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| The Van Burens Kicks Off National Tour Local band The Van Burens begins their first national tour with a kick-off show at The Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge on Friday, March 26. This long-awaited tour has been meticulously planned in support of The Van Burens' recently-released album "The Eager EP." Bass player Emmett Knox acknowledged, "the tour is something we've been talking about and planning for a long time and we're really looking forward to being on the road. We are fortunate to have so many loyal fans here in the Northeast, including Boston, Hartford, Brattleboro, Lebanon NH, and NYC. Our goal on tour is to make new friends and grow our fan base." Drummer Matt Spitz noted that the "band initially formed when we were all in middle school, so we've developed a great friendship along with our musical kinship. That should make this journey pretty special." A fun-loving and animated band, the Van Burens strive to make each concert experience unique. Whether hosting a bathrobe dance party, dressing up as Mt. Rushmore, remixing Christmas songs, or rollicking through a set list full of surprises, the VBs make every night a good time. The band – named after the eighth and greatest President of the United States, Martin Van Buren – began in earnest when Emmett, Matt, Jeff (keyboards) and "The Gregs" (guitarists Greg Smith and Greg Spitz) reformed the group post-college and began gigging at bars and house parties, boasting an eclectic catalog of original music and covers and displaying a singular sense of humor. Audiences went wild, and the Van Burens have been busy ever since. Their first EP, issued this past Fall, brings the dance party to your eardrums; just a taste of an exciting, diverse live show. Their sound is a unique mix of progressive, jam, funk, and electronica with a touch of jazz and classical flavoring. While the shows in their tour schedule are all electric, The Van Burens have been known to arrive in a friendly city, set up their acoustic instruments on a sunny street corner and play a set for passersby before setting off for their evening gig. Catch up with The Van Burens at The Middle East March 26 or The Beacon in Brattleboro, VT, on Saturday March 27. From there, "Ruby Pearl, " their illustrious van, heads south to Washington DC's The Red and The Black Bar for a show on Monday March 29. Their trip takes them to Chapel Hill, Atlanta, St. Louis, Iowa City, Madison, Denver, Prescott and San Francisco. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |