Welcome back to The Room3 Report: An informal newsletter keeping you up to date on all upcoming performances, music releases, merch drops, and general happenings in the world of Room3.

It's been a tumultuous week in Minneapolis, to say the least. Though we rarely make "political" public statements on behalf of the band, it feels wrong not to acknowledge the tragedy that occurred in our home this past week. Following the killing of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of a federal officer in South Minneapolis last Wednesday, our community has been hit with a massive wave of grief, confusion, and frustration. What happened was terrifying, and the response from the Trump administration, reframing and misconstruing the truth, only amplifies the tragedy.

The overwhelming communal response to this blatant and violent injustice offers a glimmer of hope, though. It's a beautiful thing to see so many people come together under a common goal: To expel a force that threatens the peace and vibrancy of our community. We love and cherish our immigrant community, for the new perspectives they bring and their everyday contributions that make Minneapolis a better place. We are a band that features first-gen immigrants, and the blending of our varying perspectives is what makes us great (if I do say so myself).

With all that being said, we hope everyone is keeping a level head in these difficult times. The fight is far from over, I fear, but if we continue to band together and show up as a city in the same way we have in the last week, I am optimistic that peace and love will prevail.

Read on for some Room3 updates and a timely album/live concert recommendation from our percussionist - Evan Espinoza Robles.

Stay safe friends.

What's happening??

We had a wonderful time serving as the house band for The Star Tribune's annual "The Wrap" year-in-review showcase on January 3rd. Threw on our favorite suits and played to a room full of the Twin Cities' current movers & shakers in many industries (food, politics, journalism, etc.). Huge shoutout to the Strib for the invitation and their hospitality throughout the evening.

** Big takeaway of the night - Khue's Kitchen knows how to throw down. Book a table at their brick and mortar over in the Saint Anthony area if you're into Vietnamese cuisine! **

Our next tentative show on Feb. 4 is not yet announced, and honestly not even confirmed just yet, but if it pans out it'll be one for the ages. Yet another opportunity to open for our heroes. Stay tuned...

Recorded music 

Still working on the second album. Six of nine songs are written and ready for recording! This one is going to be a bit more conceptual, with a loose story threaded through the album. As of now, the hope is to get this thing written, recorded, mixed, mastered, and in your hands by the end of the year.

Concert footage

Nothing new to report here. Planning to capture more live footage at all of our upcoming Spring shows. Check out our YouTube (@room3collective) to revisit some old live concerts!

Merch

New iterations of the classic “Room3” T-shirt are available at all of our live shows! Now in Pink and Dark Purple for $30 a pop. “Bill’s Garden” CDs are also available for $15. Working on getting these online so we can ship them to your doorstep!

This week: ALBUM - "Zombie" by Fela Kuti / LIVE PERFORMANCE - Fela Kuti / Africa 70 Live in Berlin @ Berliner Jazztage (1978)

Fela Kuti (1938-1997) was a revolutionary Nigerian musician, bandleader, and political activist, widely regarded as the leading innovator of Afrobeat. 

Stemming from West African Highlife, American jazz/funk, and a dash of Afro-Cuban rhythms and psychedelic soul, the Afrobeat sound was co-crafted by Fela’s drummer and music director Tony Allen. Avoiding the predictable 2&4 backbeat, implying a clave via syncopated snare figures, and really James Brown-ifying the groove with not one, but TWO kicks on the “1," the drums create tension while never sacrificing the depth of the pocket. Then you add in the classic Fela move: Three different guitar parts with simple rhythmic melodies sustained for 5-8 minutes, all before any words are sung, forcing the listener to live inside the groove.

The 1978 Berliner Jazztage performance below features Fela's legendary band, the “Africa 70." This concert shows just how powerful these elements can be when performed live, especially when you add in a horn section and a handful of percussionists to the already churning three guitars and the one and only, Tony Allen. All that power and groove is led by the extremely charismatic and commanding Fela Kuti, playing bari sax, keys, and singing his words of resistance.

As the son of legendary women’s rights activist, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Fela treated music as a political weapon, and his 1976 album, “Zombie,” is a perfect example. This record mocks Nigeria’s corrupt military and police, portraying them as obedient, unthinking tools of the state.

On the title track, Fela delivers commands:

“Go and kill… Go and die… Go and quench…”

His background singers then answer:

“joro jara joro” (Yoruba for “left, right, left”).

Mimicking military style marching, call and response becomes satire. Fela shows us how power demands obedience without question or thought.

I felt it was important to have someone like Fela on this week’s post, not just for his massive musical impact on myself and the world, but also for his shining example of art and music as forms of resistance. Especially with what’s currently happening here in Minneapolis, any inspiration or reminder that we can and should use our creative voices and craft to speak out against injustices is welcomed. Fela teaches us to use music as a political weapon and gives us the blueprint on making it relentless, defiant, and impossible to ignore.

-Evan Espinoza Robles