Stage presence: The Cosmopolitics

Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Cosmopolitics don't want you to sing along, but they'll groove the pants right off your backside. The four piece instrumental outfit fronted by the virtuosic guitars of Matt Gader relys on the careful melding of progressive rock, jazz fusion and funk. With roots firmly grounded in bands like Umphreys Mcgee, Frank Zappa, and Yes, The Cosmopolitics have carved out a nitch in the Lawrence music scene.

The fan base they've built over their five years together shows that their audience doesn't seem to mind their lack of lyrics. However the band, which has been relentlessly touring, is finding it difficult to garner much attention without vocals.

Contributed photo

Chillin’, Cosmopolitics style. The band plays the Jazzhaus tomorrow.

Lacking any major label support, the group tried to clear its own path by starting its own label, Stone Lab Records. Luke Stone, the band’s drummer, primarily runs the label.

The band have released one album on this label — Idio-Sin-Chronic — and are in the process of recording their latest album, Mental Hygiene. Fans can expect to hear keyboardist Ken Lovern play a larger role in the band’s sound on the new album.

The Cosmopolitics are playing at the Jazzhaus this Friday and are slated for a west coast tour following a gig opening for The Steve Kimock Band on October 24th.

They’re sure to bring the funk.

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