Water Seed put on a funkadelic set at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
There are few bands that are able to lift you from your seat, get your ass dancing and shake you to the core. This month, at The Bitter End, we came across a seductively ferocious, untamed and blistering hot act that had the entire venue moving their hips – forcing us to fall victim to the funkalicious grooves and electrifying vocals of this incredible New Orleans based band.
Water Seed live at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Water Seed is soulfully wicked, progressively complex and dynamically elegant. The indie-band’s indulging appetite for keen musicianship, passionate lyrics and uncontainable energy illustrate Water Seed’s versatility that spans the sounds of funk, jazz, gospel and soul. Deeply rooted in rhythm and classical music, Water Seed seeks to rekindle a unique flame in independent music that relishes on originality and creativity.
J Sharp on the keys live at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Originated by multi-instrumentalist Lou Hill, Water Seed delivered a high-energy performance equipped with affable melodies and an innovating sound that's conquered the hearts of audiences nationwide. Water Seed stunned us all that evening with empowering vocals, gorgeously soothing beats and romanticizing keys – coupled with a funk-infused style that had the West Village pumping.
Lou Hill was an incredible force on drums and played a perfect host for the packed out Bitter End crowd. We were hooked by Hill’s groovy rhythms and agile beats, providing a volcanic addition to Water Seed’s dominating showcase. His drum play was gripping, ill and explosive. Thoughtfully tooled with personality and charisma, Hill’s soulful and jazzy performance had us on our feet the entire set.
Lou Hill getting down on the drums at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Jentleman Sharp’s (J Sharp) fantastic play on the keys offered a tendered and sophisticated sound that resonated from the keyboardist’s savvy and polished compositions. His performance was breathtaking – poised, charismatic and lean. His play levitated us from our seats, calling us to focus on him and the band as a whole. His acute sense of strategic music arrangements offered more depth and complexity to Water Seed’s already multifaceted sound.
Shaleyah on vocals at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Shaleyah and Berkley the Artist sing away at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Lead singers, Shaleyah and Berkley the Artist, were outstanding throughout the evening. Their soulful and gospel-esque vocalists carried the room towards the stage and never let us go. They elicited powerful melodies and tantalizing hymns that paired perfectly with the bands Nawlins party funk and choir praising style. Along with an array of orchestral-trained instrumentalists and renowned flutist, Chinese, Shaleyah and Berkley conquered the legendary Bitter End with a party-like atmosphere that collectively struck our desires of great music and dance.
Chinese on flute at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Water Seed is not only one of the biggest emerging artists coming out of the Big Easy – they’re a movement – a transforming marathon that graciously offers a unique infused look at how contemporary funk, jazz and soul should work together. Stemming from the sounds of both new and old, this high-energy, electrifying future-funk coalition has funked the hell out of some of the biggest joints in the country. Along with a relentless advocacy for empowering rhythms, soulful melodies, church wailing vocals and just straight up funkadelic rifts, Water Seed is a game changer in the independent music scene.
Berkley the Artist and Chinese live at The Bitter End. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
This is a must watch for anyone who wishes to experience an electrified show filled with blood-pumping music and an impressive live act. Get funked up with this revered all-star cast today and catch them in a city near you.
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