Zeitgeist's 5th Annual New Music Cabaret features an eclectic variety of new music from the top musicians in the Twin Cities, including Red Planet, a group that prides itself on playing music from inner-stellar and inter-stellar space with an emphasis on re-interpreting familiar melodies and unearthed gems.
We spoke with Red Planet guitarist Dean Magraw to look back on the group's history and influences.
How did the musicians of Red Planet get together?
Red Planet is the brainchild of Jay Epstein. He brought us together and an organism emerged which transcended the sum of its parts. The name "Red Planet" was taken from a John Coltrane composition, which is also called "Miles Mode."
What can we look forward to hearing at your New Music Cabaret performance?
Red Planet is a living, breathing evolution of sound and interplay. If recent trends continue, an audience can look forward to lyrical melodies, churning rhythmic momentum, some original compositions, and endless happy accidents in developing improvisation.
What are some of the group’s biggest influences?
Red Planet is somewhat known for doing whole sets and even whole concerts of compositions by John Coltrane and/or Thelonius Monk. We are also heavily influenced by the music of the 1960's... particularly Jimi Hendrix. Having said that, it is clear that our biggest influence is the shared music that arises when we play together; this comes from our various experiences and backgrounds.
What can you tell us about the collaborative nature of this ensemble?
Once upon a time called: Right Now ! Mystery + History . Impulse power to infinity...
Anything else you would like to add?
We look forward to this opportunity to light up the sound in this context. We look forward to playing together. We look forward to experiencing this with the audience fully included.
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