Insider Sessions
Peace of Mind Orchestra
The Insider Sessions with Erika Iverson
The Insider Sessions are inspired by the emotion, power, and soul that go into one, simple song. The aim is to get closer and more personal to the music and the art. The acoustic sound, I believe, is perfect for this. It allows you to hear only instruments, only voice, no background fuzz, and nothing channeling the noise but our own ears. The artists will choose their own place to play, sometimes in a van, sometimes on a bus, sometimes simply in an alley way; either way each session is authentic and personal. So take a look at these artists, some are from Iowa, some just passing through, and as you'll sometimes find, just getting started. Listen and enjoy the sounds that erupt throughout our beautiful state.
~ Erika Iverson
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Bio
Peace of Mind Orchestra combines trippy, and sometimes ambient jams with enough New Orleans-style funk so that even someone not stoned can enjoy" (Al Kaufman, Atlanta music guide).
“Wow, I’ve never seen anybody do that before!” new fans tell the members of Peace of Mind Orchestra. The group has two members, but if you close your eyes and listen, your ears will be pleasantly surprised. And though at first glance, it is the acrobatic instrumentation that captures the audience's attention, underneath the eclectic visual spectacle lays a solid body of crafted compositions.
Peace of Mind Orchestra (aka “POMO”) is comprised of Ari Leopold and Matt Engel. The duo finished their first record, “Still Awake at Dawn, part one,” in the summer of 2009. The record has a funky, psychedelic, vintage feel, pillared by catchy choruses and captivating instrumental sections. With Matt and Ari recording various parts, each on several different instruments, it actually sounds like a 4-6 piece band.
In emulating this sound live, the duo avoids the ever-more-traditional approach of using loops and sequencers. Instead, Matt covers both bass and keyboard lines, using a Moog synthesizer bass, and a Nord Electro (known for its Hammond Organ and Rhodes Piano sounds). Ari developed a similar 2-at-once approach for drum kit and guitar, involving extra foot pedals for a snare drum, and the “beat guitar,” where he hits the strings with a drumstick.
POMO’s music takes adventurous journeys across the genre pool, ranging from ambient aural landscapes to tightly interlocked, musical mosaics, resolving into their own blend, hinting flavors of Pink Floyd, Motown and New Orleans funk.
The group is currently working on post-production for their upcoming “Still Awake at Dawn, part two.” To date, their touring has focused on the regions surrounding New Orleans and Northern California. However, with their upcoming 2009-10 schedule, they are pleased to be expanding toward a wider national fan base.
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Peace of Mind Orchestra is one of the most unique groups I've come across. A two-person band that plays as if they’re five! The drummer is the guitarist and a vocalist while the keyboardist plays several keyboards, sings, and throws in a melodica. They put on a lively show with poppy yet fresh sounding songs that fit their vibe perfectly. The band formed in a series of failures and scientific method usage. Ari (the guitarist/drummer) told me about the discoveries and accidents that brought the equipment they use now in to being; they use wire wrapped in duct tape to keep most of their set together! The show was at the Ames Progressive and we stayed late with Nate (the coordinator) to do the interview. We were not disappointed as they rigged up a quick semi-acoustic set up and played us a song from their up coming album! Thanks guys!
~ Erika
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Erika Iverson attends Iowa State University for Journalism and Philosophy. She is a music fanatic that moonlights as a writer for Insider Iowa. Some of her old favorites include Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bill Withers, The Who, The Doors, Buddy Guy, throw a little Cher in there (Half-breed!!!), Stevie Nicks, and a list that could be a story all it's own... When her heart plays music it plays bluegrass, when her soul plays music it plays the violin.
