RIO 2015 reviews & thoughts

**flytomars** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Steve F.

Well, unless you want to say "it has to sound like avant-garde rock music of 40 years ago", which I hope you would not want to say, I would merely comment "WHAT RIO paradigm"?

some 'academic classical music' isn't that far from Art Zoyd

and

I personally wouldn't mind seeing some math-rock there. YMMV

Arrrrgh, I thought of giving you a serious answer but then I got into the "what is progressive" loop.
So for me RIO is what I listen and sounds RIO to me.

**Steve F.** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by flytomars

Arrrrgh, I thought of giving you a serious answer but then I got into the "what is progressive" loop. ...

Yes. That's the problem, isn't it? Thanks for posting.

**Prehensile Pencil** · 10-01-2015

Oh my gosh.... I can't believe what I'm reading here. We make fun of Symph Weenies, and now we're on the brink of becoming RIO Weenies ourselves ?? I don't wish to sound too admonishing, but:

RIO is not a genre, it is not a style, it is not an attitude, it is not consonance vs. dissonance, nor is it a disposition. It is a musical gathering. And no-one deserves to be at this gathering more than M & M, who are not only the most talented guys we could ever hope to have on "our side" (the one that is largely self-generated, self-administered and self-sufficient), but some of the hardest working and most humble of the lot.

**Steve F.** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Prehensile Pencil

Oh my gosh.... I can't believe what I'm reading here.<snip>

welcome home, Dave!

**Trane** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Prehensile Pencil

Oh my gosh.... I can't believe what I'm reading here. We make fun of Symph Weenies, and now we're on the brink of becoming RIO Weenies ourselves ?? I don't wish to sound too admonishing, but:

The symph weenie virus morphed and became contagious

I believe I used the word RIO bradwurst when the term symph weenie was coined.

**NogbadTheBad** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Prehensile Pencil

Oh my gosh.... I can't believe what I'm reading here. We make fun of Symph Weenies, and now we're on the brink of becoming RIO Weenies ourselves ?? I don't wish to sound too admonishing, but:

RIO is not a genre, it is not a style, it is not an attitude, it is not consonance vs. dissonance, nor is it a disposition. It is a musical gathering. And no-one deserves to be at this gathering more than M & M, who are not only the most talented guys we could ever hope to have on "our side" (the one that is largely self-generated, self-administered and self-sufficient), but some of the hardest working and most humble of the lot.

Well said Sir.

**NogbadTheBad** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Levgan

So is this turning into "who should play on the next RIO" thing?

Then please consider my polite vote for Polite Refusal (a.k.a. Vezhlivy Otkaz). Yes, bringing a band from our neck of woods is probably not very cheap, but it did not prevent RIO from booking Rational Diet a few years ago (I don't think flights from Minsk are significantly cheaper than those from Moscow). I'm pretty sure they can easily get in touch with VO via Altrock who distributes their CDs and does a great job with it, but if my help is needed, I'm at Michel's (or anyone else's) disposal. I know all of the guys personally, they're all very nice people, and the bass player is an old friend of mine.

I was telling everyone to add them to their questionnaires. A bucket list band for me who I foresee very little chance of ever seeing given our geographic differences.

**flytomars** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Prehensile Pencil

Oh my gosh.... I can't believe what I'm reading here. We make fun of Symph Weenies, and now we're on the brink of becoming RIO Weenies ourselves ?? I don't wish to sound too admonishing, but:

RIO is not a genre, it is not a style, it is not an attitude, it is not consonance vs. dissonance, nor is it a disposition. It is a musical gathering. And no-one deserves to be at this gathering more than M & M, who are not only the most talented guys we could ever hope to have on "our side" (the one that is largely self-generated, self-administered and self-sufficient), but some of the hardest working and most humble of the lot.

Brother Dave, if this what was needed to get you out of your hole then it was worth it

**Prehensile Pencil** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by flytomars

Brother Dave, if this what was needed to get you out of your hole then it was worth it

I want to crawl into a hole every time I watch Morgan play !

**Phlakaton** · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Prehensile Pencil

I want to crawl into a hole every time I watch Morgan play !

What's even funnier is watching me try to play the kit along with some of his drumming. Quite the trainwreck! But I still try and try again like a stupid chimp with sticks.

chalkpie · 10-01-2015

Originally Posted by Prehensile Pencil

I want to crawl into a hole every time I watch Morgan play !

I want to crawl into a hole every time I see one - I like holes.

chalkpie · 10-01-2015

Yes, the whole notion of RIO at this point is silly. The only RIO that is pertinent at this point is the place in Brazil with lots of bikinis. This seems like an amazing festival, and one that I would give my left testicle to be able to attend someday (hopefully somebody could return it to me afterwards), and what I personally admire about it is seeing the diversity of acts, and that includes the Mats/Morgen type of bands. I think a weekend of the same old dissonant, alternating measures of 13/8 and 7/8, etc etc gets olde very quickly. Even bluegrass festivals have started to employ a wide range of acoustic music throughout the weekend, because folks are realizing that 3 days of the Flatt and Scruggs "school" can get old real quick and people might actually try to kill themselves before its over if they keep hearing the same shit over and over. How is the RIO fest any different? Variety, baby.

I will say this once again - to name two bands that I really really like and perhaps they wouldn't automatically meet the criteria (on paper when you read their bios) - but Jack O' the Clock and Knifeworld are two stellar acts that not only belong to this festival, I think they achieve and transcend the true meaning of RIO in their amazing diversity and eclecticism. Are they opposed to anything? Who gives a shit. Its music that contains a certain complexity, musicianship, stylistic diversity, textural and colorful components, interesting and dare I say beautiful melodicism (and unique harmonic structures), etc the list goes on. What more would you want?

**NogbadTheBad** · 10-01-2015

Both those bands would work well at RIO. Having got a little distance I have to say this years edit stacks up well with any festival I've ever attended. It had a great combination of bands, friends and atmosphere. I had a phenomenal time.

**Udi Koomran** · 10-02-2015

It would be tough to top this edition
Lets hope Michel can keep it running

**flytomars** · 10-02-2015

Originally Posted by chalkpie

I will say this once again - to name two bands that I really really like and perhaps they wouldn't automatically meet the criteria (on paper when you read their bios) - but Jack O' the Clock and Knifeworld are two stellar acts that not only belong to this festival, I think they achieve and transcend the true meaning of RIO in their amazing diversity and eclecticism. Are they opposed to anything? Who gives a shit. Its music that contains a certain complexity, musicianship, stylistic diversity, textural and colorful components, interesting and dare I say beautiful melodicism (and unique harmonic structures), etc the list goes on. What more would you want?

I heard that Knifeworld were recording an Album at Bob Drake's studio just a few (hundred?) Kilometers away. Too bad they couldnt arrange a show, being so close to it all...

**Kavus Torabi** · 10-02-2015

^ Hi, that's right we were. To be honest we were flat out for the whole time we were there. Obviously we'd love to play. I've done RIO three times with Guapo and it's really my favourite festival.

**flytomars** · 10-02-2015

Originally Posted by Kavus Torabi

^ Hi, that's right we were. To be honest we were flat out for the whole time we were there. Obviously we'd love to play. I've done RIO three times with Guapo and it's really my favourite festival.

^Yeah, the local wine is cheap and great, ha?