The Motet have been grooving and pumping their eclectic, funky tunes across the world for the last ten years and have definitely made their claim as a must-see progressive funk band in a sea of acts these days. Known for their seasoned musical members, their amazingly fun, themed Halloween shows and their vibrant, infectious energy created by the unique, organically blissful sound that is The Motet, these cats know how to funk anything up. Recently joined by a new vocalist, Lyle Divinsky, and saxophonist Drew Sayers, you would never know these guys have only all been playing together for the last few months. We caught up with The Motet at Euphoria Music Festival last weekend in Austin, Texas, to ask them a few questions and get familiar with the new members.
CYM: Welcome to Texas…and with some new members. Last time being at Euphoria in 2014…Lyle, Drew, how was it been incorporating yourselves with the band? I know you both have pretty in depth musical backgrounds, but tell me what personal challenges and growths you have encountered forming together with the band being so fresh!
Lyle: Actually I’ve been pleasantly surprised because it’s been pretty seamless. We all run in similar circles and it was kind of like, ‘How haven’t we become friends already?’ It felt like family immediately.
CYM: Wonderful. So, are all of you from Denver?
Lyle: No, I am from Portland, Maine.
Drew: Some of us are East Coast, Dave from Denver. Coming from Brooklyn, myself.
CYM: I saw you guys have a big Red Rocks show coming up with Medeski, Martin & Wood and Vulfpeck. Tell me more about your Red Rocks experiences.
Drew: We have played there the last few years. We co-headlined a show last year with Lettuce and the year before that, we opened for Umphrey’s McGee and this is our very first headlining show.
CYM: Awesome! I know you guys love to get down for all your Halloween shows. I haven’t been able to catch one personally, but do you have anything special up your sleeves for this first headliner Red Rocks show?
Lyle: Whatever it is…it’s going to be crazy. We actually have a new record coming out, so we are going to be featuring a lot of that, lots of new music.
CYM: Right on! When can we expect that?
Drew: Soon!
The Motet: Summer…Summer!
Lyle: We are going to get this one out for before Red Rocks, so somewhat an album release show.
CYM: What other upcoming stuff can we look forward to from you all? Any other festivals on the list this season?
Ryan: Yes. We have an East Coast run coming up next weekend. Philly, D.C. and Virginia. We are doing Summer Camp and a few others leading up to it.
Joey: High Sierra, too.
Ryan: It’s going to be another busy Summer for us.
CYM: Which one are you looking forward to the most?
Lyle: Oh, it’s tough to say. Summer Camp is always a great time. We love High Sierra too, though. Peach Fest is great too, the lineup is nuts.
CYM: So a lot coming from you guys. A new album, lots of festival touring and hopefully something EPIC for Red Rocks on July 22nd.
The Motet: Definitely something epic.
CYM: Guess we will have to be there to find out! Thanks for the time guys and we look forward to all you have planned!
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