PRIMITIVE SPIRIT
Spiritually inspired "Folk Music that Rocks". Organic, straight from the heart. The Primatives credit a spectrum of influences, (George Harrison, Neil Young, Sting, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Dylan, Van Morrison, Emmy Lou Harris, to name a few).
Primitive Spirit is a big change from our first CD, in that we have taken a more "organic" and acoustic approach to it. However, it is not completely acoustic, as variety is a tasty spice with us. Also, we believe it is coming from a more comfortable place, spiritually, with certainly less "relationship anguish" in songwriter Jesse's life.
Primitive Spirit includes some of our often requested material such as "The Ocean of Phenomena", in which the world is seen as a form of art by the Master Artist, "Livin" ("i won't be livin, this life that i've been given"), and "Simple Love" ("tell the story of simple love")
We are very excited about this project, because it is to represent us as we are. We have way more material to record and have also begun work on a 3rd CD.
THE PRIMATIVES
-Folk Music that Rocks-
-Jesse S. Hanson (songwriter, vocals, guitars)
-Lila Hanson (vocals, silver flute, mrdanga and other percussion)
-Jack (vocals, electric bass)
-*Audrey Hanson (vocals)
-*Vincent Graves (electric bass)
"The Primatives feature a blend of rock with eclectic influences of folk stylings and Indian rhythms. Jesse Hanson's melodic vocals and song lines are well-matched with pulsating, energetic guitar. These songs drive the point straight home in a style reminiscent of the influential Neil Young.
The songs are supported by Jesse's wife, Lila, who adds her own multi-cultural influence with percussive instruments and the flute and by Jack on bass whose musical interests range from folk to Dave Brubeck. They both add nicely balanced supportive vocals. The energy between Lila and Jesse feels magical."
-Tim Brodkorb (Rainbow Rising Coffee House) Smithton, PA-
"One key to the early Airplane's success was the vocal blend of co-founders Marty Balin and Paul Kantner, along with Signe Anderson, the original female singer. The combination of two men and one woman worked effectively to the point where it became a template for other folk-rock groups to follow.
So it's with high praise that I compare the sound of the Primatives to that of the Airplane. The trio - Jesse Hanson; his wife, Lila; and their bass player, Jack - basically features three lead singers, a distinctive touch in a day one most bands seem to lean toward one front man (or woman).
- Harry Funk (Washington Observer Reporter)
"Hey, I just saw you at the Coffee Den. That was a superb show. I loved the intimacy of it too, it reminded me a lot of when I saw CSN at the Palumbo Center since that was a pretty small concert arena, and I was relatively close."
- Doug Donoughe (musician)
The Primatives are an inspired primitive alternative rock/folk band with subtle expressions of their individual spirituality that is the result of Jesse's lifetime of song writing and the mutual attraction between husband and wife, Jesse and Lila. Also, they are supported by their Pittsburgh native friend, Jack on vocals and electric bass.
*Some additional vocals on live performances by Audrey Hanson.
*Also some electric bass on live performances by Vincent Graves
Lila is a native of Toronto, where she became actively involved in Krishna Consciousness and was initiated by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, relocated to the Pittsburgh/Wheeling, WV area where she taught in a small private school for 16 years. She devoted a lot of time to singing Bhajans with the children, teaching them Eastern instruments such as Mrdanga and Kartels, and produced with them an album of inspirational songs.
While other kids were rockin round the clock, Jack was singing the 5th harmony to The Beatles recordings along with marching in the drum corps. The first time we saw Jack, it was at a "Club Café" open stage where he opened with a Jim Morrison cover and then went on to Perry Como. That's diversity. With an incredible voice that gives us chills, Jack is the 3rd part harmony and bass player.
Jesse is originally from North Dakota. He spent a considerable portion of his life in Seattle and vicinity, during which time he was initiated into spirituality by the Sant Mat Master from Rajasthan, Ajaib Singh. He paid some dues as a street musician and some in the cafes and bars, before returning to North Dakota where he raised his family after divorce.
We are presenting our very original brand of spiritually inspired alternative music to the kind folks in Pittsburgh specifically and western PA and Wheeling, WV area generally. We are also reaching out to a larger audience with our 2 CD's, which include the newly released Primitive Spirit as well as the former The Lovers of Kali Yuga.
The musical influences are so varied that categories and genres are in fact misleading. Our slogan is "Folk Music that Rocks".
jesse s. hanson and Lila Hanson
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