Zilla

Zilla is a band which had popularity from its conception. Their drummer, Michael Travis, happens to be the former drummer of the String Cheese Incident, their string instrument musician, Jamie Janover, was already a world renowned hammered dulcimer player, and Aaron Holstein, creator of the Vibesquad. Although they did not have to work to get noticed, their music defines creativity, and placed them firmly at the top of the improvisational/electronic genre. Most groups in this genre have 'songs' that are frequently played, but these 'songs' are used more as a guideline. This leaves the group free to improvise around the basic rhythms of this guideline. Zilla, on the other hand, is 100% improvised. This means that every single show is different from the previous one, making for a one of a kind experience every time. Even their studio albums are just clean, hi quality recordings from live shows. Born out of Boulder, Colorado, Zilla relies on their uncanny ability to listen and incorporate their individual talents into a rhythm focused style of live electronic dance music. Zilla has more of a repetitive, trance-like sound to it. The use of sitars and the hammered dulcimer give them an eastern sound. It is very relaxed, and every song builds from a simple melody into a complex piece of musical freeform experimentation. One of the goals of Zilla is to move away from the long soloing that is so much a part of improvisational jam music today. The collective whole is the dominant force of Zilla. This band, along with a few others, is attempting to redefine the very framework of what a jam band is. The success of Zilla, and others of the same style, definitely holds in store a bright future for this uplifting style of music.