This band of UofL instrumentalists is taking its show on the road
By Joseph Lord
Music schools are breeding grounds for experimental super-groups. Take Paradigm, which formed at the University of Louisville School of Music when classmates wanted to play rock and jazz, freed from the boundaries of school-organized combos.
“When we first started, we’d just jam together without any expectations,” keyboardist Brian Healey said.
The jam sessions evolved into something of a jam band – instrumental indie rock, with influences like Radiohead and Sigur Ros, fused with the jazz its members were studying at UofL. The founding members hailed from outside of Louisville, and the band’s groove-like, jazzy sound is distinct – none of them have been here long enough to fall into the trap of playing the familiar hardcore or indie sounds that made Louisville famous.
This month, Paradigm released its second album, “Melodies for Uncertain Robots,” which is available in stores and via most major digital music sites. With a booking agent about lined up, a tour is a certainty when the school year ends in May, and Healey said Paradigm may record again in 2008.
Instrumental bands usually struggle to catch on outside of their niche audience, but Healey said the band’s intent is to write jazzy songs with pop-like hooks – perhaps enough to satisfy casual listeners.
The first big break after Paradigm formed three years ago was playing evenings at the Qdoba Mexican Grill on Bardstown Road. Few serious musicians want to compete with the sound of “Could I have some more of the hot salsa on that? And more queso? ” Nevertheless, Healey said the band benefited before a crowd they simply needed to entertain, not impress.
“We got a lot of exposure from that,” he said, laughing.
“Melodies” is the first album for saxophonist Myron Koch, who organizes the Peak Summit Festival, with longstanding members Healey, Jonathan Epley, Will Roberts and Evan Pouchak. Roberts recently left the band and was replaced on bass by Dave Alfred.
Koch carries the melodies, his sax almost taking the place of a vocalist. He had been a Paradigm fan from booking Peak Summit and the Bluegrass Brewing Co. on Shelbyville Road.
“When I found them, I thought, ‘Oh my God’ – these guys are no doubt one of the best bands in Louisville, especially for the genre,” said Koch, who is from Louisville. “I liked their ability to move a crowd while still keeping some intelligence to them.”
Paradigm already has made a habit of playing outside of Louisville, including occasional stops in Lexington and Carbondale, Ill. The five-piece band’s tour this summer should be extensive.
“We might actually do really well,” Koch said. “As far as attitudes, these guys are golden.”
Courier – Journal – Louisville, Ky.
| Subjects: | Musical performances; Jazz; Musicians & conductors |
| Author: | Lord, Joseph |
| Date: | Dec 12, 2007 |
| Start Page: | V.28 |
| Section: | Velocity |