Creative people are crazy. Period. Full stop. And not because of chemical imbalances in the brain, but because their work leaves them vulnerable. Often, they aren’t able to separate themselves from it, so every critique is seen either as a validation, or condemnation of their self-worth.
The Flowdown has always nurtured a safespace environment, wherein each band member has had equal creative say. It’s that sense of community that comes across through the music, time and again - much like how science still fails to explain the “how” and “why” of creativity - yet, creative individuals know instinctively how to flow into it... time and time again.
A true alchemy of jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop and world elements, The Flowdown listener can hear the genres separately, yet, there is a single sound that emerges as a whole.
With the latest release “yo-lk,” on Infinity Gritty / Ropeadope Records, The Flowdown weaves us through an appropriately eclectic journey: avant-jazz pop, transitory lo-fi, quarantine-cut neo-spirituals, and a modern, all-out blues catharsis.
The band members, too, are a reflection of a diversity that embodies the New York Musician: Gavi Grodsky (guitar) was born in Israel, Lavondo Thomas (bass) is well-traveled with Middle-America roots, Pablo Eluchans (drums) hails from Santiago, Chile, Brooklyn-native Srikala Kerel Roach (percussion, vocals) thrives in the Vedic tradition, and Adam Ahuja (keys, vocals) is an American with a mixed heritage of India, Italy and Ireland.
The “yo-lk” EP arrives as the latest chapter of the band’s music spanning a 15-year range, which includes albums “Flowdown Street Six’s The Synthesis” (2005), “Metamorphosis” (2011) and “WorldSpeak” (2016).
In art, it is impossible to give what you don’t have. You can only take someone as far as you have gone yourself. An anonymous writer once said: “an artist must scream at the page, if they want a whisper to be heard.” The Flowdown is the scream and the whisper.
‘Ahz’ and ‘Ice Cremation’ written by Ahuja, Eluchans, Grodsky, and Thomas & recorded at Pinch Recording (NYC) by recording engineer E Scott Lindner.
‘Halftime’ written and recorded in individual quarantines respectively by Ahuja, Eluchans, Grodsky, and Thomas and Srikala.
‘Cole’ written and recorded live by Ahuja, Eluchans, Grodsky, and Thomas in a rehearsal room somewhere in NYC.
‘Ahz’ lyrics written by Adam Ahuja
‘Halftime’ lyrics written by Srikala
All tracks mixed by E Scott Lindner (Pinch Recording)
All tracks mastered by Kevin Blackler (Blackler Mastering)
Produced by The Flowdown
Rich, deep, thoughtful quality indie rock from good friends' and guests musicians of The Flowdown; some of Miles material was written together and recorded with Adam of The Flowdown on Keys. The Flowdown
Yup, funk! Gorgeous album, every track a winner. There's a degree of Ill Considered in the sound, so if you like them, definitely check this out. Peter Jones
This album is incredible from start to finish. It is a great display of a career steeped in musical diversity. Was listening to this in my car during a longish drive back home recently and Calhoun Square had me whooping and hollering! What a band! saxcellent