Ghost Funk Orchestra + Rudy De Anda | Big Room Bar
Independent music is fun.
Since moving back to Columbus, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the city in a deeper way than I did when I was a teenager. We used to go to the Basement, Newport, Bernie’s, Scarlet & Grey Cafe, and the LC—some of those spots are still kicking while others have changed names or literally been paved over for a Target. One place I hadn’t been as a teen is the Big Room Bar, a Brewery District venue run by local radio stalwarts CD 101.1/102.5/92.9.
It turns out the Big Room Bar is a great place to see live music. I love living in a city with independent radio, especially when they own a terrific venue with plenty of space, reasonable prices, and an excellent sound system. On a tip from some NYC friends, we went to check out Ghost Funk Orchestra and Rudy De Anda on Friday, April 21.
Rudy De Anda
Rudy De Anda is a bandleader, songwriter, crooner, and showman from Long Beach, California. At some point during his opening slot, he might have mentioned he recently moved to Chicago? Wherever he’s currently based, it’s clear he surrounds himself with incredible musicians and writes funny, engaging, and heartfelt songs.
Rudy alternates between singing in Spanish and English and plays music worthy of the label “indie groove.” These songs will make you feel like you’re cruising down a west coast highway, where the wind in your hair sounds like reverb and the bumps in the road are thick, tasteful basslines. The band will take you by surprise—they’re in the pocket, but prone to tempo changes and in-your-face psychedelic interludes. Each player has incredible jazz chops and will suddenly rip it up in the middle of a dreamy, shoe-gazey number. The interplay is truly impressive. Nice!
Ghost Funk Orchestra
It is possible that there has never been a more aptly named band than Ghost Funk Orchestra. They’re not your typical funk band, in a good way—the blend is related to funk, but it sounds more like a jazz band of the undead just had a spiritual experience at a Bomb the Music Industry! show. Maybe I’m just saying this cause they’re from New York City and bandleader Seth Applebaum plays a telecaster with a Dead Kennedys sticker. Drummer Mario Gutierrez plays with fat sticks and fatter drums, which gives the music some serious punch. There’s some distortion and harder moments, but ultimately the band sounds like what they are called: an orchestra of ghosts playing dreamy, ethereal funk-adjacent tunes with force.
Saxophonist Stephen Chen takes the front of the stage along with singer Romi Hanoch, who is the true star of the show here. She has an incredible stank face and wonderful voice that fits the music perfectly. Hanoch opens her mouth Mick Jagger-wide and lets it rip in songs like “Walk Like A Motherfucker”, “Scatter”, and encore tune “Blood Moon.” Applebaum gave frequent gratitude to the healthy crowd (it was their first time in Columbus) and mentioned that they’re usually a nine, ten, or twelve piece band—on this tour they are just six, but those six still blasted. Check them out in your town. Tour dates as of 4/23/23 below.
Ghost Funk Orchestra + Rudy De Anda Tour Dates
4/24/23 - St Paul, MN - Turf Club w/ Rudy de Anda
4/26/23 - Madison, WI - The Bur Oak w/ Rudy de Anda
4/27/23 - Des Moines, IA - xBk Live w/ Rudy de Anda
4/28/23 - Norman, OK - Norman Music Festival
4/29/23 - Lawrence, KS - Replay Lounge w/ Rudy de Anda
4/30/23 - Columbia, MO - Rose Music Hall w/ Rudy de Anda
5/1/23 - Louisville, KY - Whirling Tiger w/ Rudy de Anda
5/2/23 - Indianapolis, IN - Squarecat Vinyl w/ Rudy de Anda
5/3/23 - Cincinnati, OH - MOTR w/ Rudy de Anda
6/21/23 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie w/ Rudy de Anda
6/23/23 - Brooklyn, NY - Public Records w/ Rudy de Anda
6/24/23 - Washington, DC - Comet Ping Pong w/ Rudy de Anda
7/7/23 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda w/ TEKE::TEKE
7/21/23 - Baie-St-Paul, QC - Le Festif!