Let It Flow: Three Years on the Road and at last a Studio Album

Originally published in Northern Express (January 2003)

How could a group of five young musicians from Michigan tackle something as enigmatic as calypso-bayou-soul, and be really good at it? It's a tricky question. But over the last three years, The Flow has transformed their sound into its own kind of art form. Part of it might be youthful enthusiasm and having each been brought up in a family that encouraged musicianship at a young age. Plenty of dedication and openness to new forms of music didn't hurt, either.

Each member of The Flow played previously in at least one other gigging band. Guitarist Zack Pearce and vocalist Ted Moss once played together in an acoustic project called Shangri-La. Guitarist Jeff Warner played in Gene Pool and headed up a few endeavors of his own here in Traverse City, also in his hometown of Flint, prior to joining the flow in 2001. Bass player Brett Bielski and drummer John Cassidy formed the rhythmic core for a nationally touring band called the Jawas. But creative differences within their respective bands resulted in a new direction that brought them all together. And this time, it looks like they've struck a chord.

"We were playing together at the time and we decided to start something new," said Bielski. "We knew these other guys who wanted to play with us, and it all fell together at the same time. Everybody was in the right place at the right time." What is striking about their sound is each player's ability to blend into the band as a whole. Vocalist Ted Moss integrates hand drums or shakers as he sings, while Brett Bielski and Jeff Warner reciprocate with rich vocal contributions while playing bass and guitar. And they're not merely filling space, either. The backing vocals play as big a part as the Family Stone's did for Sly. The resulting sound is tightly connected, never lagging.

But what is it about world music that five young musicians from Michigan would find so captivating?

"The grooves are so much funkier," Cassidy explains. "There is more of a dance element. If you listen to calypso, for example, the little rhythms weave a basket of funkiness," he laughs. He is a serious student of the music, having learned the hand drumming techniques of many cultures—African, Indian and Cuban to name a few—also one of a handful of drummers capable of mustering the lung power to play the didgeridoo while keeping the beat on a drum kit.

"If you want to go out and see bands that are playing this sort of thing, it's extremely difficult. Detroit's Festival of Colors is one of the largest free 'world' music festivals in the world. But as far as a constant source, it's hard to find. Even jazz is getting to be that way, and it's a pure American art form." Their 12-song, 67-minute studio debut is filled with upbeat, swirling melodies. Its title, Aurelius, is borrowed from the name of the road in Lansing where it all came together.

"We recorded it here. We wrote it here. We live here," said John Cassidy. After three years of diligent touring, the band was faced with a decision between spending several thousand dollars on studio time or investing that money building their own studio from the ground up.

"Initially we recorded a couple of songs at Station C Studios in Grand Rapids. The sound quality was great but it sounded a little sterile, we thought," explains Cassidy. "We wanted to better capture the live experience." They decided to try it on their own, setting up a recording studio at home. Their heavy touring schedule hadn't previously allowed for much recording time. The Flow's only release to date had been the Live at Union Street Station CD recorded in Traverse City during a few dates in August 2000. At that time in the band's history, a multi-instrumentalist named Diego Riviera was a featured performer in their regular line-up. "He was the obvious choice for tenor sax and flute," said John, referring to the song "Banana Boat," (which called for a horn section) and also "Honey & Ham," to which he also lends an excellent contribution. Former band mates Paul Lizinski and Mark Freed also lent their touch on keyboards and organ. Several other friends and musicians also played a contributing role. Their patience has produced a studio album that is upbeat and well balanced.

With four trips to Colorado already to their credit, The Flow is gearing up for a summer tour that will take them as far as the west coast. Now that the foundation has been laid, the band is eager to record a second full-length CD before taking to the road this summer. "We went through a big learning curve. The next one's going to be even better," says Bielski.

Catch The Flow at the Loading Dock in Traverse City on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. Aurelius is available at Horizon Books and New Moon Records in Traverse City; or visit their web site for more information at www.theflowmusic.com.