SAVANNAH DELGROSS
Arts & Life Editor
Man-buns, denim shirts, beards, converse, a saxophone. They looked like they’d just spent years jamming in their mother’s garage and were finally old enough (and bearded enough) to start a career.
Dressed like teenagers, yet mature in their face and nostalgic in sound, the band, Osage, brought funky vibes to the Bandersnatch last Friday night. Their sound was reminiscent of 70’s soul with vocals like Stevie Wonder, yet familiar by mixing alternative-rock beats like Radiohead.
Osage, the headlining band of seven members, from Granville, Ohio, recently recognized their talents and moved to Columbus for more opportunities. CLIC brought them back to their hometown on Mar. 4 to showcase their new and improved talents.
The Columbus band, The High Definitions, was the opening act. Their head-banging, hard rock contrasted with Osage’s groovy tunes, but invigorated the audience before Osage took the stage.
Self-described as “a soulful Funkadelic roots rock band,” Osage’s sound is an enjoyable medley of different genres from different eras. One moment you’ll feel like you should be doing the moonwalk, the next, you just want to bob your head, close your eyes and take it all in.
It’s hard to pinpoint its exact genre, but concert attendee Molly Keisman ’19 best described it as “a cool fusion of jazz and funk.”
The attendees were interesting to watch. Because of the band’s variation in style and sound, the audience responded in different ways.
Everyone was feeling the music in their own distinct way – interpreting and feeling its vibe, just as music should.
Some students swayed back and forth while in line for a milkshake, others who were slumped on the couches in the back of the room bopped their heads in sync with one another. A small crowd chose to dance close to the stage, moving their hands sporadically or flowingly, as if directing ebb and flow of the band’s beat. From chill moments meant to just listen, to groovy dance moments, the audience responded accordingly.
“The funk was real. The jazzy bits woven in made me want to sip a martini by the piano,” said concert attendee Olivia Mader ’19. Based on people’s intense stares at walls during the instrumental breaks, the band certainly provoked people’s imagination.
Long instrumental breaks allowed the saxophone to standout. This jazzy element unpredictably meshed nicely with the modern, alternative rock sound.
The band’s experimental sound offered a funky alternative to the mainstream music played at a sweaty sunnies party on a Friday night. But, most importantly, Osage transfixed the audience with their authentic talent.