The weekend warrior approach works for a lot of bands. It goes something like this -- work a 9-to-5 job, practice when you can and play every Friday and Saturday. Lucky bands from this area can occasionally squeeze in a Tulsa or Little Rock gig, too.
It worked for Groovement for a while. Now the musicians are after something more.
FAQ
Groovement
CD Release Party
WHEN — 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE — George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville
COST — $10
INFO —groovementband.com
BONUS — The first 100 through the door will get a copy of the new album “Clouds.”
"We're serious about this music. We've moved past the weekend warrior stage," says Groovement lead singer Alex Carr.
And they've moved into new territory, too, courtesy of their new album "Clouds." The Fayetteville-based band celebrates the release of that new record on Saturday night with a concert at George's Majestic Lounge. Joining them will be one-man soul act Henry and the Invisibles, the soul plus rhythm and blues outfit Branjae and local rockers Isayah's Allstars. The first 100 to arrive for the 8 p.m. show will receive a copy of "Clouds."
Groovement has performed around Northwest Arkansas for several years. When the band debuted, it featured a female vocalist and a different lineup of musicians as well. The sound and roster has evolved into its current state -- a six-piece funk rock band fronted by Carr, an "American Idol" contestant in 2011. Groovement released its debut, "Positive Step," that same year. This album takes the band in a slightly different direction.
"It took a grown folks turn," Carr says. "It's the type of music that took four years to write."
Indeed, the band was working on several of the songs included on "Clouds" immediately following the release of the debut. The musicians recorded the work piece by piece at drummer Bryan Burkhart's Sound Source Studios. Burkhart engineered and produced the album as well.
The lyrics and theme may have matured, but the underlying sound remains. The band once self-described its output as "Groovement sounds like Robert Randolph and Stevie Wonder ate some New Orleans Red Hot Chili Peppers; more easily described as: high-energy funk-rock." They add saxophone, keyboards, trumpet and trombone to the standard rock and bass and drums combination.
The band members are handling publicity, booking and producing the record via their combined talents.
"We don't need that (management) until we're too busy, and that's coming soon," says guitarist Trey Burkett. The new record is "a kick in the pants" to help them advance that cause, Burkhart says.
Many of the members of Groovement also work in other bands, but Groovement is now the primary gig for the group members, they agree. The band hopes to expand its touring range, having already traveled as far away as Colorado for gigs.
"This is becoming the No. 1 priority," Burkhart says. "It has the potential to do something bigger."
The band will hit the road soon after the local show, traveling to Texas, Colorado, Iowa and places in between along the way. Groovement will return to town for a main stage set at Bikes, Blues & BBQ in late September.
NAN What's Up on 08/14/2015