The Digs Dance Party Set 2 @ Asheville Music Hall 2-25-2017
Watch 100 shows of The Digs, and you’ll never experience the same one twice. Songsmiths, Simon Thomas George and Ram Mandelkorn, push beyond what is comfortable to continuously take their music to new and higher grounds. There is no shortage of inspiration. A unique concoction of funk, soul, RnB and jazz, The Digs have been turning heads and gaining national attention over the past year from their home base of Asheville, North Carolina. With a rotating door of 3 seriously exceptional drummers, Claude Coleman (of Ween), Jaze Urias (The Broadcast) and Phill Bronson (formerly of Jonathan Scales Fourchestra), constant rejuvenation comes easy.
This year has been a big one for The Digs. They released their first full length album, which has been affectionately embraced with regular rotation by radio stations across WNC. This is something of an anomaly for a jazz/funk instrumental trio. Their self-titled debut colors the spaces between a rich array of influences, most notably, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield and Derek Trucks. Ram’s buttery guitar stylings are incredibly soulful, and his melodic sensibility plays a dynamic role in their immediate familiarity. Simon is something of a wizard on the keyboard. At 24, he has an striking handle on his instrument. He is both the bassist and keyboardist, grooving the left hand synth-bass while his right hand flies independently across the spectrum of his keyboard. They have had countless show dates near and far this year, most notably opening for The New Mastersounds at Isis Music Hall, and two tours to Caribbean paradise, The Virgin Islands.
Each drummer brings their distinct influence to the band: Claude has spent the last 15 years of his epic career drumming for rock fusion pioneers, Ween, and gives the perfect amount of raw edge to their sleek sound. Jaze has remarkably intricate tendencies on the kit, and possibly conjures the most jazzy flavors of The Digs. Phill lives way in the deep pocket, but is as versatile as he is soulful. All three drummers demonstrate remarkably high artistry with their individual sounds, making it about impossible to pick a favorite.
