There’s more to the name than a great slant rhyme. The name of the Oakland based trio (two musicians and a belly dancing producer) perfectly describes the sounds Beats Antique create. If their name/rhyme was to be elaborated on, it would be Beats/Antique/Unique. They create antique worldly sounds with instruments, then tear them up with heavy electronic beats, flaunted by some dubstep. It’s really quite unique.
David Satori and Sidecar Tommy make the music on stage, while belly dancer/producer Zoe Jakes makes the magic and enchants the crowd with her body. The muse of Beats Antique, Jakes is credited with inspiring the “thematic Middle East tempo of the band.”
Beats Antique differs from other livetronica groups for their fusion of world music, gypsy music, hip-hop, dubset, and brass band. Accordions, horns, glockenspiel, and string quartets join the band on stage.
Beats Antique performed this past weekend at Liberate Music & Yoga Festival in Vermont. Their performance lasted until 4 am on a chilly Vermont summer night, but their set was impressive enough to pull even the most tired of hippies out of their tents to come up and dance for a few more hours. Jakes had injured her knee and was unable to perform with the group at Liberate, but despite lacking their belly dancer Beats Antique put on the most memorable performance of the festival. Toward the end of their performance they donned animal masks while they worked their instruments, simultaneously collaborating with the computer to create that mixed-mashed Beats Antique sound. The masks may have been overkill, but whatever, everyone likes a good animal mask at a music festival.
While Beats Antique may still be a new star on the horizon, they’ve gained recognition from some big names. Their collaborations include Les Claypool and Bassnectar, who remixed their track “Roustabout.”
Beats Antique is funky. It’s sexy. It’s original, and it’s damn good music. Turn on some Beats Antique, or better yet, leave your humble abode and catch them live. The belly dancer just isn’t the same through your computer. Check our their tour dates here.
Tags: Beats Antique
