With diverse music styles including blends of funk, psychedelic rap and hip-hop, Athens-born band SassafraZ is headed back home.
For its Homecoming Weekend performance, SassafraZ will be taking the stage at Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery, 24 W. Union St., alongside frequent collaborator Emcee Schwartz.
The event also doubles as a celebration of the release of Schwartz’s solo album, Altered Beast, which he wrote, produced and mixed himself. With Schwartz on stage alongside the band, the show will have more of a hip-hop feel this weekend.
“My vibe as an emcee rolls together great with the band,” said Schwartz, who has been collaborating with the band for years.
Another addition to the performance is After Funk, a band from Canada that recently performed with SassafraZ for three shows. The band started playing in the States this spring, and will be opening for SassafraZ this weekend.
SassafraZ has had a history of collaborating with various artists. Jack Gould, saxophone and keyboards for the band, said the band has a more diverse sound to its performances, instead of “the same thing every show.”
The band’s style can vary from genre to genre depending on who the band performs with.
“Our band is a blank slate for vocalists,” Gould said. “ Each of them brings out different songs and different ideas in us.”
While SassafraZ and Schwartz have played many different cities, they still enjoy playing in Athens. Like many of the folks coming back this weekend, they hope to meet up with old friends and enjoy the nostalgia together. The acts are also very excited to play at Jackie O’s again, one of the original venues SassafraZ played at.
“If you come to see the music, you won’t be disappointed,” said Schwartz.
The band will be performing at the third installment of its creation, the Frazzletown music festival. The festival will take place at Skully’s Music Diner in Columbus on December 13. SassafraZ and Tropidelic, along with deejays between acts, will be the only bands attending. The festival will be free admission.
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