After Funk

Toronto based collective After Funk will be kicking off their spring and summer tour Saturday, April 18 at APK Live in London, Ontario. The power-funk quartet has a definitive sound with enormous texture. They’re a tight-grooving rhythm section that has an even mix syncopated instrumentals and soulful lyrical tracks.

Since their inception in 2011, After Funk has exploded into the music industry which has earned them opening spots for some heavy-hitters in the festival scene including; Lettuce, Snarky Puppy, Dumpstaphunk, Kung Fu and The Nth Power. After Funk was selected as Electric Forest’s Instrumental Forester for 2014 where they were featured alongside groups like The String Cheese Incident, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Zeds Dead, Flying Lotus Stephen Marley and more.



Drummer Jaime Rosenberg felt “After Funk’s origins can be traced back to 2009 when bassist Justin Bontje and I were paired up as roommates at the University of Western Ontario.” Shortly thereafter, the jamming duo hooked up with keyboard and vocalist Yanick Allwood, signed up for two local battle of the bands, “and after only two weeks of playing together we won them both,” stated Rosenberg.

“After a few months, we released a demo entitled "Soul'd" and began playing regional shows...then we added a horn section, percussion and a second guitarist (Phil Tessis). Currently, the band consists of Allwood, Rosenberg, Bontje and Tessis and are frequently joined by a horn section.

With a definitive sound, the post-funk-fusion group released their self titled debut EP in January 2014, mixed and mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive. The seven-track release, including a laidback intro with a jam-band feel, is energetic and filled with percussive textures from congas to up-tempo cowbell syncopation. The second track (after the into) “The Fugitive” is explosive and soulful. In contrast, the coming tracks, such as “Busted” and “Tequlis” are centered around a recurring riff and tight rhythm. Reminiscent of the Head Hunters, “Busted” is infectious with screaming keyboard-lines and a crisp snare drum supporting ‘2 and 4’. Hear it for yourself and download it for free on After Funk’s website!

Wait, Free? “Yes, Free,” said Rosenberg. “It’s similar to what Pretty Lights talks about - You don’t make money off of albums anymore.” In the mold of a digital age we are faced the the harsh reality of ‘if you don't give it away, your fans will get it somewhere else.’ Rosenberg feels it is worth the risk because “if you can get people out to your shows it goes a lot further than the money you would make off of the album. We have an option for people to donate when downloading our album, and, in some cases, people have given upwards of 25 dollars for that one record,” said Rosenberg.

When it comes to being a successful post-fusion band, “First and foremost, music is the key ingredient and in the music we play, funk is the common denominator. We work really hard, but you also need to be persistent,” said Rosenberg.

Christopher Tory of Live Nation said about the band, "I first booked After Funk after they came highly recommended via the agent of a renowned internationally touring funk act. They blew me away live. Their thundering, original style features distinct, contemporary flavours mixed with all the necessary tried-and-true elements of classic funk, for an overall sound that grooves hard and moves audiences. These young virtuosos have a deep pocket and tremendous chops typically only exuded by bands twice their age. They are a kind, sensible and professional group of individuals to work with. A wonderful band in all respects."

Overall, After Funk is excited to be back on the road and be exposed to new music in The States. Tessis felt “the US in general has a much stronger funk/jam scene, so coming to The States is always great. We do well in Canada and have amazing fans who are very supportive but it's a lot different. The crowd reaction is usually the same in both countries, but what differs is the overall amount people who support live music. Toronto is coming around though.”

Ironically, the band’s biggest obstacle is getting over the border, in a van filled with gear and supplies for the road ahead. Touring internationally for After Funk is a true test to their love of music and fans. There is a great deal of planning that goes into each tour and when traveling out of Canada each band-member is required to apply for a working visa, according to Rosenberg.

Tour dates include:

April 18th – APK Live – London, ON
April 23rd – The Rivoli – Toronto, ON
April 24th – The Brig – Port Dover, ON
April 25th – The Casbah – Hamilton, ON
April 30th – Rock n Roll Resort – Kerhonkson, NY
May 2nd – The Toucan – Kingston, ON
May 6th – Nectars – Burlington, VT
May 7th – TBA – Hartford, CT
May 8th – Wonderbar – Boston, MA
May 9th – The Spot – Providence, RI
May 13 – Scarlet and Grey – Columbus, OH
May 14th – The Thunderbird Café – Pittsburgh, PA * w/ Turbo Suit
May 15th – ColorDance Music Festival – Stewart, OH
May 16th – Paddy Flaherty’s – Sarnia, ON
May 17th – Come Together Festival – Durham, ON
May 21st – Iron Works – Buffalo, NY w/ Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band
May 22nd – The Cage – Toronto, ON
May 23rd – The Corktown Pub – Hamilton, ON
May 27th – The Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY w/ Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band
May 28th – Funk ‘n Waffles – Syracuse, NY
May 29th – The Kings Rook – Erie, PA
June 19th – Harry’s Hoe-Down – Starks, ME
June 20th – Buffalove Music Festival – Silver Creek, NY
July 3rd – Willy Fest Music & Arts Gathering – College Corner, OH
July 4th – Farm on Fire Music & Arts Festival – Kirkersvile ,OH
July 30th – OpenMind Festival – Grenville, QC
July 31st – OpenMind Festival – Grenville, QC

More with guitarist Phil Tessis:

L4LM: What is it like establishing yourself as a Canadian Funk Band?

PT: I feel like it might have been easier for us as Canadians to break into the scene in the US. This doesn't so much have to do with where we're from but more so that we waited to tour the states until a few years into the bands career. We had our incubation period playing mostly in Southern Ontario, so we really tightened up as a band before we started playing shows and festivals in the states. Breaking into the scene was definitely easier because audiences skipped the bands infancy and are seeing us already developed.

L4LM: You have opened for groups like Lettuce, Snarky Puppy and Dumpstaphunk - What is it like to play with these bands? Are there any memorable experiences while playing with these groups?

PT: There are too many memorable experiences. I've been listening to a few of these bands for years now. I've been going to see Snarky Puppy in Toronto since they first started coming here and playing at a jazz club called the Rex, so getting to open for those guys was great. Aside from the music the most memorable experiences were getting to hang with some of my musical inspirations. I've been listening and learning from Eric Krasno's playing since I discovered Soulive when I was 15. So getting to shoot the shit with him and pick his brains after listening to this guy play for 10 years was a huge inspiration.

L4LM: What are five ‘must haves’ while on the road?

PT: Water bottles, tent/sleeping bag/pillow, iPod, sunscreen and toll money. - Live For Live Music

By JEREMY D. BONFIGLIO - Sight & Sound Editor | 0 comments
BENTON HARBOR - Drummer Jaime Rosenberg credits a questionnaire he took as an incoming freshman at the University of Western Ontario as the genesis of his post-fusion soul/funk outfit After Funk.
"That's how I met (bassist) Justin (Bontje)," Rosenberg says by phone from Toronto. "I was paired up with him through a roommate interest survey, and we immediately started jamming. ... Let's just say it wasn't your typical dorm room."
Shortly thereafter, the jamming duo hooked up with keyboardist and vocalist Yanick Allwood at a coffee house, grabbed a guitar player to fill out their sound and after just two weeks signed up for two local battle of the bands.
"It was more of a chance to just get out and play in front of people," Rosenberg says. "But surprisingly we won both of them. Everyone was asking us about recordings, so we put out a little demo and started touring regionally."
Since that official March 2011 inception, After Funk has added a more permanent guitar player, Phil Tessis, and are frequently joined by a horn section and other collaborators.
Their self-titled debut EP, released in January 2014, was mixed and mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive, and the band is finishing its sophomore effort, "Til The Sun Comes Up," due Oct. 16.
On Friday, however, they will cross the border into Michigan to open the weekend-long festivities as The Livery marks its 10th anniversary.
"This will actually be our first time playing there, but we're looking forward to it," Rosenberg says. "We've been cycling in some of the new tunes with the tried and true stuff that we have fun playing. With newer audiences sometimes we play a few fun covers. We have a couple of medleys that are 15 minutes long that run through popular songs everybody knows. I'm sure at least one of those will come up."
The power-funk quartet has built a reputation for both its tight-grooving rhythm section and mixing syncopated instrumentals with soulful lyrical tracks.
Last year's debut EP, which is available to download for free on the band's website, features seven tracks opening with a jam-band style intro before launching into the soul-filled song, "The Fugitive." Other tracks, such as the instrumental "Busted," showcases the recurring riffs and tight rhythms expected from a funk outfit.
The biggest change in After Funk since that recording is that the reality of touring with a horn section has set in. While the band's core remains intact, the horns have played a lesser role in both live shows and in the studio.
"At one point we made it up to an eight-piece, but as people got busier, priorities shifted," Rosenberg says. "It's a huge commitment to be in a touring band, and not everyone is able to do it. Of course it makes it easier logistically, financially and really in every way to tour as a smaller group. But not having the horns and just kind of being this core group of us has also forced us to tighten things up musically in a way I don't think we would have done otherwise. It's allowed the band to become more solid. The vibe in general is better now because everyone's heart is fully in it. This is what we all want to be doing."
In recording sessions for the new album, Rosenberg adds, the band also has been more focussed on songwriting than on making sure everyone gets in their solos.
"It's not that there won't be any solos," he says. "We still like that stuff, but we save the jamming for the live shows."
The album's first track, which also will be the single, is called "Elephant Walk." A video performance of the song won Electric Forest's 2014 Instrumental Forester Competition, and the band played two sets at the festival where they were featured alongside The String Cheese Incident, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Flying Lotus, Stephen Marley and more.
Rosenberg, however, says his favorite track off the new record is a number called "Zombie Dance Apocalypse."
"It reminds me of Parliament and Funkadelic a little bit," he says. "There's a lot of crazy lyrical content. It's a little out there, but it's just a lot of fun, especially when we play it live."
Although the band has been causing a ruckus on the Ontario music scene for a few years now, it has recently been touring more in the U.S., where funk music has a much larger following.
"It also seems easier to tour in the U.S. because there's so many more markets you can play within a short drive, and so many more festivals," Rosenberg says. "We will still tour Canada. We just did a swing through Eastern Canada and it was one of the best runs we've had all summer, but we will definitely be touring more and more in the U.S. People there seem to be into what we are doing."
Contact: jbonfiglio@TheHP.com, 932-0364, Twitter: @HPBonfiglio
If you go
What: The Livery 10th Anniversary Celebration featuring After Funk
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Livery, 190 Fifth St., Benton Harbor
How much: $7 in advance, $10 at the door
Contact: 925-8760 or www.liverybrew.com
Artist info: www.afterfunk.ca
Weekend festivities
Here's what else is on tap for this weekend's celebration:
All day party: The Livery 10th Anniversary Party takes place from 11:30 a.m.-midnight Saturday. DJ Danny Boy plays from noon-4 p.m. followed by The Sypian Family Band from 5-7 p.m. and Slim Gypsy Baggage at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.
Bottle releases: Starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, The Livery will have bottle releases of its Bourbon Barrel Aged Trippel Weizenbock; Maillot Jaune; Old Man Mason; Verchuosity; Slow Peach; Cherry Friek; Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 600; Bourbon Barrel Aged Liverator; Bourbon Barrel Aged Sojourner; Bourbon Barrel Aged Umami; and 10th Anniversary Ale.
On tap: The 10th Anniversary Ale also will be on tap all weekend. The scheduled tap list also includes Verchuosity; Maillot Rouge; Bourbon Barrel Aged Trippel Weizenbock; Bourbon Barrel Aged Steel Wheels with Coffee; Throwback McGilligans; Double Paw; Citra SMaSH; and McGilligans with Grapefruit.
Sunday night jazz: The Andrew Fisher Quartet will close out the celebration with a free concert at 7 p.m. Sunday. - Herald Palladium

OCTOBER 16, 2015 • NO COMMENTS •FRECCERO FEATURE FRIDAYS
Freccero Feature Fridays: Every Friday I feature a track that really jumped out at me, new or old. I listen to a lot of different types of music, and I love showcasing songs that people might not have heard otherwise. Enjoy!

Song: Catching Sunrise (Toe Up) feat. Choclair
Artist: After Funk
Genre: Jazz/Funk
Link: Bandcamp

YES YES YES.

That was my first thought when After Funk, an incredible funk band from Toronto, released their newest album ‘Til The Sun Comes Up (which was actually released today!).

I originally met After Funk at Electric Forest in 2014 – I walked by the Observatory stage, and thought: Damn. These guys are killing it.

After Funk not only puts on an incredible performance, but their music is insane. They perfectly blend the catchy rhythms of jazz with funky and soulful riffs, intertwining numerous styles into every track they have. For this album, it was tough to pick my exact favorite, but I had to go with Catching Sunrise (Toe Up).

This track is a bit more chill than the rest of their songs on the album, but it has an extremely catchy soulful groove with encapsulating lyrics. It quickly starts off with the perfect melody, quickly demonstrating why After Funk is blowing up in the funk scene right now. As the track progresses, numerous instruments are brought in and out methodically, highlighting different aspects of the song.

I really love this track as it really demonstrates After Funk’s versatility – although it’s 5 minutes long, the song moves through numerous stages, bringing you on an entire soulful experience. Even at the bridge, they featured the famous Canadian rapper Choclair, adding even more uniqueness to their sound.

Listen to this awesome track below, and check out their new album here: ‘Til The Sun Comes Up. - Marc Freccero

Interview – After Funk

October 5, 2015 Nicole Wolfe
Interview By: Nicole Wolfe
Photo Credit: Pascal Zois, Blue Phoenix Productions

The Toronto based progressive funk/soul group, After Funk, is currently on tour to promote the release of their sophomore album, Til the Sun Comes Up , in October 2015. Their unique and contemporary styling have garnered them respect on the Canadian music scene. After Funk consists of Yanick Allwood (keyboards & vocals), Jaime Rosenberg (drums), Justin Bontje (bass) and Phil Tessis (guitar). They have already had the opportunity to share the stage with such acts as Lettuce, Snarky Puppy and Walk Off the Earth. I had the chance to catch up with After Funk to ask them a few questions, including a few about their upcoming album.

Describe your song writing process.



Yanick does the bulk of the writing although Phil contributes some songs as well. Typically, an idea will be brought to the band, some are more complete than others, and we will jam them out to see where they should go.

Has it changed during the creation of your sophomore album compared to when you created your first album?

The process was more or less the same, but more songs were collaborative and figured out as a band.

What artists do you draw inspiration from when creating your music?

We draw inspiration from so many different places when creating the music which definitely contributes to the uniqueness of the sound. More obvious influences would include acts like Lettuce, D’Angelo, Snarky Puppy, Stevie Wonder and James Brown but even composers like Tchaikovsky have played a part, especially in composition.

You are participating in a crowd funding campaign. Tell Canadian Beats fans a little bit about this and how they can help to support you.

We are trying to raise some money to help us with some of the costs associated with our new album. Although we were able to pay for the recording time and studio musicians, we still need to cover the cost of manufacturing CDs and ideally vinyl, mixing, mastering, artwork, PR and promo surrounding the album and tour and more. We are offering a variety of incentives through Indiegogo. You can preorder the new album and there are a bunch of merch packages. We are also offering a private show, cover of your choice or you could even get your name in the liner notes or be credited as the executive producer,
More info here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/newafterfunkalbumtilthesuncomesup/x/12047273

Do you have any plans to release any videos with your upcoming album, Til the Sun Comes Up?

Yes! We actually just released the video for “Elephant Walk” last week. The video was tons of fun to shoot and we are all really excited about it! The basic premise is bigger guy meets a girl at a pool party and then throws a lavish dinner party to impress her using his dance, the Elephant Walk. We have one more already filmed and are planning to release it very soon and have plans to shoot at least one or two more.
Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI5fdaz4jZM

What are your plans after the release of your upcoming album?

We want to really push the album and get it out there so we will be pretty busy on the road touring in support of it until around Christmas time. We will be all over the East Coast of both Canada and the US and in the Midwestern United States. There are too many to go into full detail about but the shows I am most excited about on this tour are the CD release parties, NY Harvest Fest and Halloween at Java Barn at SLU in Canton, NY. We are also going to be in the Maritimes for a little bit in November, which is quickly becoming one of our favourite places to play. Full tour details are available on our website also. We also have plans to hit the studio pretty soon to start working on another release (October 15 th to be exact). This is a 5 piece suite that we have kind of been keeping on the back burner for a couple years but we feel now is a great time to record it. More details on that will be out after the release of Til The Sun Comes Up.

What was the last concert you attended as fans?

We try and check out music as much as possible. I saw a great local funk band called LMT Connection last week on Wednesday.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’m curious what is your favourite type of pie?

Pumpkin Pie served cold. 2:1 whipped cream to pie ratio. A fall classic!

Your thoughts on pumpkin spice? Is it worth the hype?

It is definitely worth the hype. Our bass player is a master brewer and plans to brew a pumpkin beer this season with a pumpkin from a local farm (Dyments) in Dundas, ON.

Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

Enjoy this music that we have created through our last year’s experience touring across Canada and the US. We have acquired countless interactions with many different types of people in many different places, trying to unwind what it is that makes each place feel the way that it does. At least we have an idea of people from those places that enjoy good lively funk. We feel a connection to all of the places and people we have met along the way and this album is a way to throw that love back to you, the fans. We appreciate you taking the time to listen and support us because it is truly our passion. To spread dat FONK!

In twenty words or less, describe After Funk.

Putting the fun in funk.

Connect with After Funk:
Website: www.afterfunk.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afterfunk
Instagram: https://instagram.com/afterfunk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/afterfunk
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/afterfunk
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAfterfunk

Upcoming Tour Dates for After Funk’s Album Release Party:
Oct. 8 Church Boston, MA
Oct. 16 The Adelaide Hall Toronto, ON
Oct. 17 The Corktown Pub Hamilton, ON
Oct. 22 Thunderbird Cafe Pittsburgh, PA
Oct. 23 The Kings Rook Erie, PA - Canadian Beats

Hailing from Toronto, After Funk have crossed the border to bring us Americans their groovy, crowd-pleasing funk (select tour dates with Kung Fu & The Main Squeeze)! Entering their fourth year as a group, Yanick Allwood (keyboards, vocals), Phil Tessis (guitar), Justin Bontje (bass), Jaime Rosenberg (drums), Andrew Racknor(saxophone), Jacob Gorzhaltsan (saxophone) are quickly rising and have shared the stage with groups like Lettuce, Snarky Puppy, Dumpstaphunk, Kung Fu and Walk off the Earth. Their list of influences is diverse and includes: Lettuce, The String Cheese Incident, Stevie Wonder, Snarky Puppy, Tchaikovsky, James Brown, and Tye Tribbit.

After Funk
I stumbled upon After Funk on Twitter about a year back, and from the moment I saw a video of one of their live shows, I knew I had to see them for myself. A few months later, they popped up in the running for the Instrumental Forester contest at Electric Forest 2014, and as suspected, they won. Walking through the forest, my friends and I were processing the amazingly satisfying set STS9 had just brought to Sherwood Court. Just as I mentioned how sad I was that I had accidentally missed After Funk’s set earlier that day, we heard funky tunes coming from the Sallon,which instantly drew us funk fiends like moths to a flame. After Funk was throwing down – a full band and amazing singer emanating high energy and electrifying the crowd. Mixing contemporary sounds with elements of classic funk, no audience is immune to their grooves. Needless to say, it was a full-on groovin’ dance party.

After Funk shows no signs of slowing down in 2015, with plans to release new live and studio recordings while keeping up with their relentless touring efforts. Their winter tour schedule is shaping up to be quite busy, including dates supporting high profile acts both locally and in the Midwestern United States. Peek their tour dates below. - Sensible Reason

Whether it’s headlining a show or opening a gig for one of their musical inspirations, Ontario-based funk and soul outfit After Funk is one of the hottest bands of the moment.

Their groovy, soulful sound, mixed with jazz and rock influences, have kept sell-out crowds dancing in Toronto clubs such as the Phoenix and the El Mocambo through the winter.

After Funk’s shows are filled with retro and modern sounds. Among the group’s eight members are a couple of young Jews with grooves: drummer Jaime Rosenberg and Phil Tessis, one of the band’s two guitarists.

Rosenberg, 22, is one of the band’s four founding members. With his Western University roommate Justin Bontje, a bass player, the duo set up a laid-back space in their dorm to play music. At school, the friends met keyboard player and vocalist Yanick Allwood and guitarist Bradley McBurney. The four quickly bonded over a love of funk and soul.

“We decided to sign up for a couple Battle of the Bands [contests], and we ended up winning them both,” Rosenberg tells The CJN.

The foursome decided to make their sound even bigger. By the end of 2012, After Funk had doubled in size and increased its volume. Four more members, including Tessis, now 25, joined.

Rosenberg got interested in funk music in high school and was a big fan of the bands Soulive and Lettuce. Since After Funk launched, the Toronto musician has become friends with members of both groups.

Alan Evans, Soulive’s drummer, mixed and mastered After Funk’s self-titled album, which debuted in January. Meanwhile, the group opened for Lettuce at a February gig in Toronto.

“[With Lettuce], we played the Phoenix, which is a big place. That was the biggest crowd we’ve ever played for,” Rosenberg says.

But jamming with some of his musical heroes couldn’t match the electricity Rosenberg says he felt at a gig in the summer of 2013. On that July night, After Funk was booked to headline an after-party performance in Toronto to follow a Phish concert.

However, Phish cancelled its show in the wake of a big storm. As a result, some miserable fans flocked to After Funk’s concert at the Great Hall instead, giving the rising collective the chance to save a dour night.

“Everybody was kind of bummed out and upset about Phish being cancelled and was in a bad mood,” Rosenberg says. “Everybody who was [at the after-party] had a great time and wasn’t thinking about Phish anymore. It kind of made them forget.”

After Funk also played shows in 2013 alongside high-profile groups such as jazz-funk fusion band Snarky Puppy, which won a Grammy for best R&B performance earlier this year. The group also opened for hot New Orleans collective Dumpstaphunk and the Juno-nominated groups Walk Off the Earth and Five Alarm Funk.

“If we just keep opening for bands that I like to listen to, I’m happy,” Tessis says, laughing. “It’s inspiring to get to play shows with them. They’re all really down-to-earth people.”

Tessis joined After Funk in July 2012. At the guitarist’s first gig, Allwood’s keyboard malfunctioned and was out for the entire show. This could have been a challenge for Tessis, since he had only learned the songs the day before.

“I was responsible for covering all of the chords and stuff… [But] it was a fun first-gig experience,” he says.

Although Tessis is a newer addition to the group, he wrote the music for the two instrumental songs on the band’s groovy, seven-track EP. Allwood does the majority of After Funk’s songwriting.

All eight members of the band have a music education, either from Western University, the University of Toronto or Humber College. Rosenberg currently studies music at Humber, in a program that Tessis graduated from in 2010.

After Funk’s music has complex composition, but is easy to dance to. Infused with soul, synthesizer and a big, blasting horn section, their unique sound is bound to catch on beyond Canada’s borders.

“We play funk, but we put so much else into it that it doesn’t end up coming out as just funk anymore,” Tessis says. “You get a bit of everything.”

The group is gaining popularity locally, but they also have their sights set on down south. Rosenberg says the group is trying to find more chances to perform in the United States.

Other members of After Funk have roots in London, Ont., Hamilton and Toronto, and the group often performs in and around the Golden Horseshoe.

They will head east for their next show, at L’Escalier in Montreal on March 21, and they’ll be playing the Merchant Tap House in Kingston the following night. The weekend marks the band’s three-year anniversary of their first performance.

Rosenberg says he credits After Funk’s quick ascent on the local music scene to the band’s chemistry.

“Everyone’s really close and gets along,” he says. “That translates when we’re on stage. The crowd picks up on that vibe. We’re always striving to be as good as we can be and get the band sounding better.”

- See more at: http://www.cjnews.com/heebonics/after-funk-enjoys-quick-ascent-music-scene#sthash.2DtSRPyL.dpuf - Canadian Jewish news

Toronto based progressive funk and soul band After Funk returns to Buffalo on Saturday, December 6 only one month since their last visit. After Funk played a very highly receptive show on Saturday, November 1 at Buffalo Iron Works with Buffalo’s own Funktional Flow during the Nightmare on Funk Street Halloween run.

The Canadian group has been working through the States on their current winter tour and starting to really make a name for themselves throughout the United States. The five piece was formed in 2011 and is composed of five very talented musicians and play very tightly with each other. Yanick Allwood, the groups lead singer and keys player has such soul and conviction when playing and even at times straps on the keytar, which might be the coolest and funkiest instrument on stage. Jaime Rosenberg (drums) keeps everyone on pace and is very solid at keeping the different parts in me and has been very crucial to the success of the band. Justin Bontje (bass), Phil Tessis (guitar) and Andrew Racknor (sax) round out the group and at any moment can take over the spotlight and jam with the best of them.

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The show will take place on Saturday, December 6 at the very well-known Nietzche’s in the historic Allentown area of Buffalo. So many great bands have come through the doors and continues to be a place that has some of the best shows to date. Opening the show will be ABTrio, which is led by a very good jazz influenced guitarist in Adam Bornstein, who is very well-known in the Buffalo music scenes with his work with his side project Gravy, guitarist for Universe Shark and his relationship with Funktional Flow. The Goods will also special guest, hailing from just down the thruway from Fredonia, NY. The Trio is said to bring the groove funk and you will want to make sure you show up nice and early to catch them and ABTrio. - Upstate Live

I’m sure some of you audiophiles are feeling tired, stressed, in a rut, or like you just need a bit of a boost. Every now after funkand then I have one of those days where I feel exhausted and frustrated, and in these situations I always turn my attention to my favourite medium. There is music in this world that exists for the sole purpose of getting you on your feet. Some bands just know exactly what you need to get out of a funk. Ironically, funk is often a key ingredient. Mix in some serious groove, a little soul, some wah-laced guitar and phased synths, and please do not forget a big, booming horn section. A few weeks back a Toronto outfit came onto the scene with an EP that has all of those extra special ingredients for our joyous stew. Their name is After Funk, and they are fresh off the release of their self-titled debut EP.


After Funk is going to make you move. If you managed to walk down the street while listening to this band and you didn’t have at least a bit of a groovewalk going on, I’m not sure if I would be impressed or disappointed. Mostly the latter. Whether it’s an intense instrumental jazz fusion tune or some smooth soul, everything about this EP is infectious. After Funk is a bonafide stress killer, designed to replace all bodily tension with a compulsion to head-bob. Along with bands like Snarky Puppy, Phish, and The Cat Empire, After Funk has gone straight into my list of bands to listen to on my way home from a bad day at work.


After Funk is an auditory remedy centred around a core of pure talent. Bass, drums, guitars, keys, horns, and vocals all have something to say within each song. Each voice performs with precision and skill, leaving the listener with many quality layers to focus on. This is topped by a production quality which is shocking for a debut EP. After Funk has decided to swing for the fences with their entry into the musical world, and it comes across in the degree of professionalism featured on each track. After Funk has also taken this EP as an opportunity to show their stylistic variety. As is characteristic of all jazz fusion, there are a ton of genres blended into the final mix. This EP makes a clear statement that this band is about as serious as one can get about having the most amount of fun possible.


I cannot wait to see what After Funk has in store for us in the coming years. I will not hesitate to catch one of their shows as soon as I can. The EP is available FOR FREE DOWNLOAD, so give it a listen and feel your smile grow. - The Indie Blender

AfterFunk is an eight piece collective, located in both Toronto and London. They began their original four piece funk experiment back in 2011 and staying true to their mission, they are truly bringing back the good vibes of yesteryear. With roots from Hamilton, London and Toronto the band members are no strangers to being on the road, playing shows from Ontario to Quebec and they even have a gig lined up at the Color Dance Music Festival in Ohio this May.

I had only been made aware of the band a few hours before the show, so I took to YouTube and got a preview of what was to come. Needless to say, I was excited from the get go; first seeing a cover of ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Pig’ then moving on to an After Funk original ‘The Way It Is’.

I arrived at Maxwell’s in time to witness what was to be the first mind-boggling performance of the night. The set up was like a giant puzzle. After Funk had to fit a drum kit, a keyboard, a percussion set-up, two guitarists and a bassist on stage whilst leaving room for a saxophonist and a trumpeter. Throughout the night there were also several cameo appearances including a cabasa, a tambourine, a rainmaker, some maracas, cowbells and a wooden whistle!

The psychedelic dance music got underway and I felt myself falling back into a spiraling, funktastic time warp. I was mesmerized by the way each sound complimented one another, as well as harnessing the superlative surroundings that Maxwell’s Music House possesses. There are no such things as boundaries when it comes to this collective, their music leaps from one era to another, from classic jazz to futuristic funk.
I love a good solo, but when I’m treated to the innumerable solos that After Funk had to offer, I couldn’t help but feel a little spoiled. When was the last time you saw a drum, percussion, guitar, keys, trumpet and sax solo in one set?
I found myself trying to focus on one member at a time but I knew by doing so I’d be missing out on seven other wild performances going on simultaneously. I was intrigued by Jim Toner in the back left working the percussion but on the far right Phil Tessis was impulsively bouncing between the stage and climbing an amp! Each individual on stage had their own role, each as important to the overall performance. The playful, Ska-like performance by the saxophonist and trumpeter added a boyish charm while the never dimming grin on the drummers face, nestled in the back, could cheer up the grim reaper. Yanick bossed the keys, displaying his awesome and, at times comedic showmanship (stopping for beers, cueing the laughs and vocally fantastic). Capping it all off were the pillars holding the stage together on either side of the stage, with Bradley on guitar and Justin on bass.
The fans were full of life, with a select group dancing the night away. As an unrefined dancer like myself, I couldn’t contain the uncontrollable rhythm flowing through my legs. The atmosphere was truly groovy and again, the good vibes of yesteryear are most certainly being revived by After Funk!


Written by Aaron Armstrong.
2/12/14

http://www.musicmixt.co.uk/#!after-funk/c10az - Music Mixt

LE BOOGIE WONDER BAND RECHAUFFERA L’ASTRAL EN FEVRIER!

Le jeudi 17 janvier 2013

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pour diffusion immédiate


Montréal, le 17 janvier 2013 – Après une résidence réussie à l’Impérial de Québec en décembre dernier, le Boogie Wonder Band sera en spectacle pour la première fois à L’Astral de Montréal, le 16 février prochain, précédé en première partie du groupe After Funk. Ne manquez pas cette rare occasion d’assister à une représentation de ces infatigables globe-trotteurs dans la Métropole, ville où ils ne sont pas produits depuis 2007!



Étrennant pour l’occasion de tout nouveaux costumes, la formation offrira deux heures de chansons funk puisées à même le répertoire des glorieuses années 1970. Vous pourrez constater qu’il est impossible de résister à la musique de ce groupe festif qui, depuis quinze ans, s’est donné pour mission de faire lever le party partout où il passe!



Le Boogie Wonder Band au Mardi Gras
Soulignons que le 10 février, le Boogie Wonder Band sera l’attraction principale de la plus grande nuit de la prochaine édition du Mardi Gras, le célèbre carnaval présenté à La Nouvelle-Orléans. Lors de la parade, le Boogie Wonder Band agira à titre de membre de la légendaire Krewe of Bacchus, qui met en vedette chaque année une personnalité qui incarne le roi Bacchus. Par le passé, Nicolas Cage et Will Ferrell ont notamment tenu ce rôle. La parade se dirigera au New Orleans Convention Center, où le Boogie Wonder Band se produira devant plus de 15 000 personnes dans un esprit de célébration unique au Mardi Gras.



Un succès planétaire
Formé en 1996, le Boogie Wonder Band réunit le chanteur Isaac « The Jam » Washington, la bassiste et fondatrice Boogie Cindy, le percussionniste Eddie Toussaint, le trompettiste Dr. Tony Fever, le batteur Luke Andersen, le guitariste Jack Wrangler, le saxophoniste Marky de Sax, la chanteuse Honey Jaz Jackson, le claviériste Cadillac Jones et la chanteuse Stardust.



Ayant plus de 2 500 spectacles à son actif et s’étant produit partout dans le monde, le Boogie Wonder Band a joué avec les plus grands noms du funk et du disco, dont Kool & the Gang, Village People, Rick James, War, Chic, KC and the Sunshine Band et Gloria Gaynor. Le groupe a galvanisé les foules lors d’événements tels que le Grand Prix de Monaco, d’Indianapolis et de Montréal ainsi que la Coupe Grey, et offert des prestations au Centre Bell, au Casino de Montréal et au Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

- Pierre Gravel International

See link - Contact Urbain

Londoners will have an opportunity to get ‘funky’ in the coming weeks. Comprised of Western students and alumni, After Funk will bring their distinctive sound to APK Live as they prepare to start recording their first full-length album.

“[Funk music] is very rhythmic music and it always grooves and feels good—and for this reason, it is very danceable,” says Jamie Rosenberg, the band’s drummer. “I think we all enjoy funk music because it really is fun music that gets everyone going, whether they are a funk fan or not.”

It’s been a busy year for After Funk—the band went on a small tour with Vancouver’s Five Alarm Funk and was well-received at their first show in Montreal. The Western-made band recently expanded their quartet as they work on their first full-length album, and follow up to their EP titled Soul’d.

“Our EP was recorded as a quartet, so I think with the addition of our horn section and second guitarist the sound will definitely be fuller,” Rosenberg says.

Adding a permanent horn section was a long-desired goal for Rosenberg and the band. With both this added element and a new guitarist, After Funk is adding more layers to their distinctive funk sound while experimenting with beats from multiple genres.

Drawing from a wide range of influences including funk, soul, jazz and rhythm and blues, After Funk’s sound is not constricted to a single genre. For Rosenberg, these influences require him to beat out a consistent rhythm, as funk music is much more rhythmic than other genres.

“In order to create a really strong groove, it is very important to have the drums and bass locking in together to create a strong, driving pulse,” Rosenberg says. “I also think this is part of the reason that funk music is so great for dancing to. For me, this means laying down a rock solid groove and not necessarily deviating much from it— in most cases, less is more. ”.

From here, After Funk will be working heavily on getting their new album recorded. Rosenberg promises a number of new songs, live recordings and new renditions of the band’s established tunes like “That’s the Way It Is.”

The band hopes to start recording the album before the summer is over.

“We would like to have it finished as soon as possible, but don’t want to rush it, so we won’t be setting a release date until the whole process is well underway and the end is in sight,” Rosenberg concludes. - Western Gazette

APK Live is gearing up for some serious groovin’ and shakin’ this Friday - after all, they are hosting the triumphant return of London’s own funk soul fusion ensemble, After Funk! The band last left London in a sweat at Call The Office in June, so LondonFuse is giving you the dish on this groovy group.
Able to contact the drummer Jaime Rosenberg in the midst of a busy move and preparation for the show, he and bassist Justin Bontje spin a tale of musicians drawn together by the power of funk, but how did it all start? Rosenberg explains, “The group was started by me, Yanick, Justin and Brad in March of 2011. [We] were jamming and decided to compete in two local battle of the bands and approached Brad to see if he was up for playing with us...there was an immediate chemistry and the four of us really seemed to click.”


By the end of 2011 the boys had left a soulful trail across Southwestern Ontario, adding musicians with different talents along the way. Rosenberg boasts of his multi talented friends who join him on stage - and rightly so, “Our core group is based on keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums...with our full band we feature the core group along with saxophones and trumpet to contribute melodies, along with a second guitar to reinforce them.... [everyone] has an education in music at UWO and at the Jazz programs at Humber and U of T.”
The band’s dynamic changes with every entry and exit of a member and its a good switch up, as Rosenberg adds, “Having many connections with other trained musicians has given us opportunities to feature guests driven from other styles which keep all of our shows fresh.” Jazz, blues, rock, reggae, all have a place somewhere in After Funk’s repetoire. Bontje elaborates on the different percussional ranges additional drummer, Jim Toner, creates. “At our most recent performance we brought up a percussionist from UWO to add some auxiliary sounds to our set, which [added] a latin/tribal feel of some of our grooves...Toner was playing congas, tibales, cymbals, shaker, tambourine and cowbell [and] will also be joining us for our jam at APK live this Friday.” The band takes pride in its ability to adapt with and attract various musicians and talents, “We are always open to bringing in musicians to learn about different styles to help keep our sound in motion.”

Attributing their influences to some classic performers, Rosenberg and Bontje tell Fuse why funk and how they came into such a diverse genre in a totally different time period from whence it was born, “We draw on elements from many different artists and genres [...] take lots of influence from James Brown and Lettuce, who like to use shots and call and response [...] this is a great way to engage the audience and encourage them to be involved in the show.” The band actively seeks and loves audience participation, so London get ready to sing and dance along to some After Funk originals, and look out for one of their favourite covers, or resurrection, should I say, of James Brown himself.

In terms of subtle agencies in the band’s sound, Rosenberg adds, “D'Angelo is also a big influence on us [...] recently, our sax player Julian has been teasing the song ‘Careless Whisper’ in his solo in our song ‘Feel Better, an audience favourite. The first time he did it was in Montreal and no one expected it so the whole band was dying laughing!” Funk creates an open and energetic atmosphere, which drew all the members to the genre and the band. “We all love funk music because it is extremely fun music. It feels good and has a great 'groove' and I think this is something that we all [can] enjoy.”

Despite having travelled many a city, After Funk unashamedly admits who they like to come home to - London and of course, their favourite venue. “We all love APK live - great crowds, awesome sound, always good vibes. Not to mention their amazing food! We have played all over London and we always find ourselves back at APK.” They have been well received in every city and the shy delight in becoming better known amongst new crowds is exciting for the band. “We're starting to see familiar faces at our shows that we didn’t know before we started playing. It's definitely a great feeling.” The group is also enjoying the competition in the sea of talent in Toronto, where half the band lives. “There are soo many people, venues and bands that it is so much more difficult to get noticed. In London there is less going on, which works to our advantage [while] on any given night in Toronto there are a million other concerts going on - which makes it difficult to get a crowd out. We've started to build a following in London which is awesome!”

Come shake your tailfeathers Friday, August 31 at APK Live to After Funk w.s.g. Motion Grove and Gypsy Ghosts
9 p.m.
19+
5$ at the door!

- London Fuse

Finally, the headliners, After Funk, went on...originating in London, Ontario. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay for most of the set, but we saw the first two songs they played and it was absolutely killer. Really professional sound, well-written tunes, incredibly skilled musicians, fun to dance to, and most importantly, fun to listen to. - MV Remix

...you should hit up the Tiger Bar to see one of the hottest new bands to come out of London, After Funk. These guys have officially been a band for only a few weeks now, but they have already won a few contests, these guys have some serious talent and you do not want to miss their first show in Toronto. - The Worst Guy

After Funk came together about five monts ago when three friends from UWO who had been jamming for a couple of weeks decided to sign up for two local "Battle of the Bands" competitions. A guitar player was added to fill out the groups sound and despite having only finished their lineup a week before the contests, After Funk won both and decided to continue performing. "Our repertoire consists of both original material and covers. However, when attempting cover songs we look to give each song a new and unique s[in, as opposed to just recreating the recorded version. We have also been known to blend several songs together into long medleys, such as our popular "Beatles Sandwich", which blends together multiple Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Marley classics, "said drummer Jaime Rosenberg. After Funk, who are currently in the process of recording their first EP, will perform at Concrete Beach on the UWO campus on Thursday, September 8th and at Victoria Park on Saturday, September 10th for Shine Day.

- John Sharpe - Scene Magazine