From the beginning Uberphonics set out to create an experience that would absorb the listener by blending elements of Jam, Jazz, Funk, and Rock. After several improvised jam sessions the unit knew that they had something special, and since they have cultivated their sound into what has become become one of Nashville’s most innovative and electric musical acts. Where else in Nashville are you going to see a bass player tapping away on pedals, the drummer playing synth, and the guitar player playing both his guitar and a theremin at the same time.
The trio chose a combination of words that mean ” a superlative example of the science of sound, or vibrations.. Uberphonics is Matt Jaggers – Guitar and Theremin, Stephen Hopkins – Bass and Pedals, Griffin Criste – Drums and Synth. Priding themselves on live performances Uberphonics believes in the idea that every performance be unique and the audience can feed off the energy created by playing in the moment
Currently, Uberphonics is saturating Nashville and beyond with their soulful conversational blend of “psychedelic junk – jazz”.
The last time we heard from Uberphonics was five years ago when we interviewed them for MusicTree Festival 2013 in Manchester, Tennessee. Now we’re back with an updated interview promoting the band’s latest project.
Full Q&A along with links and streams below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
We are based out of Nashville TN. We make psychedelic vibrations, drawing on inspirations from our musical influences of Jam, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and Rock and blend them together to come up with the Uberphonics sound
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
What led us down this path as artists was this group lets us express ourselves through our collective improvisation and the ability to use the energy that is created to connect with the audience. It’s always great to have the outlet to express yourself artistically and with us there really are no boundaries on our creative expression.
How is the Apogee EP different from the What Do You Want To Do EP? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
We have really expanded our sonic palette with this EP by adding of synthesizer, which our drummer plays while he’s drumming, and I have been playing Theremin while I play the guitar (Matt Jaggers), and our bassist Stephen has an onslaught of unique effect pedals . All of these additions just furthers the cosmic journey that we can bring the listeners on.
Do you face challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? How has technology helped you (assuming it helps)?
It’s a double edged sword because on one hand there is a ton of great music being released and it may be harder to find an audience with the amount of music being released, but on the other its a great opportunity right now for independent artist to record and release music on their own and spread the word through social media and really gain a following of loyal fans in ways that have never been possible before.
Where can we connect with you online and discover more music?
We are on social media @uberphonics on Instagram, facebook.com/uberphonics , @uberphonics on twitter, and our website www.uberphonics.com
Anything else before we sign off?
We can’t wait to share the new Ep Apogee with everyone, it will be released soon and we have some surprises that we are really looking forward for people to hear. Our sound has really evolved and the band has never sounded better, so it was the perfect time to go back in the studio and capture what the band really sounds like and take the listeners on a trip of psychedelic sounds. Thanks!!
