Short Description
Brooklyn based multimedia indie music whirlwind incorporating original film and modern dance. Well constructed songs backed by sensory explosion and interaction.
A unique visual and auditory spectacle.
“Aural Cinematography is Dancing In Your Head”

 

“Aural Cinematography Is Dancing In Your Head”
Eclectic in every way, Brooklyn's Jigsaw Soul make music that draws on a wide array of influences, yet avoids the pitfall of sounding like an imitation act. Perhaps owing to the fact that the group is comprised of five songwriters who have long standing friendships and a commitment to the crafting of a good song, they are able to piece together seemingly disparate elements, delivering fascinating juxtapositions that maintain a respect for traditional song structure but are not held slave to it.

 Just as likely to reference modern composers like Phillip Glass and Ennio Morricone as jazz chanteuse Nina Simone or the psychedelic rock of Pink Floyd's "Ummagumma," the band also dabble with an assortment of ethnic folk music. Combining traditional rock instrumentation with other less explored sounds, theirs is a vividly imaginative world where tribal vocal chants dance with the propulsive squeals of a Theremin, Japanese Taiko drums are sampled and paired with vocal harmonies reminiscent of a medieval minstrel and ringing bells punctuate soaring guitar melodies. The music's feel is most often meditative but several songs increase in force, slowly adding layer upon layer of atmosphere that ultimately envelops and haunts the listener.
The lyrical themes in Jigsaw's songs explore from several writer's perspectives the roller-coaster ride that life in our modern world can often be, running the gamut from a lust for life and the joy of new experiences, to feelings of exhaustion and intense alienation. Never veering too far in either direction, balancing optimism with keen observation, these songs weave their stories of life's ebb and flow. Clever enough to realize that the music can be just as effective in the telling of the story as the words, Jigsaw Soul uses both elements to full effect and in a manner that is both organic and spiritual.

Jigsaw's eclecticism is intriguingly perpetuated in their live show, where modern dance and live video editing collide with the music to create an otherworldly spectacle of sound and vision.  As one fluid unit, all of the art forms play off of each other’s dynamics, the performers use a hybrid of choreography and improvisation to deliver an allegorical compliment to the words and music. Alternately bombastic and enchanting, Jigsaw Soul is a live experience you will never forget.

Current Activities

Jigsaw Soul will be releasing their second album entitled “Bound to Collide” in Feb of 2009

They have also just finished up a 30 person music video for Cockroach Hotel was released May 10th and has been receiving international attention
Finishing soundtrack and placements for HBO series.
Accepted with Cherry Lane licensing and placement

 

Shows

Having played many known NYC venues, the last three Jigsaw Soul shows has brought in 600 to 1000+ ppl

Some NYC venues
Galapagos, both Williamsburg and DUMBO
Many Loft, Warehouse and Rooftop parties
Studio A.I.R.
Luna Lounge
Supreme Trading
The Continental
Old CBGB’s
The Hook
Public Assembly
Deli Magazine showcase

 

Track-by-Track Breakdown

-> The albums first track, “Burn the Church of Reason,” is a slow burning, meditative affair that features beautiful chorale vocals and Asian percussion. It tells the story of someone who is experiencing the possible loss of a loved one. Having witnessed their deterioration and withdrawal into a place that is unreachable, the protagonist is still determined to hope and pray for their safe return.  The music is appropriately agonizing, gradually introducing new sounds and with each an unexpected glimmer of hope. Every last one arriving just before the journey has become unbearable and accumulating towards a powerful, inevitable, crescendo. =

-> The lushly arranged “Fake Five,” begins with a poignant and simple guitar arpeggio that lays the foundation for the intricate three part vocal harmonies and soaring guitar melodies that dominate the song. At its apex, bombastic drum fills and clanging bells give way to a stirring string arrangement. Lyrically, the song is focused on the various pitfalls and innumerable hypocrisies inherent in organized religion, while endorsing the sincerity and intensity of personal conviction that lies at the heart of true faith. =

-> On the song, “In No Time,” the listener experiences New York City through the eyes and ears of someone who is visiting for the first time. True to the city, the song is a blur of constant motion. It is a world where dizzying vocal harmonies, (think Brian Wilson channeling Nina Simone), collide with cascading cymbals and the increasing jackhammer of distant drums. Random sounds continually appear and disappear never to be heard from again. Captivating strands of melody make their way across the intersection barely dodging the oncoming traffic. Even the architecture is represented by a series of strange monolithic vocal stabs that distract you just long enough to make you forget where you. Suddenly, you are jolted back to reality by a blaring car horn and another pedestrian bumps into you nearly knocking you over before you make your way back below street level and board the train that carries you away into the night. =

-> Clocking in at twenty-five seconds, "White Crayons," is the albums most succinct track. It is meditative in nature and consists of layered synthesizer and a rather hypnotic vocal loop. =
-> Probably the best candidate for an album single, ”Radio Graveyard,” makes use of simple, straightforward songwriting and a stripped down arrangement, (vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, organ and hammered dulcimer), while bemoaning the onset of songs that are all style and no substance. =

-> Notably, "Passerby," is the only track on the album that was recorded live. The strange thing is that somehow it doesn't sound any different in quality than the other tracks. A mid-tempo number built around a steadily pulsing beat, the song swims in a warm sea of atmospheric guitar and bass textures. Call and response group vocals abound throughout and the song maintains an empathetic, uplifting feeling. Lyrically, the song is focused on the business of life in the big city and the vigilance required in the maintenance of meaningful personal relationships. =

-> Defiant in the face of despair, “Cockroach Hotel,” is a beautiful, ornately arranged anthem. Stirring choruses give way to expansive, cathartic lulls. Unwilling to be marginalized or anesthetized, unready to settle into a mind numbing existence of dull repetition, the song’s protagonist declares independence from the confines of a cold and calculating world. =

-> “Off The Phone,” begins with an up-tempo bass line and Latin American drum groove, which are further accented by a slinky guitar melody and soulful harmonies. Remaining playful, the songs chorus is predicated on call and response vocals that encourage the listener to put down whatever they're doing and get into the music. In the song’s mid section, one can almost picture a spaghetti western style gunfight taking place as the vocals begin to fade into the background and the far off sound of trumpets begin to swell with layer upon layer of propulsive intensity. Riding the wave of gathering tension, the song ends with a barrage of electric guitar melodies that form an immense wall of sound as it charges headlong into it's own dissipation. =

-> Although it is only a minute and thirty eight seconds long, "Nearer The Dome," still manages to make it's rather unique presence felt. Beginning with a brooding piano melody and subtle guitar harmonics, it gathers speed and gives way to the strident feel of the Viola De Gamba and ominous rhythmic vocal chants. =

-> "A Night In The Black Forest of Rain," utilizes unusual recording techniques to sculpt an expansive soundscape. The song was crafted by loudly playing previously recorded vocal harmonies through a car stereo while on a band camping trip. Several microphones were placed at different differences from the car and cabin, extending out further into the woods. As the vocals played, natural sounds (the campfire, the rain and the cicadas) and sounds made by the band members (a hand drum, more harmonies and a short wave radio) were recorded simultaneously. Trippy, dissonant and mellow are all words that could be used to describe the songs overall effect. =

-> Epic in nature and dynamic in execution, "Asleep in The Tower," tells the familiar tale of a government that has forgotten it exists to serve the people. Rife with corruption and all too willing to exploit the less fortunate for it's own gains, it’s negligence has positioned humanity under the looming threat of a truly dark age. Possessing a jazzy rhythmic sway and a haunting, mournful guitar melody, this song stakes it's claim by using sweeping instrumental flourishes and odd bits of texture in all the right places. From the wailing Theremin and guttural vocal stabs, to the pointillist guitar playing that can be heard in the final minute, nothing is left unsaid, no emotion left bottled. This is a band that wears it's heart on it's sleeve, proudly. =

 

Information on November  06’ Times Square Event

“Bound To Collide” - Project Summary
During the course of our one-month space grant in a Times Square store front/art gallery, Jigsaw Soul worked with several artists, animators, musicians, film makers and dance companies to create an atmosphere that encouraged the exchange of ideas and provided many opportunities for collaboration. Those involved in the project were able to work with each other in a setting that encouraged public interaction. Jigsaw Soul’s own dance troupe, as well as ten other modern dance companies performed pieces they had choreographed to the band’s music. Jigsaw Soul hosted two film festivals showcasing the work of local filmmakers, and exhibited the paintings and photographs of several up and coming New York artists, as well as throwing parties every weekend of the month. Keeping with the collaborative spirit of the event, the band also wrote and recorded an album in the space, allowing the public to view the creative process.
While we were recording the album, we had markers hanging from the window with signs encouraging those who passed by to write a sentence or paragraph about their “most interesting memory or life experience.” We then incorporated many of these stories in the song lyrics, using as much of the publicly written material as possible. During last three days of the recording, we invited several local musicians to take part in the project by laying down a track on the album.

 

Statistics

During the month of November Jigsaw Soul transformed a Times Square Storefront into a 24/7-multimedia art space located on 44th and Broadway, thanks to a space grant from Chashama. They curated 2 film festivals, 4 drunken parties, art exhibitions, modern dance performances, body painting performance art, recorded an entire collaborative album, & much more.

Number of Jigsaw Soul core collaborators	10
Estimated people who passed by and at least glanced at the name on the window	450,000- 650,000
Total estimated # of people that watched a performance for more than 2 minutes.	18,000- 21,0000 throughout month (based on estimates from each performance, people writing on windows, etc)
# of people that participated directly in an event (as a non-collaborator or non-bystander) including writing/painting on the windows, parties, film festivals, body painting, etc	800
Number of people Jigsaw Soul directly Collaborated with including dancers, artists, performers	75