:: Welcome to Madison Music Review :: New Monsoon in Madison, WI, May 11, 2008, The Majestic

New Monsoon
SUNDAY, May 11 at The Majestic - by Ankur Malhotra

Photo by Susan J Weiand

Link to the band's website: newmonsoon.com
Listen to New Monsoon: newmonsoon.com/media
Buy tickets to the show online or at the box office

We've had our share of cold, rain and snow (and some great shows) in Madison this year and it's about time summer got here. As monsoon clouds begin to gather half a world away, we have San Francisco jam band New Monsoon set to usher in the summer festival mood for Mad city denizens with their blend of instrumentals and vocals that will have you in the groove in an instant. As their name suggests, the band fuses strong vocals and harmonies, electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin, bass and keyboards to create music that is interesting, compelling and 'new' sounding. The band's music is influenced by a diverse body of star musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Santana, bluesman Mississippi John Hurt and world music pioneers Tito Puente, Shakti and Peter Gabriel.

New Monsoon has been touring relentlessly since it's inception in 2001, and their committment to the live music scene and their fans has resulted in a progressively tighter sounding, more magical live show. I had the opportunity to see New Monsoon at Bonnaroo '04 and Summerfest a few years ago and if you are a fan of rock n' roll and live music I highly recommend catching them at The Majestic this Sunday. Madison's Runs Side Down open for the band. See you at the show! Cheers - Ankur