of Nectar Lounge became infused with the electricity of fans who know they are about to experience the evolution of music. No one cared that the bartender was too busy to smile (as usual), that it was cold as hell outside for the smokers, or that beer was all over the dance floor (the guy in the costume, not the drink). Everyone was on their toes, ready to jam as EOTO took the stage. Now you know when white kids with dreadlocks and knit hats show up, they're gonna get down. Nectar needs to push back the annoyingly large iron tables at the front of the dance floor and give preference to the movers and shakers over the couple of people who have the nerve to sit down and sip their vodka-crans in the forefront of a bangin' dance floor. And bangin' it was- the energy around the neighborhood of Fremont was palpable and positive, the good vibes spilling out onto the nearby sidewalks and streets. From a collection of three keyboards, a couple of computer monitors, a few guitars, a sampler, a mixer, and God knows how many drums, the duo flung out jammy melodies to stomping house beats; dreamy, trancey grooves to glitched-out bass. Drawing from influences in electronic music, world beats, computer artists, and the emotion of the crowd, EOTO created a musical experience original in the universe last night, remixed it, crunked it, and slung it again and again. The crowd felt it, and acted accordingly, dancing with smiling faces and dreadlocks flying everywhere. As long as musicians like EOTO keep pushing forward the evolving interconnection of modern technology and the ancient human need to dance, there will be no debate of old school vs. new school, tradition vs. progress, instrumentation vs. electronica, 'cuz it's all good. The crowd knew it Monday night, and you know it now.