Hitting a local stage with the aim of bolstering awareness about a just-released CD, Mamaguroove performs at The Vat June 10.
Spinning tunes from Songs for a Blue Planet, the band will be pulling out the stops for the performance which is being touted as an age 18-plus show.
Mamaguroove has been playing its infectious, homegrown, eclectic brand of music for more than 10 years. Grown from the roots of back-to-the-land-life in the Rocky Mountain wilderness of northern B.C., the ‘Guroove’ consists of a tight knit tribe.
Mamaguroove’s core unit consists of three family members: Shara Gustafson (lead vocals/percussion) and wife of Seth Macdonald (guitars/vocals), who is cousin to Chris Chapman (bass/vocals.)
Their songs express a strong connection to working, raising families, and tackling social and political issues found both in their own backyard and the world abroad.
The sound of the ‘Guroove’ grips the senses of its audiences from the first crack of the snare drum, and drives them headlong through a universe of musical styles ranging from Latin/flamenco-based rock to reggae, funk, folk, worldbeat, and even metal.
The three vocalists are also as different from each other as they are complimentary, from Chris’ ‘Deeper than Barry White’ rumble to Seth’s impassioned battle cries to Shara’s silky, seductive siren’s call.
Ultimately, for Mamaguroove it’s all about the songs which speak with sometimes brutal honesty of the insanity of our society, of the immediate need for humanity to change, and of hope for a better way of life.
They speak from the perspective of practicing what they preach as well. Mamaguroove is also striving towards a sustainable way of life from growing their own organic produce, to processing waste vegetable oil into clean-burning bio-diesel to power their touring vehicle to hosting sustainable living and renewable energy workshops.
Rounding out the band are Dave McKillican (drums) son of Barry McKillican (sound, lights, engineering) and David Radies (saxophone).
The band boasts three independently recorded and released projects – their self-titled debut (2000), Fruit of the Groove (2003) and 2007’s Resistance is Fertile!
-Weber
