Adobanga ( pronounced Odd-Oh-Bang-Ga) was formed in 2008 by founding members Clayton D. Stanek and Michele Crook, who hired different musicians to play with them each show. Throughout the years, the band has seen many changes, with the current line-up being together for around a year.
So you know how to pronounce the name. Now, you might be asking, how did they come up with a name like that? Well, I had to ask and was told that the name is a derivative on the name of Ota Benga, a Congolese Mbuti pygmy from the late 1800’s. (Google him to read his amazing life story.)
Stanek has been classically trained on piano from the age of 8 and has collaborated with members of the Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soleil. He studied Jazz at Kirkwood and spent a number of years in los Angeles and Las Vegas. The other seven members all have very unique musical backgrounds as well.
When asked to describe Adobanga’s music, Stanek says, “If you took your favorite tracks from your parents and grandparents and your one well-traveled aunts music collection and had them hang out for an evening…..We would sound like the songs they all wrote in the morning.” If you couldn’t tell from that statement, when you attend an Adobanga show you can expect to hear a wide variety of genres such as blues, New Orleans Jazz, and polka, just to name a few. Be prepared for a high energy, visually captivating show, complete with amazing dance moves and harmonies from the ladies, Nikki and Bree. Also don’t be surprised if the band has an extra friend or two join them on stage.
What can you expect next from the band? Look for their second album “Guns Guns Guns Lassos Lassos Lassos” to be released in the early spring.
– Hilary Mahoney, Hoopla
LISTEN UP
- WHO: Clayton D. Stanek- keyboards, vocals; Bree Nettie, Nikki Dietze –vocals, percussion; Justin Crippen- acoustic guitar, vocals, percussion; Chris Cook- electric guitar; Adam Gill- bass; Jeff Gonzalez- drums; Nathan Parson- congas, auxiliary percussion, vocals. Adobanga’s Hoopla band page
- WHEN: Feb. 18 @ Tailgators in Coralville; Feb. 23 @ Yacht Club ( with Thankful Dirt) in Iowa City; Feb. 24 @ Cocktails and Company ( with The Revival) in Cedar Rapids; March 4 @ Parlor City in Cedar Rapids.
- MORE MUSIC: Adobanga.com or www.reverbnation.com/adobanga or on Facebook. Listen to songs here