Bio

What could possibly make a man who has lived in Cairo, Kaua’i and Tokyo want to lay down roots in Santa Cruz, California of all places? Believe it or not.. Hip Hop. After years of rocking shows with the traditional format of DeeJay and Emcee, Blyndsite front man, Mr Free turned to percussionist Karl Williams to assemble a core of high octane musicians to guide his sound in a new direction. The result has given rise to a sound that ranges from raw east coast hip hop to roots rock reggae.

With three albums under his belt – Lay Up Lines: The Mixtape (2006), Writes of Passage (2009), andThe Edge with the Misanthropist (2011) — Mr Free has drawn comparisons to the likes of Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Black Thought. Conscious, dynamic, and politically aware, his lyrics range from powerful to provocative, self-reflective to downright spiritual. Mr Free’s easy flowing style, intellectual slant on world affairs, and passion for the environment opens up hearts and minds, appealing to people on all levels and from every age group.

Mr Free was already a musical force to be reckoned with, but now with the backing of a live, 6-piece band, he has truly taken things to another level. The diverse array of sounds encompass an eclectic mix of influences: driving hip hop, laid back and melodic R&B cuts, smooth jazz, and pulsing reggae.This is not your average hip-hop show — instead of just nodding their heads to an infectious bass beat, audiences will find themselves drawn to the dance floor as melodies command their bodies to move and groove to sassy, sensual rhythms.

The musicians that make up Blyndsite are all seasoned professionals in their respective fields. Karl Williams on percussion is the band’s rhthymic anchor, while Etienne Franc’s bass line brings the funky goodness. David Long, the band’s keyboardist, is a classically trained pianist, while lead guitarist Avi Zev draws from his rock background for guitar solos that would make Hendrix proud.

Blyndsite has no shortage of fierce women either. Anne Stafford, on saxophone and flute, will blow your mind with her power and versatility. The group is rounded out by Lisa Taylor, whose vocals epitomize the essence of woman–smooth and silky, yet strong enough to hold her own against the pounding drums and bass.

Put it all together and you’ve got an impressive collection of talent to provide backing for their front man, Mr Free. Blyndsite is more than just a band, it is an experience, well worth the price of admission.