The Flat 5

IMN / 92.3 FM / NUVO "Artist of the Week"
IndianapolisMusic.net presents our latest feature, the Artist of the Week. Each week our editorial staff will select one local artist who has made a place in the spotlight for themselves by giving Indy's music lovers something they should be hearing. Along with the weekly IMN feature, the Artist of the Week will also be featured in the pages of NUVO Newsweekly and on the air on radio station WTTS - 92.3 FM.


The Flat 5 is fat with funk
by Ryan Williams

Bloomington 's The Flat 5 draw in many different elements under one groove. They blend jazz, soul, R&B and funk together to achieve their unique sound.

Next Shows: Tues, Feb 8 @ Birdy's Live & Thurs, Feb 17 @ Patio

The Flat 5 are not particularly flat, and those with a little background in music probably take their name as an indicator that the players have studied up on their music theory. For the lay listener, though, it's easier to focus on the groove than the terminology. This group's mélange of music comes from several different sources, all danceable. Bassist Kevin Simonelic calls The Flat 5's music "funky soul with jazz influences, as well as R&B." In fact, guitarist Tom Atwood can only recall one gig where the blend didn't go over well. It was a "private party for some people that wanted to hear southern rock."

The group's lineup is a formidable one, consisting of Simonelic, Tom Atwood (guitar), Tom Emmons (keys), Brandon Williams (drums), Jackie Coleman (trumpet), Quincy Sanders (alto saxophone), Jerrell Smith (tenor saxophone), Morgan Price (baritone saxophone), Jeff Franca (percussion), and Tanya Riggs (vocals). This sizable troupe hails from Bloomington , although Simonelic says it's sometimes hard to play around the homestead. He sees a challenge in "getting venues to take a chance on bands that music other than rock and roll covers." He adds that "people seem open to different styles of music in Indianapolis."



While the band lines up more shows in and around the area, Simonelic says they're looking at other projects as well. "We are working on many originals and going to the studio soon. We are planning to release an album sometime during the summer." Atwood says he's also busy "writing music for my group and personal home recording."

Although the group takes in many influences, from Miles Davis and Stanley Clarke to Bob Dylan, they've got an even more historical view on their music. Their website draws parallels from the birth of jazz in New Orleans bordellos to today, where the group " continues this legacy of collaboration between disparate corners of the popular music scene, all under the aegis of jazz." It's an ambitious goal, but The Flat 5 have plenty of sources for inspiration.

Related Link:
www.theflat5.com

-- Ryan Williams


- NUVO/Indymusic.net/92.3 WTTS