BuzzUniverse
Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Music
Press
“BuzzU gets people dancing with their high energy originals and diverse cover selections, a quality that acts as an aural shot of espresso for festival attendees . . . This band has developed a unique sound that's equal parts Rusted Root, Los Lobos and The Band . . . Check 'em out and try to stand still, I dare you.”
- Scott Bernstein, Glide Magazine
“The more I listen to BuzzUniverse, the more they sound like themselves: a groove band at heart, but one in which funky violins, Latin rock percussion rhythms and guitar work that’s both vertiginous and angular can coexist and thrive without sounding like disparate elements patchworked together.... I had a casual interest in BuzzUniverse before their second annual Jingle Jam show at Ace of Clubs Friday. I am now, decidedly, a fan.” - Chad Berndtson, Glide Magazine
“There are plenty of elements in their diverse musical mix . . . It would be easy for the results to be all over the place, but the best part is that this musical melting pot ends up sounding like BuzzUniverse.” - Rob Johnson, Hittin the Note Magazine
“It's refreshingly hip to hear a band exude a sound and spirit that says they don't care if they're hip.”
- Mike McKinley, State of Mind Magazine
“They live to entertain and it shows! Seeing BuzzUniverse is like going to a theatrical performance as well as a musical performance and the sight is surely one to behold.” - Holly V, UpstateLive Magazine
“Talented & Eclectic... Fun & Funky... Addictive, Hip-Grinding... Buoyant & Blissful... Buzz Universe has certainly raised the bar for themselves with the release of birdfishtree. They have grabbed opportunity by the balls and created a fine album that has plenty of thrilling moments, all the while retaining their tight, cohesive ensemble sound. This record is going to provide a lot of joy to a lot of people, and hopefully, it will springboard this band on to bigger and better things. "
Full Review:
http://www.jambands.com/CDReviews/content_2006_11_19.04.phtml - jambands.com
10/3/06
by William Hoffman
"That Hot Band from Jersey, BuzzUniverse, who rocked Washington Square Park this weekend, will be celebrating the release of their new CD, birdfishtree, at the Lions Den on October 26th." - New York Post
Discography
Living Breathing Magic (2011)
LiveVibes at the Donegal Saloon (2008)
birdfishtree (2006)
Musik for Abstract Citizens (2004)
Photos
Bio
Proudly hailing from Elizabeth, New Jersey, BuzzUniverse refuses to be defined by a singular musical genre. Having never abandoned their progressive rock roots, BuzzUniverse ambitiously incorporate elements of traditional rock and roll, acoustic folk, South American cantatas, world rhythms and old-school funk into their own distinctive blend of classic rock. Since 2003, BuzzUniverse has been guided by the philosophy that music should have no limits and the world’s musical evolution should be unflinchingly embraced. “We want to expose people to different genres of music,” explains Alex Garay, BuzzUniverse’s frontman and lead guitarist. “We want people to hear bluegrass, funk and New Orleans jazz and realize that the music that comes out of this little band from New Jersey comes from all over the country and all over the world.”
In addition to fronting the band, Garay serves as BuzzUniverse’s main songwriter and creative force. His musical visions are brought to life by the rhythm section of Greg McLoughlin and Dave Migliore, saxophonist Brian Ciufo, violinist Meredith Rachel and vocalist Rosie Lazroe. The recent additions of Rachel and Lazroe reinvigorated an already vital unit, broadening BuzzUniverse’s already vast musical range.
BuzzUniverse’s extensive palate evolved from their prog-rock temperament, jamband leanings, classical training and voracious appetite for all forms of music. “Alex and I came out of that whole 70s thing where you were expected to be diverse” says Migliore. Their latest album, Living Breathing Magic, lives up to the ethos that a band should be able to do a little bit of everything, showcasing the songcraft, vocal harmonies and energy that has delighted live audiences across the country. Colombian born, Garay’s heritage shines through in the infectious beat of “Caballo Viejo” and his budding interest in the Buena Vista Social Club gave birth to the band’s cover of “El Carretero,” which featuring a haunting introduction from Rachel. Living Breathing Magic hits many touchstones: “Another Way” and “You And Me” are straight-forward rock and roll, “Round And Round” explores jamband grooves, “Jive” and “Catbootz” show off a decidedly prog-rock bent, the cover of The Band’s “Evangeline” offers a slice of Americana and “In The Nighttime,” the album’s epic closing number, resurrects the ghosts of the Jersey boardwalk.
There are many live recordings of the band available on Archive.org, but this recent performance from Woodstock NY's Bearsville Theater is a remarkable example of BuzzUniverse winning over a brand new audience of true music lovers: http://www.archive.org/details/buzzu2011-11-25.dpa4022.pmd661.cd2go.flac24
Links
