The legendary percussionist with the Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart is looking forward to a very busy 70h birthday, which falls on Sept. 11. It's in the middle of a two-month long road tour for the Mickey Hart Band's new album, “Superorganism,” which begins on Aug. 1 at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg.
The band is similar to the one he played with here on March 7, 2012, with Hart's fellow Grammy winning percussionist and longtime band mate Sikiru Adepoju, Tony Award winning vocalist Crystal Monee Hall, singer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Bagale, drummer Greg Schutte, guitarist Gawain Matthews, bassist Reed Mathis, and keyboardist/sound engineer Jonah Sharp.
This time, however, Hart takes his interest in the deeper biochemical roots of rhythm deeper still, literally using his brain as an instrument by hooking up his head to a sound board.
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Explains Hart, "The brain, Rhythm Central, the place of dreams is explored. My brain wave signals are reimagined in sound using a cap with electrodes that can read the throbs and signals of the brain. I have also sonified the sounds of stem cells, and heart rhythms for this recording."
Yes, that's exactly what it sounds like. Each night of the tour, Hart will perform with an EEG cap on his head while he plays the sounds of his brain.
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The idea began early in 2012 with Hart's research of the effect of rhythm on the brain with Dr. Adam Gazzalley of UCSF. The album will once again feature lyrics from Hart's longtime collaborator and Grateful Dead lyricist, Robert Hunter, as well as many special guest musicians – some of whom may show up as surprise guests during the two-month tour.
The band's Superorganism Tour starts August 1st (Jerry Garcia's birthday) in Healdsburg, with special guests the Tea Leaf Trio (Trevor Garrod, Reed Mathis, and Cochrane McMillan) supporting the majority of the dates. Mathis will be doing double duties each night, performing with Tea Leaf Trio and the Mickey Hart Band.
Show time is 8 p.m. for the Thursday evening show; tickets are $30 in advance or at the door. More information and ticket links on this Raventheater.org page.
100% of the ticketing fees from tickets sold through Mickeyhart.net will go to fund Musical Therapy Research at UCSF. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.mickeyhart.net/shows.
And where will the Superorganism Tour be on Mickey Hart's 70th birthday? At the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip, in Las Vegas.
