OTD Exclusive: Rainbow Bright

Published Sep 22 2005, 03:32 PM by webteam

LISTEN: Rainbow Bright, "The Rollah" (mp3)

Rainbow Bright, aka Jay Flower and Mike Uzzi, met at the New England Conservatory back when they thought electronic music was crap. Years later, they're cutting one of the hottest techno tracks of the year. As part of the Unlocked Groove collective, they have been in the lab experimenting and trading ideas with other carbon based life forms. "The Rollah" is a deceptively simple cut that reveals its complexity on repeat listens. Chords shift slightly, like the sands under a receding tide, as synth pads bounce and pan from earlobe to earlobe. And that thick circular bassline opens like a flytrap -- then just when you feel safe in its wide blossom, it snaps shut.

Tonight Rainbow Bright puts on a special live performance in support of German techno superstar Isolee. As Uzzi explains, RB are "prepared to rock shit." Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased at http://www.squar3.com/. Opening is an extended set from one of Boston's best: DJ Caulder.

As for the track, "The Rollah" is one of four tracks on the upcoming Unlocked Groove 001 12" EP, due out October 25. It's the label release by the Appliance of Science label, named after their Friday residency at the local watering hole River Gods. Two more 12-inches will follow in early 2006.

There's no telling what will happen to the crew, but absolutely no one would be surprised if "The Rollah" showed up on a CD mix from overseas (implicit: the idea, which we're resigned to, that blowing up begins with recognition from outsiders), at which point you'll be telling everyone you knew them back when.

(DISCLOSURE: Today's guest post is from Square Productions DJ and Phoenix "Circuits" columnist David Day, who, technically, has a financial stake in tonight's Rainbow Bright show. This is what's known in strict journaleese as a "conflict of interest." Sorry. The thing's gonna sell out no matter what, which has nothing to do with this little item and everything to do with the headliner. Trust us, no one's getting rich off this shit. We just happen to really like the song, and since David is better at writing about this stuff than the rest of us, we asked him to weigh in on it. Go pooh-pooh if you want. There's nothing hinky going on, it's just a small fucking town, OK?)