The Motet: Funking Up Your Wedding

will the motet funk band play at a wedding

The Motet is a funk, soul, and jazz-influenced group based in Denver, Colorado. The band was founded in 1998 by drummer and bandleader Dave Watts and has since performed at various festivals and events, including weddings. The Motet is known for its energetic and immaculate live performances, unique sound, and seamless blend of different music genres. They have released several albums, including their self-titled album The Motet in 2014, showcasing their vintage funk sounds. With a rotating cast of musicians over the years, the band continues to explore new sonic ideas and has a fervent fanbase that enjoys their danceable music.

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The Motet's style: a blend of funk, soul, jazz, rock, and more

The Motet is an American funk, soul, and jazz-influenced group based in Denver, Colorado. Drummer and bandleader Dave Watts founded the band in 1998 as a musical collective with a rotating cast of musicians. Over the years, The Motet has evolved into a tight-knit sextet, with each member contributing to the band's unique style and cohesive musical chemistry.

The Motet's sound is a dynamic blend of funk, soul, jazz, rock, and more. They seamlessly fuse diverse genres, incorporating elements of Afro-beat, Latin, world music, folk, and techno into their songs. Their music is known for its energetic and immersive live performances, with a fervent fanbase spanning the nation. The band has sold out shows and headlined at renowned festivals such as Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, and Red Rocks.

The Motet's early music was primarily written and arranged by Watts, with the drummer-turned-producer utilizing his skills to create vibrant, danceable tunes. Their debut release, "Breathe," showcased their early incorporation of funk, jazz, and world music influences. As the band evolved, their sound expanded and matured, with each member bringing their own creative input to the table.

The Motet's self-titled seventh studio album, released in 2014, is a testament to their collaborative spirit. Each band member contributed to the writing process, spending hundreds of hours in the studio to create vintage funk sounds. This album marked a new era for the band, as they continued to explore and expand their musical horizons.

The band's commitment to their craft and their willingness to experiment have earned them critical acclaim. Reviews from publications like AllMusic and Boulder Weekly have praised their "flawless production," "ambitious" sound, and their growth as individuals and as a band. The Motet continues to push the boundaries of their music, constantly exploring new sonic ideas and showcasing their exceptional talent.

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The band's history and members

The Motet is an American funk, soul, and jazz-influenced group based in Denver, Colorado. The band was founded in 1998 by drummer and bandleader Dave Watts as a musical collective with a rotating cast of musicians. By 2000, the group had become a sextet consisting of Watts on drums, percussionist and vocalist Jans Ingber, percussionist Scott Messersmith, guitarist Mike Tiernen, bassist Kurt Reeber, and organist-keyboardist Steve Vidiac.

Watts, Ingber, and Messersmith travelled to Cuba twice to study bata drums of the Santeria religion, which heavily influenced the band's sound, particularly on their first two albums. The band's debut release, "Breathe", was self-released in 1999 and produced entirely by Watts. Their second album, "Play", was released in 2001, followed by their third album, "Live", in 2002.

Over the years, The Motet's lineup has evolved, and the current band consists of Dave Watts (drums), Joey Porter (keys), Garrett Sayers (bass), Drew Sayers (keys and saxophone), Ryan Jalbert (guitar), and singer Sarah Clarke, who joined in 2023. The band has released seven studio albums, including their 2014 self-titled album, which was co-written and produced by all band members. They are known for their energetic live performances and have toured nationally, performing at various festivals such as Bonnaroo, Electric Forest Festival, and High Sierra Music Festival.

The Motet has a fervent fanbase and has sold out shows across the nation. They have performed seven headlining slots at Red Rocks and continue to explore new sonic ideas, showcasing each other's skill sets. The band has also released DVDs, such as "Shine" in 2004, and their 2023 instrumental album, "All Day".

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The Motet's albums and notable songs

The Motet is an American funk, soul, and jazz-influenced group based in Denver, Colorado. They are known for their energetic live performances and have sold out shows across the nation, including six headlining slots at Red Rocks. The group was formed in the late '90s and has built a loyal following through heavy touring and a unique, cross-pollinated sound.

The Motet has released seven studio albums, including their self-titled album "The Motet", released in 2014, which showcases the band's commitment to pushing the sonic envelope while remaining true to their musical roots. The album features songs such as "Like We Own It", "123", "Rynodub", and "Keep On Don't Stoppin'".

Their other albums include "Instrumental Dissent" (2006), which blends funk, Afro-beat, Latin, and world sounds with electronic touches, "Dig Deep" (2009), inspired by Fela Kuti, and "Totem" (2016). The band also released an all-instrumental album, "All Day", in 2023, before adding vocalist Sarah Clarke to their lineup.

The Motet's earlier albums include their debut release, "Breathe" (1999), which was self-released and produced by bandleader Dave Watts. This was followed by "Play" (2001) and "Live" (2002). The band has also performed at various festivals, including Bonnaroo, Electric Forest Festival, and High Sierra Music Festival, showcasing their dynamic sound and engaging performances.

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Live performances and tours

The Motet is an American funk, soul, jazz, and rock band based in Denver, Colorado. The band was founded in 1998 by drummer and bandleader Dave Watts, who remains the only constant member. The current lineup includes guitarist Ryan Jalbert, bassist Garrett Sayers, keyboardist Joey Porter, saxophonist Drew Sayers, and singer Sarah Clarke, who joined in 2023.

Known for their energetic and immaculate live performances, The Motet has built a fervent fanbase and sold-out shows across the nation. They have also performed at various festivals, including Bonnaroo, Electric Forest Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, and Summer Camp Festival. In addition to their regular tours, the band hosts an annual Halloween concert, where they pay tribute to another influential band by building a set of songs and shows around what they call "a musical costume."

The Motet has released seven studio albums, including their 2014 self-titled album, which was co-written and produced by all band members. Their most recent album, "Love Time," showcases the vocal talents of their new singer, Sarah Clarke. The band has received praise for their unique style and cohesive musical chemistry, with Dave Kirby of the Boulder Weekly describing their sound as "ambitious, airtight and built to travel."

While The Motet has not explicitly advertised themselves as a wedding band, they have performed at various private events and are known for their ability to get the crowd moving. Their high-energy performances and diverse repertoire, ranging from funk and soul to jazz and rock, make them a versatile choice for any event.

Although there is no information specifically about weddings on their website, The Motet can be contacted through their management, 7S Management, for booking inquiries. It is worth noting that the band's popularity and busy tour schedule may impact their availability for private events.

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The band's creative process and evolution

The Motet is a funk six-piece band formed over two decades ago in Denver, Colorado. The band consists of Dave Watts on drums, Joey Porter and Drew Sayers on keys, Garrett Sayers on bass, Ryan Jalbert on guitar, and Sarah Clarke as the singer. Over the years, The Motet has developed a unique style and cohesive musical chemistry through their symbiosis and collaborative work ethic. Each member of the band bolsters one another, contributing to their creative output and immaculate live performances.

The Motet's music seamlessly blends funk, soul, jazz, and rock, creating a unique sound that has garnered them a fervent fanbase. They have sold out shows across the nation and performed at renowned festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bottlerock, Electric Forest, and Summer Camp. Their success and longevity can be attributed to their constant exploration of new sonic ideas and their ability to showcase each other's skill sets.

The band's creative process is driven by their collaborative approach and their willingness to experiment. They draw inspiration from various musical genres and incorporate a range of influences into their sound. The Motet's interlocking dynamics and symbiosis have led to a unique and evolving creative process, as they continue to explore new musical directions.

The Motet's evolution can be traced through their extensive discography. Their 10th studio album, "All Day," released in January 2023, showcases their signature grooves and layered arrangements. The band continues to evolve with new songs and fresh arrangements of their classic tracks, ensuring their sound remains dynamic and relevant.

The Motet's creative process and evolution are characterized by their collaborative dynamics, musical exploration, and commitment to showcasing their individual talents. Their unique sound and live performances have solidified their place as a legendary outfit in the music industry, with a dedicated fanbase that continues to grow.

Frequently asked questions

No, The Motet is a funk, soul, jazz, rock band. They are not a wedding band.

While there is no information on hiring The Motet to play at weddings, the band has performed at various festivals and sold-out shows across the nation. You can try reaching out to the band via their website or social media.

The Motet is a funk band with influences from soul, jazz, folk, world music, and rock. Their music is described as "dance music" with a unique style and cohesive musical chemistry.

The Motet is based in Denver, Colorado, and was founded in 1998.

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