Lotus, a multi-genre band whose sound incorporates elements of rock, electronica, jazz, hip-hop and jam, will perform at The F-Shed at The Market Jan. 24 and 25. The Daily Orange spoke with Jesse Miller, the band’s bassist, about the upcoming shows and the band’s history and music.

The Daily Orange: What is your favorite part of being a performer?
Jesse Miller: Having a platform to share my music with thousands of people around the country is amazing. I think I would be making music if only a few people ever heard it, but having a captive audience live in concert is a completely unique and exhilarating experience.

The D.O.: How do you describe Lotus’ music?
J.M.: I call it dance-rock. There are a lot of different influences in our music so it is always tricky. Better just to hear it.

The D.O.: How did you begin your career as the bassist for Lotus?
J.M.: We started the band when we were in college. We were learning as we went, but we were serious about it from the beginning. We rehearsed all the time and played a ton of shows. That really helped us learn how to play together as a group.

The D.O.: What can we expect from the upcoming Syracuse show?
J.M.: Two shows over two nights allows us to dig into our catalog and play a wide range of music. Saturday nights are always high-energy. And, as they say, “never miss a Sunday show” — that is the day things can get more experimental.

The D.O.: I know you guys have been on the road and performing at a bunch of music festivals in recent years. Which performance was the best experience for you?
J.M.: Both Rothbury Festivals — 2008, 2009 —were very formative. We had really big, receptive crowds. I feel like we turned a lot of heads with those two sets and gained a lot of new fans. The festival grounds, location and management are up there as the best I’ve ever seen.

The D.O.: How do you think the band has grown since it first started?
J.M.: I think the biggest step has been maturing as composers and studio musicians. Improvisation has always been a big part of Lotus, but we’ve come along way in how we write and record music.

The D.O.: Can you tell us a little bit about Lotus’ next album?
J.M.: It is different than any other album we’ve done. It is all super catchy, pretty dance-y with some funk and pop influences.

The D.O.: What direction do you see Lotus going toward in the future?
J.M.: There are so many things I’d like to do with the band, I never see it as one simple direction. Maybe something that leans toward classical minimalism, maybe a psych-rock album, maybe an all-electronic analog synth project? In my mind, Lotus is a balloon that keeps expanding and not just a thread we follow.

Published on January 22, 2015 at 12:01 am

Contact; tchuang@syr.edu