As you may (or may not) know, Organik specializes in "custom-designed, multi-sensory events". Unfortunately, we don't always have an upcoming event on the horizon. So... since we also specialize in promoting, we thought we would utilize our homepage (during the "off-season") to SPOTLIGHT (if you will) an artist(s)...or band... a show... event... festival... business... organization... project (get the picture??) We're gonna SPOTLIGHT stuff that's really makin' us smile! Because we KNOW that we will not be able to promise an "Artist of the Week" or a "Feature of the Month" or an "ANYTHING of the Year" (which would be impossible cuz there's too many amazing people and projects every time we turn around). We've decided to make it as PRESENT as possible...an "at this very moment" type thing... So keep checking back!
ARTIST of the NOW
ARTIST: UNITY...the band
HOMETOWN: Appleton, Wisconsin
MUSIC: Roots/ Rock/ Reggae
What Makes 'Em Great?: Some of you are probably saying, "Wait a minute...hasn't UNITY been around for awhile?" The answer to that is "Yes!" So... why mention them now?
I had the distinct honor of being one of the founding members of UNITY back in December of 2002. We went through a lot of different changes and many different musicians. It took us awhile to be taken seriously. When we finally had the "right" mix, we took off and didn't look back. Many of you may be long-time UNITY fans. Some of you may have even been at the show we threw in the apartment above Appleton Imports. UNITY has come a long way since then.
In 2009, there were huge changes for UNITY: some of the members left to start their own project and/or pursue different endeavors. (myself included...and the decision was a heart-breaking one, to say the very least) If you're a musician, you know how stressful (and exciting) "change" within an established project can be. How do you move forward? Do you keep playing the same songs that people know and love? What's going to happen?
I went to see UNITY a couple of months after my departure. I went to see them again a few months later and then a few months after that. Each time I went to a UNITY show, I could see and hear them getting tighter and tighter....stronger and more confident. When I went to visit them this past weekend, I sat with eyes glued...smiling so hard that my cheeks started to hurt. "These guys are really, really amazing!", I said to myself. The 2 members that are still in UNITY (from the beginning) kept looking at me throughout their show, and I just kept smiling and shaking my head... I even got tears in my eyes, I will admit.
What makes 'em great, huh? Well, if you ARE a long-time UNITY fan & you have yet to see them since the "change"... you need to check them out! Now- don't expect to go to the show and hear all of the songs that we used to play. Don't expect it to be exactly the same just with different faces. Cuz' it's not. UNITY now is.... Well, it's like that long-awaited sequel to one of your favorite movies... You might go into it a little nervous and unsure of what to expect, but.... It's like "Return of the Jedi"....trust me. For people who aren't Star Wars geeks... UNITY is super sick! There are some old, familiar tunes... but they have recreated them. If you know anything about being a musician... you know that part of the thrill of playing music is getting to add your own personal flare to it. Well, UNITY has done that!
As a whole: UNITY puts on a show that is as fun to watch as it is to hear. They are electrifying and spirited, and they are also extremely talented. The KEYS guy is ridiculous... he can hold a skank, but dang! He plays a mean solo! And...his voice is one of the best I've heard in quite awhile. The drummer...super chill. He plays the roots nice n easy like they're meant to be, but dude can one-drop when he wants to. I can tell that he is the kind of drummer musicians love to play with... he's always got his eyes everywhere... keeping the song on track. Bass player...well, he once told me, "It's all about the hang..." And- I think of that everytime I watch him. He's just a pro. And... he whips out his stand-up from time-to-time...which is so rad! Lead Guitar and vocals... This guy has come SO far. I just can't even believe that it's the same person! UNITY is his first experience being a Lead Guitar and vocals dude.... When I saw him this weekend, he commanded that stage. He was confident and groovy, and there is NO doubt in my mind that he is exactly where he should be. Pita...Lead Vocals... I have always thought that he was the BEST front man I've ever seen, and... I still think that. He is SO in his element. And...he's got the acoustic guitar to play rhythm AND a steel drum. With that added piece....UNITY actually jams....yes! All you dead-heads would absolutely dig it, trust me! Chunk... Percussion (also an original member)... well, if you want to see someone who truly LOVES what he is doing... at the exact moment he is doing it... just watch him for 2 seconds. He plays from his soul, and it's absolutely awesome to be a part of!
Whether you have shared a long-time love affair, a fairly recent romance OR a hot and steamy one-nighter...with UNITY, I highly recommend checking out their new groove. If you have yet to experience the UNITY experience... you better tighten your belt cuz' you're in for one funky ride!
