Rising up quickly in the saturated entertainment industry presents an immense challenge for musicians today. That is, unless you possess a solid and organic sound with fresh beats, sick guitar riffs, and conscious lyrics.
Kamphire Collective (KC) of Boise, Idaho, are one such group of guys who have made it happen through a two-year journey full of passion, ambition and soul. KC joined the impressive line-up on the Honda Ski Tour after meeting now manager Steve Fulton in May 2006. ‘I took them on because of their positive message and their sound is really solid,’ Steve said. Being a production manager for the Honda Ski Tour allowed Steve to hook KC up with a gig touring through the Rockies and the Sierra this winter playing with legends like George Clinton and P Funk and stellar performers like G-Love and Special Sauce, Wisdom, and Swollen Members. ‘The tour has been an amazing experience. We have gained all kinds of interest. We mowed everybody over leaving people asking ‘Who the heck are these guys?’ I expect big things from these guys,’ Steve said. So far the tour has hit Sun Valley, Idaho; Breckenridge, Colo.; and Aspen, Colo.
With the tour wrapping up this month in Squaw Valley, Kamphire Collective is focused on their upcoming April 21 album release and setting up summer gigs on the West Coast. ‘We are just starting to get momentum and we are working on touring in the middle of the summer, starting in the west,’ Steve said.
Emcees Marcus ‘Origin’ Hunter and Tim ‘Timbuk2’ Hammes, guitarist Stephan ‘Big Boy’ Hagstrom, bassist Justin ‘Backbone’ Rooney, and drummer Todd ‘Rudi’ Belcher are the solid level headed musically enriched guys who make up Kamphire Collective. Given the opportunity to chit chat with Origin over the phone provided a deeper look at this up and coming funky, bluesy, groovy, unique and artistic band.
Origin, Todd, and Big Boy had played together in a reggae band that didn’t pan out. ‘Then we found us a flawless bassist who plays with deep intense rhythm,’ Origin said. After that, Timbuk2 came along and KC linked all the elements needed to pronounce their groovy soul. They derived their name from the concepts they were trying to express. ‘We were throwing ideas out and Big Boy said ‘how ‘bout Kamphire Collective?’ Most cultures created music, shared stories and passed on traditions around campfires,’ Origin said. After two years as a band, ‘we are feelin’ what we’re makin,’ Origin said.
With two emcees, some might tag the group as hip-hop. ‘But we have talented people who encompass so much more than hip hop,’ Origin said. KC consider their sound to be world music emanating cultural awareness through spoken word set to rhythm and blues, funk and jazz and a little rock ‘n’ roll.
KC’s sound and style are simply complex and unmatched. An organic blend of instruments with smooth rhymes full of reason allow this band to transcend mere hip-hop. After watching, listening, and dancing to KC live I felt like I had stumbled upon a hidden gem. Timbuk2 and Origin worked the stage and created a genuine energy backed up by an amazing band who were throwing out the jams as if they were jamming in their living room or a garage. The vibe of the show was super positive and their incendiary psychedelic guitar riffs and sick fluid drumbeats made KC’s sound flow with immense style.
Origin obtains his widespread inspiration in music from several iconic figures (but mostly Miles Davis) who he said have reached across gaps and crossed bridges to get their message out there. Another musical inspiration to Origin stems from Timbuk2. ‘He is so progressive and solid all around. He is constantly coming up with new material and stepping it up,’ Origin said. In life Origin gains endless inspiration from his son.
With Todd’s 10 years of drumming experience, Big Boy’s psychedelic riffs, Backbone’s intense rhythm, and Timbuk2’s and Origin’s soulful conscious lyrics, KC have come together in a powerful manner and promise to stimulate all those who come to their shows. ‘You are never gonna know until you come check us out live and then you will be hooked,’ Origin said.
