Black Castle, featuring members of John Brown’s Body, Big Mean Sound Machine, 10 ft. Ganja Plant and Sim Redmond Band make their debut at The Station!!
Roots reggae powerhouse Mosaic Foundation and local favorite Personal Blend will start the night off!!
21+ only with valid id
$10 in advance
$15 at the door (if available)
8pm doors
Black Castle
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Black Castle was formed in 2000 as a creative outlet for vocalist Elliot Martin. At the time, Martin was emerging as a songwriting force in the hard touring and critically acclaimed american roots reggae band John Brown’s Body. Although Martin was to gradually take over as frontman for that band starting in about 2006, and take it in a more progressive direction, he tended to save his most forward looking material for Black Castle. In putting together the lineup, Elliot’s first call was producer/drummer extraordinaire Matt Saccuccimorano, who then enlisted producer/bassist Brian Dozoretz. As a drum and bass team they have backed the likes of Johnny Dowd, Jennie Stearns, Uniit, and Mary Lorson. Then they brought in multi-instrumentalist Nate Silas Richardson (Sim Redmond Band, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, John Brown’s Body, Samite of Uganda) on guitar. This cast, plus many outstanding guests from the ever ebullient Ithaca music scene, created the eponymous CD release, BLACK CASTLE, released on I-Town records in the year 2002.
In 2011 the keyboard chair was filled by Jon Petronzio (Revision, John Brown’s Body, Road Man), and in 2013 Brian Wilson (Jamie Lidell, Johnny Dowd, Tzar) was added on second drumkit and electronics. 2017 saw the departure of Petronzio, and the
addition of Ray McNamara (Big Mean Sound Machine) on synths and Shikhar R. Bajracharya on second guitar.
With Black Castle, as with many “side projects”, there is an obvious and infectious exuberance, evidently created by cracking the mold of the artists’ main gigs and freeing up creative possibilities. Audiences are treated to a live set saturated with fresh ideas and unbridled energy. The result might sound like the London underground, or modern day Jamaica, or an American garage – but the source of Black Castle’s musical river is I-Town, or Ithaca, NY. Download their 2002 eponymous release at
blackcastle.bandcamp.com
Mosaic Foundation
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With a style as unique as its members are diverse, Mosaic Foundation is forward thinking reggae that stays true to the roots. Formed in 2008 and based in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the band has grown a loyal following, thanks to electric live performances and three studio releases. Blending roots, ska, dub, dance-hall and beyond, Mosaic is an exploration in reggae that is pushed to the limits and sometimes spills over. With lyrics that inspire dancing in the moment, and activate the mind in reflection, the songs encourage positivity, sustainable living and community.