Courtesy of: cbdbband.wix.com
Proud Larry’s, the safe haven for new and upcoming musicians, is playing host to yet another unique group this Saturday. Whether you’re looking for a new band to obsess over or a band you can dance to, CBDB has you covered.
Alabama’s own CBDB is returning to Oxford at 9 p.m. Saturday to debut their newly released album, “Joyfunk is Dead,” at Proud Larry’s.
“Last time, we had a really good crowd,” said Cy Simonton, band guitarist and vocalist. “It was pretty wild. Might have been the only show we’ve ever had with a mosh pit.”
Not that anyone could blame the enthusiastic, music-loving crowd of Oxford. CBDB’s self-defined genre of Joyfunk isn’t the kind of music that one can listen to while staying stationary. A smooth combination of jazz, rock, funk, jam and fusion, CBDB’s music produces a beat that not just anyone can dance to, but one everyone wants to dance to. Simonton said the band enjoys playing anything that puts out a good energy and gets the crowd amped.
“We’re really excited to play new stuff, but it is always fun to play ‘Slow Foxes,’” Simonton said.
Many might recognize “Slow Foxes,” which reached 22 thousand plays on the music app, Spotify, as the band’s biggest hit.
Simonton hinted that “Pschabango,” a song off of their new album may be the band’s next big hit, although, for the group, it isn’t so much about making it big as much as it is having a good time, playing music and getting people excited to hear them play. Simonton said the band tries to play songs that will establish a strong connection with their audience.
“It’s important to create more of a personal relationship with the crowd,” Simonton said. “It creates a better atmosphere.”
With the help of David Ray, who joined the band in the November of 2013 as a bass player and vocalist, CBDB has taken on a slightly different direction than their first album in November of 2012, “phone.keys.wallet.,” which featured a more melodic-pop kind of sound. The title of their new album is a sort of tongue-in-cheek way for CBDB to announce they are trying something a little different from their purely Joyfunk debut.
“‘phone.keys.wallet.’ was missing a little bit of rock edge,” Ray said. “In ‘Joyfunk is Dead,’ we wanted to write songs that were just a little bit heavier, more progressive.”
After spending around half a year working on their new album and spending more time in the studio with higher end equipment, CBDB is pleased to release what they call a more progressive album with a good vibe. The band said they really tried to push themselves while working on their new album to create music they feel is more detailed, with stronger lyrics, a sharper sound and an even more distinct style.
“We all have pretty different tastes in music. There is no secret formula as to how we work well together,” Simonton said. “We just all kind of collaborate.”
In more ways than one, CBDB is a great example of modern Southern sound. Though they can’t exactly categorize themselves into the country music genre, they don’t need to nor should they. Instead, they carry on the tradition of meaningful, memorable lyrics incorporated into songs that have the strength to stand alone but work flawlessly together on an album. It’s unlikely anyone at Proud Larry’s Saturday night will be standing still while CBDB is on stage.
Some Ole Miss students may recognize CBDB from their performance at the Sigma Nu fraternity spring party, Woodstock, in 2013. Anyone who missed their gig two years ago will have another chance to dance along to CBDB this year at Woodstock as well.
But for those who can’t wait any longer, head to Proud Larry’s tomorrow night for what promises to be a great time. Doors open at 8 p.m., tickets are $5 in advance or $8 at the door. Their new album will be available to purchase at the show before it is made available online.
“We’re just so stoked to be coming to Oxford,” said Kris Gottlieb, guitar and vocals. “We definitely always get a good crowd.”
