The Hopscotch Music Festival coming to Raleigh Sept. 8-10 is the host of many talented musical acts locally and nationally renowned. Bands like The Flaming Lips, The Love Language, Japandroids and many more are scheduled to play on more than 12 venues across downtown Raleigh during this upcoming weekend of festivities.
One of many popular artists playing is Budos Band. Born, bred and fed in Staten Island, NY, this psychedelic/afro-beat/rock act is known for their intense live shows that get people moving on their feet.
“We definitely like to inspire a party,” Jared Tankel , the baritone saxophonist for the band, said, “so dancing is definitely a part of that.”
Currently made up of nine members, the group was already friends before the band was formed.
“A lot of the band grew up together out on Staten Island and had been playing in different groups together, in hip-hop bands and funk bands,” Tankel said. “And then about 9 years ago or so, we kind of wanted to give afro-beat a try. There was kind of a rhythm section at that point.”
The music scene in New York brought the group together easily.
“I met the guys at an open mic session,” Tankel said, “and helped them get a horn section together. Then it just took off from there. We were trying to incorporate different genres.”
This will be the group’s first time playing the Hopscotch Festival. They were excited to play after being invited, knowing Raleigh is well-populated with college students. This event will be no change to what they are used to, Tankel said, as their audience always changes depending on where they play shows.
“It really kind of varies depending on the city and everything,” Tankel said. “We have a pretty wide-based audience. We will appeal to college kids, but then we’ll also appeal to funk-45, like serious vinyl heads. We’ll get hip-hop guys who like it, and sometimes even metal heads will like it. I think it will be widespread since we’re going to a place with a decent college population.”
Most bands who are constantly on the road may treat every show the same since the lifestyle of a traveling musician becomes so routine. However, Tankel explained how this show was different than the recent festivals the band has played.
“We’re actually pretty psyched about this one,” Tankel said. “The line-up is awesome. There’s a ton of bands we’re excited about seeing. Sometimes we’ll play festivals that stick to a specific genre and that’s not as fun for us. But there’s a wide range of genres I’d go check out, which is cool.”
Tankel said he was pumped to hopefully see several bands specifically this weekend.
“We’re playing Saturday, but we’re trying to get there Friday to see Earth,” Tankel said. “Saturday, a bunch of guys are in Guided by Voices — I’d go check that out too.”
Budos Band will be the final act at the Pour House located on 224 South Blount Street, in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, Sept. 10. The band’s music, as well as other artists, information on tickets, the full line-up and schedule times can be found on the festival’s website, hopscotchmusicfest.com .
