If you chose to arrive at The Blockley on time for JGB’s show on October 11th, you’re probably interested in learning more about Sakima, the opening band that rocked the stage like a headliner! If you didn’t arrive early or, worse yet, attend the show at all, then you missed out and should make better musical choices moving forward (Sakima will be providing you with an opportunity to exercise better judgment when they play Jolly’s later this month on November 13th with Highway 41).
This South-Jersey trio features guitarist Jason Hosier, bassist Corey Kimball, and drummer Troy Clark. Their friendship prior to forming the band is apparent in their musical chemistry and unity in the mission of bringing the concert experience, and subsequently the human experience, to its highest potential. Sakima greatly enhanced the time of the show when friends find each other; their intricate jamming providing the perfect soundtrack for hugs and reunions that quickly became dance circles. Melvin Seals and JGB is a highly anticipated act, making Sakima’s ability to fully engage the crowd a testament to their talent. The classic Phil Lesh sweatband on Corey’s bass wasn’t the only thing that won Deadheads over as fans both young and old gravitated towards the stage. The band partners their structured technical command with a free, exploratory style that allows the crowd to let loose during their tight performance.
Be sure to check out links from their performance highlights below. “Voyage” builds from a sound that conjures images of rippling waters and the band creates the initial sense of synchronicity as a solid launch for Corey and Jason embarking on journeys up and down their fretboards. “Static Cling” immediately evokes grooving—Jason’s soaring guitar riffs are grounded by Corey’s basslines as the song builds around Troy’s drumming. Their technical mastery is further demonstrated in Beastie Boys cover “Sabrosa.”
Voyage – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy2abB7iQdg
Static Cling – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKXNbXP7RQ4
Sabrosa – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zMIp2dHkBs
After making a good show choice, The Music Vibes caught up with Sakima to inquire about their formation, musical philosophy, instrument choices, and more!
Your description mentions spending time in the “barn/laboratory” in preparation to hit the scene. Can you share more about how you came together, your rehearsal space, and songwriting/rehearsal process?
We were all friends before forming this band. Troy and Corey were friends before Corey had even picked up the bass. Jason and Troy had met through mutual friends and would run into each other on occasion at random shows. One day we had the chance to get together for a jam session set up by our drummer Troy. We plugged in at a barn that belongs to great family friends of our band and the experiment began. There were no preconceived ideas of what the music was supposed to become or how we wanted anything to sound. From that freedom came concepts, which quickly turned into songs and the foundation of our beginnings. That is how our ideas still form. Every song we create or cover starts with an input from a single piece from where the collaboration then evolves.
What instruments (specific models) do you each play? How does your choice of your respective instruments affect your sound/style (6 string bass, guitar pedal board, etc.)?
- Troy plays on a Pearl Session Custom kit with a mixture of Sabian AAX crashes, a Sabian AA splash and a Paiste ride symbol. He also adds some auxiliary percussion into the mix (mini timbales, wood blocks, cowbells, ect.)
- Jason switches off between a custom guitar he built with his grandfather and a guitar crafted by the talented local luthier Pete Brown, founder of Loudo Musical Instruments based in Collingswood, NJ. Right now his rig is pretty simplistic consisting of a fender combo amp with a just few pedals.
- Corey plays a 6 string Spector Classic bass through an Eden 550 Traveler with a 4×10 Eden XLT. He also currently uses a Boss GT 10B.
Each player is able to bring a certain tonality and style that comes from a combination of their technique as well as their equipment. We also feel that the instrument choices can allow for our expression to be enhanced during our songwriting process. One riff or rhythm may start with a specific feeling and it could be eventually transformed though the performance process and experimentation of different available gear. In some ways the equipment can help push the limits of what was originally conceived and in other ways it can quickly guide us back to the core of the tune. Finding that feel right combination is essential to our creative goals.
Your description also mentions creating unity and peace through the celebration of life that is made possible by music. Do you feel your appreciation of the multiple genres to which you pay homage plays into acknowledging and demonstrating the universal power of music? Do you feel your music allows listeners to tap into their own complex natures as you explore yours? If so, how?
We want to be extremely open-minded and as universal as possible with our music to bring some unity in a world where many things divide us. We are not so much paying homage to the genres, as we are paying homage to those who listen to that music and keep it alive. We definitely feel that the real power of music is passed between the audience and the band. It is the energy of the space and the freedom that we share during the performance. We hope through this that our community is able to grab onto their own understanding of what Sakima really is. As a band we do everything we can to express our emotions and that is certainly enhanced by pulling from the eclectic dimensions of jam fusion. We hope that the audience is able to tap into their own complex nature, their own freedom as we are seeking the same. Still, painters can only display their art and it is up to the viewers to describe what it really means. We feel the same applies to this music. We challenge ourselves instrumentally in order to provoke the listeners as strongly as possible. We comprehend our thoughts, try to present them, the audience perceives everything through their own way and together we make an experience.
Corey was rocking the signature Phil Lesh sweatband on his bass and you covered Beastie Boys’ “Sabrosa.” Who are some of your greatest influences?
Great influences can be found in all genres of music and we truly love that. We do our best to utilize as many inspirations as possible while adapting the sound into our own natural ebb and flow. Our specific greatest influences are impossible to share, as there are so many of them for each of the band members. We hope to display this in the variety we give to our listeners. If you check out a recording or come out to a show then you will have a good idea of where we are coming from.
What was your experience at your JGB Blockley show? Do you feel you reached a wide audience as the venue started to fill? Seems like you were well received!
It was an amazing night with a fine amount of dancing. We recognized many faces and had a whole lot more that we saw for the first time. Everyone was sending out the love in a big way, which made it even more enjoyable for us. We are very grateful for the opportunity that Melvin Seals & JGB and The Blockley gave. The vibe felt so genuine and the community was the most important part of that. We look forward to making music with everyone next door to The Blockley on November 13th at Jolly’s!
In addition to the videos above, you can become acquainted with Sakima’s orginals at https://soundcloud.com/sakimaband and should visit https://www.facebook.com/SakimaSounds. Also, be sure to catch them at Jolly’s on Wednesday, November 13th with Highway 41: Celebrating the Music of the Allman Brothers Band.
Review by Mia Jester
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