Tag: Conspirator

Interview ~ Marc Brownstein Talks Conspirator Tour & Album

Written by Matt Heredos

Marc Brownstein is one of the busiest musicians on the planet. Weather its playing five night New Year’s runs in New York City, hosting the annual Camp Bisco, or touring with one of his many side projects, Marc’s appetite for growing as musician appears to be insatiable. He is currently on tour with fellow Disco Biscuit member Aron Magner as part of Conspirator and they make their first appearance in Indianapolis this Sunday February 24th at The Vogue in Broad Ripple. The band also recently released a new EP titled ‘Unleashed’ and it’s available for download HERE.
This past week Marc took some time to answer a few questions about how this tour has been, and about some of his favorite places to play in the Midwest. 
-In general, how has this tour with Conspirator been so far? 

MB: The tour has been amazing. I’m almost forty years old. I’m going to be forty next month, and I mean it’s so amazing to be able to keep this thing going. When we got together in 2004 we didn’t expect really, to become a “band,” more of a project. We didn’t take it very seriously as far as writing new music, continuously putting out new music, we just didn’t have the time. Now that we have more time to dedicate to this we’ve been able to visit a million new places which is really exciting.  

We’ve never played Indianapolis as far as I know, I know we played Bloomington once. We’ve been able to come out more and more and now were making our third trip to Minneapolis, fifth or sixth trip to Chicago, second to Grand Rapids, and it seems to create this ripple affect where maybe one show you go to there’s 200 people, next time 400. You just see it double out and double out, it’s just been amazing the whole thing.  Going along with Break Science, they bring a whole lot to the table too, a lot of fans.  

We’re on tour with really great people. People who are inspiring to us as musicians and you know that’s what you want. You want to surround yourself with people that will make you a better person, better musician, better producer, all of that. I think besides a couple dates in the deep south we’ve never been to before, we’ve had a whole lot of packed houses. 

-One thing that comes with newer bands or projects is playing in smaller venues. As someone who has played at venues the size of Red Rocks, what are some of the things you like and dislike about smaller venues ? 

MB: Well, what’s been nice this time (tour) is that we have the luxury of playing amphitheaters and arenas throughout the course of the year. And, it’s not really an ego thing now. We can come back around having been successful before and to be able to enjoy what’s great about it, rather than always wanting to be bigger.  

The first times it’s always about wanting to get out of clubs, coveting thy neighbor, it was about always wanting to be bigger, more successful, and now you come back and you’re in small clubs and the energy, being able to control this energy with just 200 other people is pretty cool. Learning how to control the energy of various sized crowds has been something fun to discover.  

One of the things though, sometimes the stage can be a little too small in smaller venues. Sometimes you wish you had a little more space to spread out, but even so, some of these smaller clubs still have exceptional setups, small theater type settings that are wonderful to play in. 

-If you had to pick your favorite place you’ve ever performed at, what would it be? 

MB: Well, how can you really do that? I mean we played in Mexico on the night the Mayan calendar came to an end, but is that better than playing at Red Rocks? 

-What about some of your favorite places to play at in the Midwest? 

MB: Deer Creek was pretty cool. It was really awesome, we played there the first night of the Identity tour and it wasn’t packed or anything, but still an amazing place to play. Oh! There’s a little amphitheater in Indianapolis that was one of my favorite little amphitheaters to play, on the White River? 

-Yes, the Lawn at White River State Park

MB: Ah, yes… Incredible venue. Had a headliner tour go through there once, great place. But, is that any better than the House of Blues in Chicago? Ya know? 

-I bring up Midwest venues because the first time I ever saw you perform was at one of my favorite places in the world, the Rothbury Festival in Michigan in 2008. How was performing at that festival?

MB: “Rothbury was just ridiculous, in the best way possible. For me it was more about getting off the stage, being able to walk through the forest, that’s what was special about that place. They just have it set up to where it’s just like, a magical wonderland. The stages, the lights, and the field are great but really they’re no better than what goes on at Camp Bisco, but what Rothbury did in that forest, the quote on quote “Electric Forest,” if you will, isn’t being done anywhere else outside of the Fuji Rock festival, which is where I feel like a lot of the inspiration for Rothbury’s setup came from.  

You wanna talk about great places to play, Fuji Rock was over the top, one of the best festivals I’ve ever played at. But yea, Rothbury, Double JJ Ranch, can’t beat it. Just year after year, whether it’s with the Biscuits, Conspirator, this year with Suckerpunch, and hopefully next year swing back around and bring the Biscuits back, or Conspirator, either one. You just have to be there.”

Conspirator’s tour ends this Sunday in Indy and after a short break they head out west for a short run in Colorado and California. Marc will also be doing a handful of shows with his other project Suckerpunch, most notably at the Electric Forest festival in Rothbury Michigan June 27-30th along with three nights of the String Cheese Incident.

The annual Camp Bisco also recently announced arguably it’s best lineup to date. With three nights of The Disco Biscuits, as well as performances by STS9, Bassnectar, Passion Pit, Animal Collective, Umphrey’s Mcgee, along with dozens more at the Indian Lookout Country Club in Mariaville New York, July 11-13th. 

 
Websites & Links: ConspiratorBand.com | Facebook | Soundcloud

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Video ~ Aura Music & Arts Festival Announce 2013 Initial Lineup and Move to Suwannee

From Aura Music Festival

“AURA Music Events has announced Papadosio, Conspirator, Perpetual Groove and The Heavy Pets as headliners for AURA Music & Arts Festival 2013! Now taking place February 15th–17th, the much-loved event will kick off festival season at the renowned Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida.

Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress along the Suwannee River, the park is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, disc golf and biking. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park also offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, showers and water stations. In addition to primitive camping, fans can upgrade their AURA experience with RV hook ups, cabin rentals and golf cart rentals.

Since its inception in 2010, AURA Music & Arts Festival has stayed true to its mission of showcasing the best regional and national touring bands in the underground jam community and live-electronic scene, building an event that brings fans together for a magical weekend. Treating festivalgoers to a variety of musical styles ranging from rock, funk and jazz to roots reggae, jam-tronica and hip-hop, the vibe at AURA is unlike any other festival, creating a community of music, arts, culture and togetherness, and 2013 will be no exception.

A limited number of $75 tickets will be available on Monday, September 10th at AURAMusicFestival.com. For cabin rentals, RV hook ups and golf cart rentals please contact The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park at 386.364.1683 or MusicLivesHere.com. Stay tuned for additional details and artist announcements!”

Websites & Links: AuraMusicFestival.com | Facebook | Twitter

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Catskill Chill Announces 2012 Lineup: Yonder, Lotus, Conspirator, Soulive & More

From Catskill Chill
“Catskill Chill Music Festival unveils their artist line-up for the third annual Chill at the picturesque Camp Minglewood in Hancock, New York. Taking place September 7th – 9th, the 2012 event will host over 40 bands on three stages during the 3-day camping festival.

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, where the beauty of nature synchronizes with the euphoric sounds of live music, this intimate lakeside event has quickly become one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. The Chill features free parking, free camping, on-site cabin rentals, three outdoor covered stages and an Open Mic stage encouraging fans to become part of the performance. Festivalgoers can also enjoy yoga, drum circles, live art, and a communal bonfire each night.”

Announced Lineup: Yonder Mountain String BandLotusConspiratorSouliveLettuceEOTO • JGB with Melvin SealsRubblebucketCornmealParticleBreak ScienceThe Heavy PetsHeadtronicsKung FuZoogmaDrFameus • DJ Logic • Yarn • Yarn plays Dead set • Jennifer Hartswick Band • Dopapod • KRAZ • Wyllys • The McLovins • Caravan of Thieves • Alan Evans Trio • DAMN RIGHT! • The Indobox • Consider the Source • Jeff Bujak • On The Spot Trio • Timbre Coup • The Alchemystics • lespecial • FiKus • ShwizZ • Twiddle • Turbine • Derek VanScoten (D.V.S*) • Horizon Wireless • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong • The Folkadelics

Websites & Links: CatskillChill.com | Facebook | Twitter

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