Worcester’s Sunlea: A Thinking Man’s Jam Band
Friday, August 02, 2013
Sunlea jammin' at Beatnik's. Talent and fun all in one.
Worcester's Sunlea is a thinking man's jam band, meaning, well, they are far more than just a Grateful Dead-style act that gets its kicks from slick and unpredictable, yet simple, live performances. Their recorded music is very composed and structured, and even their live performances show an extraordinary amount of artistry and musicianship, incorporating many different elements and influences.
"We're a little more than just the average bar band," says the band."On a good night, we can get into some very cool spaces incorporating elements of blues, jazz, country, and folk. We're all over the place really."
"You've just got to check out a gig to see what Sunlea is all about," they add. Indeed, they come highly recommended. Still, much like other jam and bar bands, they try not to take themselves too seriously. They are ultimately about having fun, and giving a few hours of joy and freedom to the audience.
"But make no mistake, when it comes to the music, we can get into some serious, heady spaces," reminds the band.
On any given night, their music can cover a gamut of emotions from heavy blues to bright, happy reggae, from grunge songs to Grateful Dead covers.
A Short History
Sunlea started as a two man duo comprised of Mike Dunlea and Mike "Sunny" Albrecht playing acoustic cover tunes at college bars.. At the end of their senior year (2005) at Assumption College, they dubbed the duo "Sunlea". After a few years of gigging around Massachusetts Sunlea added a rhythm section consisting of more Assumption alumni, Brad Zepko on bass and James Fuccione on percussion. Local legend Brad Simmons (Uncle Billy's Smokehouse, White Chocolate, Gorilla Radio) was signed as the drummer.
The band's first full-length album was Shades of Rhythm. It has already sold out of hard copies but is still available for purchase on iTunes.
"It contains 10 original songs that we wrote with our lyricist, Ox Owens. Our buddy Ryan Serra did all the album artwork. It's a really cool album that's very simple, but a cool musical statement none-the-less," they say, describing the album.
They plan to reenter the recording studio by the end of this year.
"We're trying to record a little more 'loosely'", they say of possible future recording sessions. "We've written a couple of new tunes that have free form jams and parts where we're just gonna play and see what happens."
As where you can see them live locally, the band has two cool Worcester gigs lined up. They will be performing at Tammany Hall with Sun Jones on August 23rd and they will be at Beatnik's, their favorite spot to play, on September 20th.
Whether you prefer your music live or recorded, like wild jams or intricate rhythms, you'll be in for a treat when listening to Sunlea, and they view it as a treat playing for you. As they say,
"Music is one of the only vehicles on this planet that can change moods instantly. It can transport the audience (and the performer) from deep dark spaces, to bright areas of light and sometimes all in the same moment."
For more information on Sunlea and to hear some of their music please find them on Facebook.
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