There’s nothing better than a down home band showing love for its city.
That’s exactly what New Orleans-based Flow Tribe did Friday while performing to a large crowd at the Voodoo Music and Arts Experience.
Flow Tribe is composed of Chad Penot, K.C. O’Rorke, Mario Palmisano, John Michael Early, Russell Olschner and Bryan Santos. Along with the band’s essential groove, complete with a “Bustin’ Loose/Hot in Herre” mashup, Flow Tribe gave fans countless New Orleans shout outs throughout its set. Fans ate up the New Orleans appreciation, and Flow Tribe pulled off yet another successful Voodoo performance.
“I feel like we’ve gotten to a real good place to where we’re comfortable on stage, and we’re all just vibing with each other and having a good time,” drummer Olschner said. “That flows over our show and into the crowd.”
Olschner said Flow Tribe is especially dependent on crowd participation and feeding off an audience’s energy.
When the crowd is participating, Flow Tribe take performing to another level.
“They’re the seventh member of the band,” bassist Penot said.
For Penot, connecting with the crowd is the best part of performing live, he said.
Penot said Flow Tribe have found a special rhythm that allows the band to focus more on the audience and less on musical continuity.
“We have this groove together that’s second nature, so we don’t have to look for cues or be conscious of song tempos,” Penot said. “We can just lose ourselves in it and get people involved.”
Olschner and Penot are Flow Tribe’s rhythm section, which Olschner said allows them to “get in the pocket,” another great aspect of performing live together.
Getting “in the pocket” means to be totally in sync and on beat.
Flow Tribe are coming off a hectic touring month in October, including its Voodoo show, and Penot said the group is looking forward to a more relaxed November.
But even with the band’s break, Baton Rouge won’t have to wait too long to see Flow Tribe get “in the pocket.”
On Dec. 5, the band will be at The Roux House performing at the Running of the Santas.
Flow Tribe's K.C. O'Rorke shouts out lead vocals during the Voodoo Music and Arts festival on Oct. 31, 2015, in New Orleans City Park.
