Sharing the Awesome

The EpicGrip stamp has been milled, and the prototypes are being tumbled as I write this. Hopefully I should have some pretty pictures for you by the 27th...

Now the rest of this update is going to be a little weird...  At this stage in the project, I don't have that much else interesting EpicGrip specific stuff to share.  I've been very busy, just not with anything all that fun, for example, I've been working on packaging, nailing down mailing options, figuring out shopping cart options for the website, reading a lot of Kickstarter related blogs and figuring out how to get all your addresses on to envelopes with minimal fuss.

I know, YAWN... right?

So, for this post, I'd like to break the rules, and just use the platform to share another one of the awesome connections I've met along the way.

In the course of the EpicGrip campaign, I've had the honor of meeting Gary Carpenter and his band the Samurai Gypsies. Gary would be a phenomenal guitarist on his own, but when you add a violin player (Dan) who can match his ferocity, a really active and tasteful bass player (Tindae), and two excellent percussionists, this takes the awesome to a whole new level.

I just got back from seeing them play a two hour set at Angelica's Bistro in Redwood City. The restaurant has these big glass windows, and all through the set I saw passers-by just stopping in their tracks and listening through the window.  The Samurai Gypsies just launched the Kickstarter for their next album, and from their live show I can tell you that it's going to blow their first album out of the water.  I'm not asking you to support them. I'm just informing you of their existence because I think they are absolutely worth sharing. Check out their music links halfway down the page. I have faith that once you hear a couple of tracks, the next step will be obvious.

Now understand, I'm a metal-head at heart. At work I'll put on some Maiden, Metallica, Opeth, Trivium or Rob Zombie and rock out while I'm working, but I just sat through this two hour set of Gypsy Jazz with a dumb-ass grin on my face.

Gary's lead riffs are clearly Spanish guitar, but they are crispy, lightning fast melodic, and never dull. There are clear overtones of rock, jazz, blues, and some middle eastern stuff too. The band is tight, there were moments where the violin/guitar leads sounded like they were being played on a 12 string guitar, and the extremely tasteful funk bass added a compelling extra dimension to the music.

 Interspersed with their awesome original stuff, the Samurai Gypsies did covers from Santana, and Al De Meola, that had everyone in the audience entranced, and then applauding enthusiastically.  There is magic here, and I just really want to share them with you.

If you live in the SF Bay Area, get on their mailing list and see them live... Maybe I'll see you at the next show. :)