Leisure Chief

The Florida music scene is exploding exponentially. The I-4 corridor in particular has an enormous stockpile of talent, much of that on display at a great succession of festivals, including Hometeam New Year’s Rally, Gov-Fest, Little Econ Fest, Orange Blossom Jam, and the Great Outdoors Jam, plus numerous Jambando events in Orlando and the Disk Jams, Purple Hatter’s Ball and similar events at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.

In relative terms, Leisure Chief is a newcomer on the scene, but its members have been playing together for years in various configurations. Drummer Derek Engstrom and guitarist Nick Bogdon were childhood friends. They met Chris McMullen, who plays bass, at jazz jams at Natura Coffee and Tea at UCF. It was apparent that Engstrom and Bogdon were searching for a creative outlet for original material. Both had played plenty of jazz gigs, offering up the usual assortment of jazz standards, incredibly important in building the foundation for a band. You have likely noticed that the most innovative groups on the jam scene have deep, deep jazz roots, because that is where the art of the jam originated.

The trio began the hard uphill climb of working together, getting bookings, expanding their repertoire, and raising their name recognition. They also connected with keyboard player Keegan Matthews at UCF. At one of the Woodstock Jambandos, the trio was working on a tribute to Sly Stone, and they asked Christian Ryan to add his alto and baritone saxes to the mix. With that, the trio became a quintet. The group started with compositions by Engstrom and Bogdon, but slowly each member of the band began to contribute as well.

LC3

Ryan is probably the most recognizable member of the band, for his stellar playing, his moustache, and his 250 gigs last year. Even if you had a program, you probably couldn’t keep up with his schedule. He also works regularly with Holey Miss Moley, I-Resolution, Evan Taylor Jones, Control This (ska) and Bengali 600 (Afro-pop). “Too many bands to list…” Ryan also plays flute and has added tenor sax to his expanding phalanx of reeds. For the Little Econ Fest, he is putting together a hip-hop band called Souquarium Review that should be amazing.

So what, exactly, do these boys play? This comes from their reverbnation bio:

Leisure Chief is a new-wave, musical powerhouse drawing influence from Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Soul, yet defying the confines of any one genre. Inventive compositions paired with the spirit of improvisation and jazz harmony distinguishes them as a noteworthy group of musicians bringing forth a refreshing sense of originality. Though the band is heavily instrumental-oriented, they also feature vibrant vocals, extending their sound to the reach of all types of music lovers.

LC2

That is an accurate description of what you get in a Leisure Chief set. Their obvious enthusiasm is impossible to mask. The grind of late nights and road trips has not dampened their joy at playing their own music, bringing that joy to music fans of many stripes. They have evolved from jazz jams and backing vocalists to creating their own musical vision and sharing it. They did so first with their EP Buster Keaton, which was well received. The band is slowly working on its first full-length CD.

Leisure Chief is also extremely excited about the upcoming release of their live-in-the-studio DVD, recorded in January. They took a page from the Snarky Puppy playbook , and the results were even better than anyone could have imagined.

In time, as most musicians do, they would like to take their act on the road. New Orleans is certainly one destination, and there are many hip clubs and regional music festivals throughout the Southeast where Leisure Chief would be a great fit. In the meantime, they have the regular Thursday night gig at Tanqueray’s, the grooviest, smokiest place in Orlando. Innovation and fun go hand in hand with this group. They make it coast to coast along I-4 and hit up Jacksonville as well. Look for them at a club or festival near you. You will be richly rewarded. - Music Fest News - Scott Hopkins

For this year’s Hulaween festivities, we invited our correspondent Liz Turcotte down from Atlanta to experience her first Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park event. Liz is a pro-festy, and can set up a 4-person camp in 30 minutes flat – complete with Halloween decorations and a giving tent. As someone new to the park, but experienced in large attendance festivals, Liz offers a fresh perspective on Suwannee Hulaween. As an added bonus, it was her birthday weekend – and as you can tell from her article below, she had a blast. Welcome to SOSMP & Florida Music Blog!

1. Location, location, location
The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park is nestled right off of Interstate 75 in Live Oak, Florida. As soon as you drive onto the property, an almost euphoric feeling takes over and you feel right at home between the Spanish moss and unspoiled forest. SOSMP is home to over 25 music festivals like Suwannee River Jam, Wanee Music Festival and Purple Hatters Ball, just to name a few.

hulaween location
Photo credit: Chris Monaghan

2. Thursday night pre-party
Named the best funk band from New Orleans by Time Magazine, Dumpstaphunk had us radiating ridiculously good vibes while we listed to them pump out crowd favorites like “Water.” Joe Russo’s Almost Dead played for two and a half beautiful hours and we were all super grateful. The former drummer of Further and his band captured the crowd’s attention until the moment they left the stage.



3. String Cheese Incident
How about the guys who made this whole thing possible? Six incredible sets, including the unbelievable Ghoul Train set on Halloween night, left Hulaween in awe. GZA of Wu Tang played the role of Don Cornelius from Soul Train and hosted a set that would go down in history. The crowd boogied down with Antibalas, Sheryl Renee and Leonard Julien to songs like Brick House, Dancing in September, Car Wash and several other funky beats.

string cheese incident
Photo credit: Keith Grinner

4. Art installations at Spirit Lake
Walking into Spirit Lake on Friday night was like entering an enchanted forest of lights, art and wonder. Everywhere you turned there was something incredible to look at and explore. Lighting designer John Hollingshead lit up the lake and trees with projectors of patterns and colors that would blow your mind. Trying to explain the beauty we all saw with our own eyes doesn’t even do the work justice.

spirit lake
Photo credit: Keith Grinner

spirit lake art
Photo credit: Keith Grinner

5. Stage presence
Don’t get me wrong all of the stages were amazing, but the stage of the weekend award goes to the Amphitheater Stage for two reasons. First, it was covered by trees so even though the Florida heat threatened to halt our daytime dance parties, the trees provided us with shade to shake our booties all day. Secondly, everyone in the place could see and hear the band. Although, this was really the case at the other three stages as well. Other festivals take note, people want to see and hear the shows.



6. Service puppies to make you feel all warm inside
Although it clearly states in the official Hulaween rules that pets are not allowed into the festival, we greeted several pups along our journey. These dogs are service dogs, and they help their owners cope with conditions like anxiety, fear and PTSD. When we first arrived in line to pick up our passes, a puppy in a pouch (AKA a Yorkie in a fanny pack) greeted us with sweet little button eyes. We also saw a baby squirrel in a fanny pack. The baby squirrel’s owner found it abandoned in his backyard and carried it around all weekend with a tiny bottle to feed him. So much love!

7. Jam bands will never die
Spirit of Suwannee Music Park is where jam bands live all year long. The String Cheese Incident, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Dopapod, Heavy Pets, Papadosio and other acts brought the sway into Hulaween in 2015. A true hybrid of electronic music and jam bands coming together for a festival of funk is something almost unheard of these days. Kudos to Hulaween for making it happen and doing it oh so well.

hulaween 2015
Photo credit: Dave Vann

8. Craft Village is so clutch
We’ve all been to festivals where you can restock supplies by leaving the festival grounds and heading to the closest Wal-Mart, or go to a store on the festival grounds where you’re charged and arm and a leg. Not at SOSMP. There is a general store you can buy anything you could ask for at regular prices. Yup, regular prices. If you didn’t think it could get any better, you’re wrong. Next door to Country Store, homemade ice cream and delicious freshly brewed coffee are all sold for fair prices.

9. DJs did more than play on their computers
It’s no secret Silent Disco was jumping every night until the sun came up. At a certain point in the evening, the security disappeared and Spirit Lake become a hippie free-for-all. Campers would bring in their hammocks, play in the many art installations, and dance all night with some incredible DJs. Big Wild, Pretty Lights, The Polish Ambassador and Odesza all graced Hulaween with their presence on the larger stages. Big Wild was particularly impressive considering he had an early daytime slot. The masses came out to show support. High fives all around in this area.

big wild hulaween
Photo credit: Florida Music Blog

hulaween 2015
Photo credit: Dave Vann

10. Late night pop-up camp sets
There’s something magical about sharing an intimate moment with a band that captures your soul only twenty steps from your tent. DJs, live bands and themed camps ensured your night did not have to stop when you left the stage area. Leisure Chief, DJ duo Gypsy Massive and N.W. Izzard were a few of the acts to throw down in the campgrounds until sunrise.

hulaween campsite

11. The River
If you had a chance to make it down to the river you were certainly in for a treat. Suwannee River begins in South Georgia and travels to northern Florida where it eventually dumps out into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s about a ten-minute drive from the campgrounds (going the speed limit & watching out for pedestrians) so find a friend with a golf cart and make an afternoon out of it.

hulaween suwannee river
Photo Cred: www.dubera.com

12. Straight Funk
Funk originated in the 1960s as a mixture of soul, jazz and R&B. Earphunk, The Floozies, The New Mastersounds, GRiZ and Lettuce brought exactly what Hulaween needed. During Lettuce’s set on Sunday no one was talking because everyone was too busy dancing and passing “lettuce leaves.”



13. Vendor status strong
Hulaween demonstrates a true union between music and art. Black Sheep brought their handmade crafts made with fair trade materials from South America all the way from Colorado. New World Glass Gallery, out of Pennsylvania, provided everyone who was looking for it an opportunity to have a very relaxing stay. Eats for the weekend were not limited. 28 food vendors to nurse your hangover, which included Peace Love Tacos, Maine Eatery and Jungle Juice.

14. Ever been to a festival on Halloween, man?
This is hands-down the absolute best people watching on earth. Admit it, people watching at a festival is already fun. Now throw in the fact you have some of the most creative people in the country together on Halloween. Your mind pretty much just explodes. Everywhere you turn there are insanely beautiful and thought-out pieces of art people display on their bodies. If you come to Hulaween, make sure your costume is just as fabulous as you are.

hulaween costumes

hulaween costumes
Photo Cred: Florida Music Blog

15. Last but not least, the people
Next to the definition of good vibes you will more than likely find a picture of Hulaween. It’s hard to put in words the feelings you get when you’re around such beautiful souls. Positivity is radiating on full blast. Smiles are seen and laughter is heard at all hours of the day. If someone is in need, it’s guaranteed that a fellow festival goer will lend a hand. Thank you Hulaween for being so beautiful and changing our lives for the better. See you guys in 2016!

griz fans

suwannee hulaween 2015

Photo Cred: Florida Music Blog - Florida Music Blog - Jen McKinnon

If you’re the type of person who likes to be aware of what’s around them, you’re going to want to keep an eye on this new series launched by constant scene cheerleader Swamburger. Its goal is to assemble rising Orlando talents who are about to break and treat the shows as if they are already at that maximum achievement level where they are soon emphatically believed to be destined. It’s a night for people who love living on the cusp – the thrive before increased visibility threatens to taint pure artistry. This kick-off stars local funk force Leisure Chief and welcomes home notable soul act Fat Night from tour. It also packs hip-hop heat with Skip and Table for Three, while bringing in inventive R&B songwriter-producer Indigo Blak to skyrocket “On the Come Up” to maximum appeal.

On the Come Up: Leisure Chief with Skip, Fat Night, Table for Three, Indigo Blak | 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 | The Social, 54 N. Orange Ave. | 407-246-1419 | thesocial.org | $10 - Orlando Weekly - Ashley Belanger

We’re used to seeing Leisure Chief (formerly Buster Keaton) dependably funking around at Tanqueray’s on Thursdays, but a new event featuring the band that cropped up on our calendar has uncommon written all over it. First, location. It’s a free show at Milk Bar at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, one of the first peeps we’ve heard since show promoter Jessica Pawli came on board at the bar, on their brand new stage. (RSVP) Second, in addition to the jazz and funk-fueled jams you’d expect from Leisure Chief, they’ll be playing a full set of J Dilla instrumentals.

If you’re not familiar with Dilla, stop everything and listen up. J Dilla was a hugely revered but undersung producer whose presence was felt but not shouted from the rooftops, quietly affecting and influencing hip-hop’s best artists. From AllMusic: “… hardcore hip-hop fans began to know Dilla for his steady wobble, which was unfailingly musical and rich in details — shuffling hi-hats, oddly placed handclaps, spacious drum loops with drastically reshaped samples of tracks both obscure and obvious.” Listen to Donuts, the instrumental album he completed in his hospital bed, released three days before Dilla died from cardiac arrest. - Orlando Weekly

"Leisure Chief was holding down their weekly residency (Tanqueray’s). Most know them as Buster Keaton, but they just officially changed their name. They’re one of the younger acts rising in the local groove-band scene and it’s easy to see why. Their jam-friendly merge of polished funk and jazz is chill while kinetic and professional, but not too self-serious. The result is a modest but enjoyable band that, rather than be distracted with trend, just cares about locking it down and keeping the spot lively every Thursday. This band in this venue is a perfect combination." - Orlando Weekly

"The band released their first EP last August and has it available on Bandcamp. They have plans for a full-length CD and an East Coast tour in the works as well. They have several dates booked around Florida through the new year" - Examiner.com