Mo Lowda & the Humble

On a Wednesday night you wouldn’t think to see a packed crowd out for a band that plays Philly regularly. However, Gunner’s Run (the rock and roll bar of the Piazza) had a surprising turn out. There were drinks flowing, fueling a lively crowd who were getting down to one very special up-and-coming band. That band didn’t have an opening act, nor did they have the need for one. That band is Mo Lowda and the Humble.

Mo Lowda is very difficult to classify and put into a genre. They have similarities to bands like Kings of Leon, Airborne Toxic Event, and Incubus, but their song structure and composition go so much deeper. They have the vocals to make your girlfriend’s heart melt, provided by Jordan Caiola, the groove to keep you dancing from bassist Nate Matulis and change more than your underwear courtesy of drumming phenom Shane Woods. Mo Lowda has absolutely mesmerizing rhythms combined with perfectly placed reverb that take you into a trance, only as long as they want to keep you there, and before you know it, you are hit in the face with a wall of sound.

Jordan hunched over the mic with eyes closed like he is singing to a loved one, Shane slammed the cymbals in rhythmic mastery and when Nate got moving the crowd followed suit.

Playing two 40 minute sets would be difficult for any band, but they had the catalog to do it. The thing that really shocked me was in their break between sets, no one left. These guys have a serious following.

The bassist took a few seconds to talk with me in between sets. I asked him for help describing Mo Lowda and the Humble. His responses were both comical but deep.

To elaborate on the band members he told me, “It’s more louder, and it’s humble, it’s awesome songwriting, jazz funk bass, and a progressive drummer who loves to sit back in the pocket.” Nate told me that when writing he tries to “slow down time” through the articulation and dynamics of each note, while adding, “If it doesn’t make a moment for me, then it doesn’t make a moment for you.”

Our conversation went over an assortment of analogies to describe the band, but my absolute favorite was when Nate got on the subject of building a song, “the groove is like planting a seed, every note is a leaf, the verse grows into a branch, and eventually, over time, you get a beautiful solid structure.” He continued on his visual representation to music by saying that with each song in their set, they want to keep the audience guessing, “It’s like you walk into a room. After you become acquainted with the room, the door locks, the lights go out and you fall through a trap door. Its like…where am I now?”

He would later add that the band never does much thinking on stage, they just play. That is something that comes with years of practice and a solid connection amongst band members. To be as young as they are, as fluent as they are, and have such a catalog like they do, is an incredible testament to the talent in Mo Lowda and the Humble. Not just Philly, but the nation needs to keep an eye (and ear) on these guys. Mo Lowda and The Humble could be the next band out of Philly, and are the least limited by genre. They are the band to watch for in 2013.
- THAT MAG

On a Wednesday night you wouldn’t think to see a packed crowd out for a band that plays Philly regularly. However, Gunner’s Run (the rock and roll bar of the Piazza) had a surprising turn out. There were drinks flowing, fueling a lively crowd who were getting down to one very special up-and-coming band. That band didn’t have an opening act, nor did they have the need for one. That band is Mo Lowda and the Humble.

Mo Lowda is very difficult to classify and put into a genre. They have similarities to bands like Kings of Leon, Airborne Toxic Event, and Incubus, but their song structure and composition go so much deeper. They have the vocals to make your girlfriend’s heart melt, provided by Jordan Caiola, the groove to keep you dancing from bassist Nate Matulis and change more than your underwear courtesy of drumming phenom Shane Woods. Mo Lowda has absolutely mesmerizing rhythms combined with perfectly placed reverb that take you into a trance, only as long as they want to keep you there, and before you know it, you are hit in the face with a wall of sound.

Jordan hunched over the mic with eyes closed like he is singing to a loved one, Shane slammed the cymbals in rhythmic mastery and when Nate got moving the crowd followed suit.

Playing two 40 minute sets would be difficult for any band, but they had the catalog to do it. The thing that really shocked me was in their break between sets, no one left. These guys have a serious following.

The bassist took a few seconds to talk with me in between sets. I asked him for help describing Mo Lowda and the Humble. His responses were both comical but deep.

To elaborate on the band members he told me, “It’s more louder, and it’s humble, it’s awesome songwriting, jazz funk bass, and a progressive drummer who loves to sit back in the pocket.” Nate told me that when writing he tries to “slow down time” through the articulation and dynamics of each note, while adding, “If it doesn’t make a moment for me, then it doesn’t make a moment for you.”

Our conversation went over an assortment of analogies to describe the band, but my absolute favorite was when Nate got on the subject of building a song, “the groove is like planting a seed, every note is a leaf, the verse grows into a branch, and eventually, over time, you get a beautiful solid structure.” He continued on his visual representation to music by saying that with each song in their set, they want to keep the audience guessing, “It’s like you walk into a room. After you become acquainted with the room, the door locks, the lights go out and you fall through a trap door. Its like…where am I now?”

He would later add that the band never does much thinking on stage, they just play. That is something that comes with years of practice and a solid connection amongst band members. To be as young as they are, as fluent as they are, and have such a catalog like they do, is an incredible testament to the talent in Mo Lowda and the Humble. Not just Philly, but the nation needs to keep an eye (and ear) on these guys. Mo Lowda and The Humble could be the next band out of Philly, and are the least limited by genre. They are the band to watch for in 2013.
- THAT MAG

Everybody needs a little variety in their lives and Philly Alternative Rock band Mo Lowda and The Humble (Jordan Caiola – Vocals/Guitar, Shane Woods – Drums, Nate Matulis – Bass) offer mounds of it on their latest studio EP, This is Planet Earth. The five track opus is fueled by infectious rhythms, a plethora of emotional thoughts and influences from a number of genres. The crew’s diverse style and instrumental depth is breathtaking and a joy to listen to.

These guys are nothing short of amazing. Their gift to bend and shift sounds at will is astonishing as it provides an example for other musicians to attempt to emulate. Tracks like “No Parachute” and “Run Run” showcase their ability to inject crisp rhythmical and lyrical transitions at will while “Lately” and “Rain or Shine” offer plenty of crowd participation moments.

This is Planet Earth is one of those music collections that has the power transport you to that perfect moment in your life. Maybe it will take you back to your first kiss, smelling Mom’s homemade baked goods or having a good time with great friends. Personally, this EP reminds me of learning to play chess with Pop Dukes at the dining room table while artists like Hall and Oates and The Isley Brothers filled the air. In contrast, listening to This is Planet Earth gives me something to look forward to as we all bear witness to the continuum that is the evolution of music. This is a must-have for your music playlist, for you’ll have it in constant rotation. Enjoy! - Amped Sounds

Everybody needs a little variety in their lives and Philly Alternative Rock band Mo Lowda and The Humble (Jordan Caiola – Vocals/Guitar, Shane Woods – Drums, Nate Matulis – Bass) offer mounds of it on their latest studio EP, This is Planet Earth. The five track opus is fueled by infectious rhythms, a plethora of emotional thoughts and influences from a number of genres. The crew’s diverse style and instrumental depth is breathtaking and a joy to listen to.

These guys are nothing short of amazing. Their gift to bend and shift sounds at will is astonishing as it provides an example for other musicians to attempt to emulate. Tracks like “No Parachute” and “Run Run” showcase their ability to inject crisp rhythmical and lyrical transitions at will while “Lately” and “Rain or Shine” offer plenty of crowd participation moments.

This is Planet Earth is one of those music collections that has the power transport you to that perfect moment in your life. Maybe it will take you back to your first kiss, smelling Mom’s homemade baked goods or having a good time with great friends. Personally, this EP reminds me of learning to play chess with Pop Dukes at the dining room table while artists like Hall and Oates and The Isley Brothers filled the air. In contrast, listening to This is Planet Earth gives me something to look forward to as we all bear witness to the continuum that is the evolution of music. This is a must-have for your music playlist, for you’ll have it in constant rotation. Enjoy! - Amped Sounds

The North Star Bar was the place to be Friday night as Philadelphia’s own Mo Lowda & The Humble celebrated the launch of their new album, Curse The Weather. It’s the bands first full-length and they made it a point to play it in its entirety, as well as some old jams.

Jordan Caiola’s deep and distinctive voice, as well as his eclectic guitar sound, is a breath of fresh air. Nate Matulis’s jazzy bass lines, mixed with Shane Woods’ technical drumming – at times explosively fast, make Mo Lowda’s music endlessly intriguing.

The band began their set with “Knocked Out,” the sixth track off of their new album. Jordan sang with a single guitar strum repeating in the background. The song then exploded into a sound that’s reminiscent of a My Morning Jacket chorus, only more nuanced and less ostentatious. Nate’s bass line provided a firm backbone to Jordan’s oftentimes-atmospheric guitar riffs.

“I Don’t Know,” the fourth song of the set and one of the singles off of the new album, seemed to be a crowd favorite. After the chorus, Jordan’s melodic guitar riffs transformed into an all out jam, during which the crowd sang along and danced. Shane’s fast and tight drum rolls accentuated Jordan’s aggressive guitar perfectly. The crowd became lost in a frenzy of fast paced alt-rock goodness.

The highlight of the set came right around the halfway point when saxophonist Sean Bailey appeared on stage during the song “Where the Whitetails Go.” Sean’s stage presence blended perfectly with an already great set. The chemistry between Sean and the rest of the band was on point.

Mo Lowda & The Humble have a sound that can be difficult to lump into one genre. They blend alternative and progressive rock, jazz and even funk. Be on the lookout for these guys in the future. - Jump Philly

The North Star Bar was the place to be Friday night as Philadelphia’s own Mo Lowda & The Humble celebrated the launch of their new album, Curse The Weather. It’s the bands first full-length and they made it a point to play it in its entirety, as well as some old jams.

Jordan Caiola’s deep and distinctive voice, as well as his eclectic guitar sound, is a breath of fresh air. Nate Matulis’s jazzy bass lines, mixed with Shane Woods’ technical drumming – at times explosively fast, make Mo Lowda’s music endlessly intriguing.

The band began their set with “Knocked Out,” the sixth track off of their new album. Jordan sang with a single guitar strum repeating in the background. The song then exploded into a sound that’s reminiscent of a My Morning Jacket chorus, only more nuanced and less ostentatious. Nate’s bass line provided a firm backbone to Jordan’s oftentimes-atmospheric guitar riffs.

“I Don’t Know,” the fourth song of the set and one of the singles off of the new album, seemed to be a crowd favorite. After the chorus, Jordan’s melodic guitar riffs transformed into an all out jam, during which the crowd sang along and danced. Shane’s fast and tight drum rolls accentuated Jordan’s aggressive guitar perfectly. The crowd became lost in a frenzy of fast paced alt-rock goodness.

The highlight of the set came right around the halfway point when saxophonist Sean Bailey appeared on stage during the song “Where the Whitetails Go.” Sean’s stage presence blended perfectly with an already great set. The chemistry between Sean and the rest of the band was on point.

Mo Lowda & The Humble have a sound that can be difficult to lump into one genre. They blend alternative and progressive rock, jazz and even funk. Be on the lookout for these guys in the future. - Jump Philly