It was late June on a sultry Saturday night in St. Petersburg, Florida when I discovered myself swallowed by Central Avenue wall murals brushed across buildings and street graffiti layered upon street signs. The weather was standard for mid-summer Florida — there was a slight breeze as the sun disappeared but that didn’t prevent the mugginess of this swampy state from leaving typical sweat beads coating my hairline. I was craving a cold beer.
Wandering the streets I knew I would make my way down to The Local 662, a creative bar walled by jazzy artwork and high-spirit energy, filled with live music and plenty of dancing. As I made my way to the bar and atlas ordered a cold brew, I listened to the opening act set up their instruments on stage.
My initial intentions for the evening were to support two of the three bands playing at the venue that night. A close family friend played in Offshore Riot, the second band to perform on the stage. I also wanted to support a dear friend of mine who is a member of the wonderful Sidereal, the show’s closer. However, if was the first band, Currentz, that rapidly caught my eye.
I went into the night having no knowledge of this harmonious band’s existence, but after their first two songs they sucked me in along with the rest of the crowed at the 662. Although the show was supposed to begin at 8 p.m., there were a few delays and the times ended up all wonky. Because of this, Currentz was asked to cut their set short instead of giving their full performance and you better believe the venue erupted. Currentz had given such a pleasing performance and generated such high energy on stage the crowed chanted “One more song” in protest.
Sure enough, Currentz gave the people what they wanted and played one final groovy jam that turned the crowd wild and before I knew it I discovered myself three beers deep, gazing at the Currentz merchandise table and buying their album, “Monophyletic.”
Currentz performs all over the Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg area, and even performed a set at the Earthdance Global Peace Party Festival a couple weeks ago here in Florida.
After the band’s kickass performance I felt compelled to accolade them on such a tremendous show. I happened to run into the lead singer/guitar, Brandan Lewis, and praised him for a sick performance. When news about Currentz booking a show in Gainesville broke through the floodgates I was stoked, but when front man, Lewis, agreed to do an interview with me I was beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to dig deeper into Currentz and how this eclectic band came to be.
Upon digging into Currentz development as a band, I noticed the band was created on the foundation of Roots Reggae. What artists and/or bands in particular had the greatest influence on you specifically as front man of Currentz?
The biggest influence, recently anyways, has actually come from more of an improvisational funk background. As far as individual influences go, I LOVE Trey Anastasio and consider his guitar tone to be the holy grail of all tones. In terms of full band cohesiveness I look to bands that have great success working as a unit… Phish and Groundation just to name a few.
Currentz has never been to Gainesville to play a gig before, what are you anticipating?
Well since we are playing with our good friends Sidereal and Hours Eastly we are expecting a great turn out. It’s always a crapshoot playing in new areas, but we bring positive intentions and I truly believe that helps.
It’s 3 A.M. and you have just returned home from a long, drunk night out. You’re starving. What do you do?
Brandan: Honestly? I take a spoon and I scoop almond butter straight out of the jar with honey!
Many artists have taken years trying to weave a tight chemistry. The first night I saw Currentz I could tell you all were fresh energy and a fairly new band. Can you explain the formation of Currentz?
Currentz is a band that is based on improvisation and group composition. Eric and myself have been playing together for almost 5 years now. Most people think we are “fresh” and “new”, but in reality we have just been hibernating until the right time. We are so lucky to have Cody Moore and Ryan Hiers as part of our group as well. They are both graduate students at USF for Music and Composition. So needless to say it helps the chemistry a lot.
After starting out as a simple acoustic guitar, vocal, and percussion duo with band mate Eric Layana, what was the process behind expanding the band and what lured you into doing so?
This is an awesome question and I am glad you asked. Eric and myself met while I was in the thick of my harder classes at USF, Calculus, Chemistry, Physiology. So during that time we basically did a lot of song writing. A year went by and we realized that there was a lot more inside of us that we didn’t realize. So at that point I pulled my old Les Paul out of the closet and we started searching for a group. Every part of this journey has been consistent growing and learning. Without that we wouldn’t be where we are today.
I bought your first album, “Monophyletic,” when I saw Currentz play at The Local 662 in Downtown St. Petersburg over the summer. Can you talk about your vision for this album and elaborate on the title?
Monophyletic is a term that is used in Biology. It means ” all deriving from the same ancestor, or origin.” When I wrote this 10 song album, the current version is a three song EP, I really wanted to be inspired by something I love so I decided to name it “Monophyletic.” I really want this music to unite people and make people dance, even if they don’t normally do so. Tied into this is our incorporation of Funk and Jazz along with our Reggae roots. As all animals came from one ancestor so did music and I want this album to celebrate that.
Via: ibtimes.co.uk
Dunedin, FL is the birthplace of Currentz, correct? Can you tell me about the creative scene in Dunedin and what a band from a town of only 35 thousand people does to develop a name and generate a fan base?
Yes, you are absolutely right. Dunedin, FL is a needle in the haystack. The fist open mic I ever performed at I was 12 years old and I sang a Yellowcard song on acoustic guitar at the Dunedin Brewery. What most people don’t know is that the Dunedin Brewery is the oldest craft brewery in the state of FL and one of the oldest local live music venues in Pinellas County. They pride themselves on “the jam” and this is where I learned the invaluable improvisation skills that allow me to enjoy what I’m doing and truly express myself. This is where I met Eric and where I met our Keyboard/Piano player Austin Lewellyn. I guess you could say that the Dunedin Brewery open mic was like the Mickey Mouse club of my day. So many great musicians have come out of that place I can’t even recall off the top of my head, Ben Plott just to name one person.
You have to compare your sax man, Cody Moore, to a DC Comics Superhero. Explain which superhero and why. Go.
That’s easy… Green Lantern… he is really invincible with his sax. I have seen him stay up over 24 hours on a Thursday… Play a 4 hour gig Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday… aaaand finish all his homework by Monday!
Collectively as a band is there a shared adoration for a single band or artist?
All in all, and the guys might give me a hard time for this, but Phish hands down. A lot of learning is mimicry of the right people… and when you can have a 30 year career with 80,000+ people at every show, you know who the best is.
There were a few songs last time I saw your band perform that were not on the album Monophyletic. Is it safe to assume that there is a new album in the works for Currentz? If so do you have any hints about a release date, title, or the creative mind behind a possible new record?
Well I can’t give too much away, but what I can say is that we will be releasing an album late January of next year. This album will feature songs that we’ve played for years and songs that we will be writing specifically for the album. Now is our time to give back to all that supported us and what’s a better way then giving the fans a time capsule for their ears?
If you had to explain Currentz sound in one word, what would it be?
Energy – cause without energy reactions are impossible!
You can listen to more Currentz through any of the following:
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