Today's highlighted Madison musical act is del mar.
A roots rock quartet with nearly a decade of experience under its belt, del mar has taken its groove-based music throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. Starting with the basics of a jam band, the group emphasizes the diversity of its musical elements and influences as it produces its country-funk rock both on stage and on records.
Here's their full bio:
After officially getting started in 1997 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, del mar has transformed from an eight-piece college "jam" band to a four-piece progressive American roots outfit that has gained the attention of scenesters, critics and music enthusiasts throughout the Midwest. del mar chums vintage roots rock sounds of yesterday with timeless licks of tomorrow. They combine groove rock, alt-country, funk, electronica, and bluegrass into their feel-good sound. del mar has not forgotten about soulful songwriting and crafts original songs with harmonies that ring in your head and collective grooves that keep your feet moving. Originally known as el pollo del mar, the band trimmed the name and line-up in 2000 headed up to Madison. del mar has developed a growing fan base in both Madison and Milwaukee and has used it as a springboard to other major markets in the region. Recently they have shared the stage with acts such as Keller Williams, Jazz Mandoline Project, MOFRO, ekoostic hookah, John Browns Body, Strangefolk, Tea Leaf Green and many others.
In 2003, del mar released its debut album face to face, a twelve-track document of the band's project to fill in the vale between the indulgences of jam and the restraints of roots. Four of these songs can be listened to at delmarplaypen.com. They are: "Flight," "Ups & Downs," "West," and "White Trash Wedding."
There's much more online music available at the Internet Archive, however, as the band "encourages the taping and trading of their live shows for personal/non-commercial use only." Six of the band's live shows over 2004 and 2005 can befound here, including performances at Der Rathskeller, the Crystal Corner, and the Orton Park Festival. The dates, locations and set lists from these shows are available here.
The next chance to capture a del mar performance for posterity is on Friday, Nov. 18, when they'll be playing at the King Club along with Orange Ladder. Their subsequent show is set for Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Crystal Corner.
This is the latest featured entry from the Madison Music Project, an online database of Madison-area musicians. Please register or update your current profile on the project for consideration in these highlights.
