TRI-CITIES, Wash.- Seattle-based band General Mojo’s is bringing its psychedelic sound to the Tri-Cities this summer to perform at Tri Town Get Down.
Lead vocalist Dune Butler and vocalist and keyboard player Natalie Colvin are joined by guitarist David James and drummer Raoul Hardin. The group plays in festivals across the Pacific Northwest and even recently played shows in Los Angeles and Mexico.
Butler described the genre of their music as a blend of “psychedelic art pop rock,” and said the group draws from a lot of different styles.
“It feels pretty nostalgic, as well as pushing boundaries for new sounds,” Colvin said.
Similar to many bands and musicians, the group’s creative process is varied.
“In the past, it’s been someone writes a tune and brings it to the band, then we learn it and play it,” Butler said. “This last winter, all of us have brought different ideas and tunes to the table, and we’ve been workshopping them as a group.”
“The beautiful thing is when it can happen all at once,” Colvin added. “That’s the most magical: when you sit down, and the words come, and the melody comes, and you’re playing.”
Butler cited acts like St. Vincent and Tame Impala as influences behind General Mojo’s sound. That influence is heard clearly in tracks like “Turn Back the Pages” and “The Valley,” which boast electronic synths, hard-hitting guitar riffs, and soft, yet powerful, vocals.
Many psychedelic rock bands are categorized with the iconic Grateful Dead. Butler and Colvin did not directly claim the group as an influence but said they do enjoy improvising part of their live sets.
“We do at the end of our shows, probably end up feeding some Deadheads as we veer off into improvisation, which is really fun,” Colvin said.
“We try to be a little more organized,” Butler said. “We try to bring the groove.”
As for the band’s unique name, Butler said he came up with it as a reference to The Gary Burton Quartet’s 1967 jazz record, “General Mojo’s Well Laid Plan.”
Butler said he enjoys jazz music and pulls those influences into his work as well.
Looking toward the future of the group, Butler said a goal down the road is to tour nationally and across the world as they move up festival rosters and continue to discover their sound.
The group has a busy weekend ahead of them at the Tri Town Get Down Festival this summer at John Dam Plaza in Richland, Washington.
General Mojo’s will play on the festival’s main stage, while Colvin and guitarist David James play separately as solo artists on a fusion stage. Butler and Colvin will also play their duo project titled ‘Bedroom Eyes’ on a fusion stage.
Tri Town Get Down runs June 7-9 this summer and will feature over 100 acts. Tickets can be found on the festival’s website.
