Wachichoo

Native inspired, ‘Wachichoo’ play NYC’s Alternrock Festival this month. The Brooklyn five piece released their third EP last year featuring single, ‘Product.’ They’ve got a busy year ahead of them, where they hope to release more material and get a couple of extra limos. I asked them a few questions about the rise of their band name, future plans and what’s on their playlist at the moment.

How did your brilliantly snappy name come about?

One of the first songs we wrote together reminded us of a galloping buffalo. The name of that song became “Tatanka”; and we thought of the idea of combining Native symbolism with this galloping funk sound we were making. The “Wachichoo” name came from the word given to settlers at the name, literally it meant “Man With Upside Down Face”.

We latched on to that, and it’s just stuck. Plus, it’s a really fun, musical name to say & we dominate Google!

Where did the idea for your Red Indian themed visuals from?

Our good buddy on the west coast Lucas (https://www.facebook.com/musicformusiclovers) is a mad scientist designer who took our music and used his extra-sensory design skills to translate that sound onto canvas.

You obviously draw your influences from far and wide to develop your unique blend of genres. What artists made you want to be part of a band?

Growing up , it was always about boom-box taping RUN-DMC off of a thing called “Music Television”. I sooo wanted to be those guys & me & my brother would put on little shows in the living room for my parents performing “It’s Tricky” and “You Be Illin’”. A bunch of us have always gone to rock shows too, and we wanted to capture the energy of raw live performance from seeing bands like Foo Fighters, Jane’s Addiction and Helmet.

‘Product’, Wachichoo’s third EP was released almost a year ago. Have you got any plans in place for your next EP?

This is the winter of our best record yet. We’re demoing songs for our next EP now, and are doing bits of jamming to bring all our little ideas to life in the studio.

You’re playing as part of NYC’s Alternarock Festival, are you looking forward to it?

YES! It’s going to be a super duper lineup, and we always love hanging out in the e.vil.

What are you currently listening to at the moment?

Right now, this great album by Fela Kuti – “Music is the Weapon of the Future”

How is 2012 shaping up for you?

EXCITEMENT is the word for Wachichoo – new recording, bigger shows, more limos and a bigger entourage!!

Come check us out live! You won’t likely see anything like this band anywhere else!
Nov 16 – Local 269, 8pm
Dec 9th – Fundraiser at Bardot Heights
Dec 13th – Bowery Electric, 11pm - Hayleyffox

Wachichoo found their sweet spot with the addition of Ashanti J'aria. Five seconds at a Miss Peppermint gig at Empire Room and the guys welcomed her aboard. Here's Wachichoo, bringing their infectious energy, an electic mix of rock, rap, funk, and soul to the NYC Alternarock Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM-KyMetFZY
- Rooted Grass Music

There is nothing better than seeing a band that absolutely loves what they are doing and who they are doing it with.

On Wednesday night (11/16), Brooklyn band Wachichoo played a soulful and passionate set at The Local 269 as part of the Alternarock Festival.

Wachichoo’s music spans multiple genres, blending them into something original. Stephanie’s singing was soulful and jazzy, which brought another level of depth to the urban vibe Ill-on’s rapping and vocals gave the songs. Chris’ keyboards and synths, Dominic’s drumming and Jamie’s bass playing provided a great background and steady beat for the songs, proving that you don’t need the traditional rock guitar to make good music. Put together, the band comes out swinging with an amazing groove and energy.

Making their way through songs off of their self-titled and Product EPs, it became quite evident that the band has an amazing energy and chemistry with each other. Most noticeably, the way Stephanie and Ill-on worked the stage together gave just as much meaning and energy to the songs as the words themselves. You could see and feel the connection between the two of them as they went back and forth on stage, at times dancing and grinding with each other. Also a testament to the band’s strength and creativity together, after they played their final song, the poppy jazz-funk single “Don’t Bother Me,” they were told they had a few more minutes on stage. Not having anything else planned, the band came up with a high-energy, off-the-cuff freestyle jam that was so co-ordinated that it’s hard to believe that they never rehearsed it before. - The Examiner

"They definitely got my attention with their electro-funk-rock-soul sound. I love how the video tells a story of two people trying to make a connection and end of traveling all over NYC. The G train cameo alone makes me slightly biased.

This band is very soulful and if this is their debut single I definitely look forward to see what else this band has to offer." - G-STYLE MAG.COM

"The band is well known for rocking out shows all over New York and are constantly gaining new fans as a result..." - The Breezy Effect

Wachichoo has graced the Rad Collector’s readers and fans with this dope free download.If you are in New York City for Cinco de Mayo you should stop by Wicked Willy’s at 9pm to catch them live! I have seen them twice and they are tight. The lead singing duo has great chemistry and our good friend Java slays the Bass. Enjoy! - Rad Collector