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ENLARGE
Robbie Gallo is bringing his new sounds to his old home.
The 1998 South Tahoe High School graduate now living in San Diego has an ascending electronica group called Vokab Kompany, which plays Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Divided Sky in Meyers.
Gallo, whose stage name is Rob Hurt, has teamed up with Matt “Burkey” Burke, the singer from the former Reno roots-rock band Native Root, to create a unique sound. Normally backed by a four-piece band called Tonight’s Special Guests, Vokab Kompany is on a three-date tour with Chip Chop — Jim Cooke and Adam Northway from the South Shore band Absynth.
Burke joined Vokab Kompany after moving to San Diego. An album with some high-profile guest artists is due out this winter.
“Native Root was more like a jam band with a funked-out groove,” Gallo said. “I wouldn’t categorize them as hippie, but they brought out that crowd. I was more doing studio works, and (Matt) was more into touring, getting his live sound down.
“It’s a good balance. His live energy (and me with) more of a hip-hop, funk style. A lot of people are calling it a new sound. It’s hip-hop, funk, electronic, all wrapped up as one.”
Burke, who toured nationally with Native Root for nearly two years, agrees.
“Robbie had just been working with a DJ, and his philosophy is go with the synthesized beat and add the instruments,” he said. “It was great combination of elements. Neither one of us could have predicted how the sound was going to turn out. You’ve got Robbie’s real smooth, rhythmic hip-hop and I do like melodic, soulful hip-hop. The combination really seems to work.”
Vokab Kompany has been selling out its shows consistently and moving up to larger venues, Burke said. The group has collaborated with Mutator, Lateef the Truth Speaker, Freak Nasty, and McSouleye and BLVD. After playing Tahoe, the duo will appear in San Francisco with Del tha Funky Homosapien.
“We’re working with Lateef the Truth Speaker and have a song coming out with him,” Burke said. “For me that’s a gigantic honor. He’s my favorite hip-hop guy.”
The Divided Sky show will be Vokab Kompany’s first with Cooke and Northway.
“Jim’s been making beats for me for a while,” Burke said. “We’re using some of his beats on the new album. He’s just super-talented. Adam’s crazy too. We’ve never played with them before. It’s going to be super intimate and impromptu. It’s going to be a cool little vibe in there.”
The 1998 South Tahoe High School graduate now living in San Diego has an ascending electronica group called Vokab Kompany, which plays Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Divided Sky in Meyers.
Gallo, whose stage name is Rob Hurt, has teamed up with Matt “Burkey” Burke, the singer from the former Reno roots-rock band Native Root, to create a unique sound. Normally backed by a four-piece band called Tonight’s Special Guests, Vokab Kompany is on a three-date tour with Chip Chop — Jim Cooke and Adam Northway from the South Shore band Absynth.
Burke joined Vokab Kompany after moving to San Diego. An album with some high-profile guest artists is due out this winter.
“Native Root was more like a jam band with a funked-out groove,” Gallo said. “I wouldn’t categorize them as hippie, but they brought out that crowd. I was more doing studio works, and (Matt) was more into touring, getting his live sound down.
“It’s a good balance. His live energy (and me with) more of a hip-hop, funk style. A lot of people are calling it a new sound. It’s hip-hop, funk, electronic, all wrapped up as one.”
Burke, who toured nationally with Native Root for nearly two years, agrees.
“Robbie had just been working with a DJ, and his philosophy is go with the synthesized beat and add the instruments,” he said. “It was great combination of elements. Neither one of us could have predicted how the sound was going to turn out. You’ve got Robbie’s real smooth, rhythmic hip-hop and I do like melodic, soulful hip-hop. The combination really seems to work.”
Vokab Kompany has been selling out its shows consistently and moving up to larger venues, Burke said. The group has collaborated with Mutator, Lateef the Truth Speaker, Freak Nasty, and McSouleye and BLVD. After playing Tahoe, the duo will appear in San Francisco with Del tha Funky Homosapien.
“We’re working with Lateef the Truth Speaker and have a song coming out with him,” Burke said. “For me that’s a gigantic honor. He’s my favorite hip-hop guy.”
The Divided Sky show will be Vokab Kompany’s first with Cooke and Northway.
“Jim’s been making beats for me for a while,” Burke said. “We’re using some of his beats on the new album. He’s just super-talented. Adam’s crazy too. We’ve never played with them before. It’s going to be super intimate and impromptu. It’s going to be a cool little vibe in there.”
