As far as I see it, the music scene in New York and the world right now is on the edge of the diving board. We’re all leaning forward about to take that plunge — and our stomachs are filled with butterflies. With access to new media and reinvented music sharing platforms there is so much potential for growth in all directions. New artists are cropping up, mashing genres, and making waves, if you’ll forgive the diving metaphor. Once such group is the dynamic (U)nity, based here in NYC. I had the pleasure of chatting with (U)nity co-founder, drummer and Hell’s Kitchen native Amaury Acosta this past week. He spoke to the same thing that I’ve been sensing for a while now — music is evolving faster and in more innovative ways than ever before.

When it comes to (U)nity’s mission, they want to start making music that’s sonically complex, but also accessible. For Acosta, who has his roots in Jazz, that transition is a meaningful one. He wants people to be able connect with the music on a baser level, and not be bothered by conceptions of genre. Co-founder Axel Laugart, son of Cuban vocalist Xiomara Laugart, elaborates, “We didn’t want to make a conventional sound that could easily be marketed, so we are establishing the term ‘Genreless’ our music is not classifiable by any term.”

That said, the influence of afro-Cuban roots, hip hop, R&B and jazz can’t be denied — and who would want to deny that anyway? This ish makes you want to get down… They’re recording this summer so look for the album in the coming year! Bound to be a banger.

Ultimately, we’re amped to support (U)nity because they embody some of the ideas that are so important to us — a desire to draw diverse listeners, explore musical boundaries and redefine preconceptions. Laugart explains, “What we hope to accomplish with (U)nity is to … enlighten people and bring them on our sonic journey and experience the richness of our diverse cultural backgrounds.” 

You can catch (U)nity at artist showcase series Starburst at Free Candy, an innovative art and performance space in Brooklyn, on Thursday February 23rd. For info: Starburst ft. (U)nity The night is in honor of Black History month with a particular focus on celebrating black comedians. The set will include salutes to Richard Pryor, Madlib, Common, D’Angelo, Herbie Hancock, Dave Chappelle, Miles Davis, Robert Glasper… the list goes on.

For all you Hip Hop heads, this is not one to miss if you want to switch it up a bit…but you can’t go a night without that something something. Join the WU fam in shining the spotlight on some dedicated rising artists.

Thursday, February 23, 2012
Free Candy
905 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn

Doors @ 9, Show @10
$5, all ages
[email protected]

 

 

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