eoto
“Show” is the wrong word when referring to a live performance by EOTO. Rather, “experience” seems to be a more fitting term; nothing short of a memorable, invigorating, one of a kind experience. Show doesn’t begin to describe the incessant dance frenzy and tastefully improvised infectious jams amid a sea of lively fans and neon lights. That was the scene on Wednesday night at The Otherside, where Missoula welcomed back EOTO, the enthralling and multifaceted undertaking of String Cheese Incident band members, Michael Travis and Jason Hann.
Former percussionist and drummer of the distinguished jam band, The String Cheese Incident, Travis and Hann comprise the creative spirit and impulsive undertaking that is EOTO. Travis hones his musical range controlling the tonal elements of the band on bass, guitar, keyboards, hand percussion, and live mixing. Hann lends his skill on the drum kit, percussion, and sampler. Their music exemplifies an incomparable and eclectic blend of entirely improvisational live break beat, dub -step, drum n bass, and house. Nothing is pre-recorded or pre-looped, and no set is pre-planned. The music is all created on the spot, recorded, and synthesized live to ensure a completely unique experience every time they take the stage. They combine cutting edge technology, instruments, and unsurpassed musical artistry to create a continually evolving musical experience.
Wednesday night was alive with non-stop movement and uncontrollable dance frenzies. Enzymes, a breakbeat and electronica group out of Missoula, and I.E., out of Minneapolis, started the evening out with some dynamic beats to warm up the crowd for what was sure to blow their minds later on in the night. The product was more than just incessant beats and overwhelming noise like some of the music that has tainted the edges of the jam band electronica music scene. Travis and Hann genuinely felt the energy of the crowd and the enthusiasm level was reflected in their evolving and layered groove. They possess an exceptional intensity and synergy together that makes for creating inimitable compilations. With the refined energy of live drums and instrumentation, the duo manipulated sounds and layered beats to produce dynamic vibrations and intoxicating jams. They encouraged an enthralled crowd to liberate any inhibitions and simply let loose. From sunglasses and beads to head-to-toe wild costumes, the crowd flaunted an amusing and straight up “anything goes” dress code that only heightened the excitement and exhilaration in the atmosphere. Neon lights and live painting transformed The Otherside to more of an art studio than a music hall. It exaggerated the creative and inventive theme that resonated throughout the night in the costumes, the artwork, and the music.
This wasn’t the first time that Missoula got a taste of EOTO. Travis and Hann have been stopping by since they first hit the road together in 2006. They seem to have as much fun playing their music in front of a lively crowd of Missoulians as the crowd does getting down to their melt-your-face creations. Maybe that’s why Travis and Hann return to Missoula so often and hopefully it will keep EOTO coming back for more.
