Cold Duck Complex is a method, a means of capturing a moment of intensity, fun, pure excitement-music that makes you feel good, but not simple party music; music that makes you think, but without interrupting the dance party. The marriage of hip-hop lyrics to jazz and rock music, though not unheard of, is a new beast here-placing the instruments on an equal plane with the voice pushes this fusion in a direction that few, if any, have taken before. Equally likely to be exploring the sonic palette of a tin-pan alley standard or an early '90s west coast hip-hop groove, this music is created for the sheer joy of experiencing every second of it...no two seconds ever the same, no song played the same way twice. The lyrics and smooth delivery of Platypus Complex is at once thoughtful, witty, deep, and goofy. He possesses a talent that few can emulate, and it belies a wisdom beyond his years. The Cold Duck Trio is a group committed to variety, to exploring all the sounds they can, whether supporting Platypus Complex or stretching out an instrumental tune. Together, the group bridges gaps between seriousness and humor, politics and play, sometimes showcasing more traditional hip-hop, other times trying to blend hip-hop lyrics with more progressive and complex instrumentals.
Cold Duck Trio first formed in early 2000 with keyboardist Jesse Goldman. For a high school talent show, they composed Curious George, a musical tale of a funky monkey's struggle to explore the world under the gaze of his rigid protector and won the contest. 2001 introduced the trio to Platypus Complex, longtime friend and newfound collaborator. The end of the year also brought D'Antona into the fold, the perfect completion for the group, and a talent that must not be missed. Cold Duck Complex has been continuously spreading their music around New England and New York over the 2 years of their existence--a good showing already for a band consisting of three 21 year olds and a 19 year old. Recent highlights include performing with Rahzel, Reel Big Fish, and 50 Cent at the Mullins Center in Amherst, MA and winning the Umass Battle of the Bands 2003. They have appeared on MTV University, have shared a bill with acts such as Wordsworth, Soulive, 7L & Esoteric, The Slip, Insight, MasPyke, The Headhunters, Addison Groove Project, and Russell Batiste (of The Meters), and have even been featured in a comic strip at the Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Following up on their self-released, untitled EP in 2002, the band released their first full-length album, "Figureheads" in December 2003.
"It's premature to offer up Cold Duck Complex as the savior of live hip-hop, but the group is at the least a herald of what is to come" -Daniel Oppenheimer, Valley Advocate
"Cold Duck Complex was able to fit together heavy content, high intellect, low humor and even at times sad references and still come out with an uplifting and empowering creation." -Russ Juskalian, Massachusetts Daily Collegian
"These jazz hip-hoppers play and sing with passion, but they cannot conceal their education...I like this menagerie." -John Stifler, Daily Hampshire Gazette
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