Originally published at Rize Entertainment
SHWA LAYTART - AUGUST 2019
It was early 2014. A roller derby friend asked me out on a real date to go see a band that I also loved. It was our first date and the type of special date that you want to make sure you get the full experience. So we showed up early to see the band Diego's Umbrella.
That's when we discovered the opening band and they blew us away. And as ridiculous, as it sounds, they literally changed our lives.
Con Brio floated around the San Francisco Bay Area for a stint, but they had replaced their lead singer and resurfaced with a new sound and we caught a show just months after.
That night was just the beginning and we fell in love the following year. We then spent six months trying to get Con Brio to perform at our wedding. Lucky for us, we got Con Brio to play our wedding, however, we all signed a non-disclosure agreement so those stories will never be told.
As Earthlings, we should all be reminded of our inspiration and the collective consciousness we are all connected to. Con Brio pulls together every piece of the puzzle and produces a sound that’s tight and takes flight. The pilot Ziek McCarter is pure soul and a true American heartbeat that this country needs right now.
With a voice like Marvin Gaye and moves like James Brown, McCarter takes the audience along for the ride. Con Brio is the band that we've been missing, looking for, and dreaming of.
Feeding off McCarter's energy, Brendan Liu is the punk rock pogo-stick trumpet player who is just as much Flea as he is Louis Armstrong. The youngest member of the band, Liu is the pipeline to the excitement and reminds the audience it's okay to get your ass up and dance.
Probably the most dangerous member of the band and rumor has it he's a high ranking member of the UK's MI6 (SIS or Secret Intelligence Service). The acid jazz 007, if you will. Saxophone player Marcus Stephens is all the sexiness of the Commodores combined with the skills of Ornette Coleman. The man of mystery with a mission.
Gifted and twisted at a young age, if Mo-Town and SubPop had a baby, it would be Benjamin Andrews. An exquisite guitar player with the lyrical skills of Paul Westerberg of The Replacements and the angelic talent of Hendrix.
And when it comes to the beat and the heartthrob, George Clooney look-a-like Andrew Laubacher produces the positive pulse with a smile and thump that comes straight from his core.
However, they wouldn't make it out of the parking lot if it were not for the glue that holds this band together. His nickname even sounds solid- KIRCH. Not only does bassist Jonathan Kirchner provide each and every funky bass line that sets the dance floor on fire, but he also makes sure every band member gets on stage, and merchandise is handled. A gentle giant who is just as much a papa bear as he is a bass master of funk.
Last but far from least is our favorite newest addition to Con Brio, PATMAN! The Hebrew Herbie Hancock. Pat Monaco Glynn AKA Patman, is the sweet citrus to the Con Brio cocktail.
Refreshing, bright, light and zingy. He splashes over the keyboards like a meteor shower on a slip-n-slide.
Con Brio's third album Explorer is exceptional. But you need to see them live to feel the full effect of their sound. Voted the best live festival act in 2015-2017, Con Brio is an experience.
Much like our wedding, at the end of their shows, your life will be better than it was when you arrived. If there is any band you should see live, Con Brio is without a doubt the one. It will change your life too.
“New single release! For National Fair Housing Month Con Brio covered the Stevie Wonder timeless classic “Living for the City” and are donating the proceeds to Coalition on Homelessness Working to protect human rights is a collective effort, we hope to help in the ways we can.”
Listen To “Living for the City” by Con Brio
2019 TOUR DATES
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