What do you get when you combine jazz, funk, electronica, happiness and insanity? Pretty much Bionica. This young New Orleans band melds multiple genres per song, and gives off an intoxicating energy that makes you feel lovely just because you’re a part of it. The talent consists of keyboardist/vocalist Rex Gregory, vocalist/keyboardist Sasha Masakowski, bassist Devin Kerrigan, drummer/percussionist Nick Solnick, and vocalist/keytarist/‘unofficial band leader’ James Westfall. Bionica’s first EP drops this month, so now is the time to jump on the bands’ wagon. InvadeNOLA’s got your back, giving you the inside scoop straight from Bionica.
InvadeNOLA: So how did you guys get together?
Sasha: Well it was originally James’s band, but then it was called Bionic Dream. We decided to change the name to Bionica when [we] came up with an idea for women’s clothing.
Nick: Sasha, Rex and I met in Holland during the [Hurricane] Katrina evacuation. We froze our asses off and made beautiful music, and James and Rex had met each other back in Houston, and we started with a different bassist [before Devin. ] But we’ve all been playing together for a little over a year now.
Devin: Yeah I had a pretty intense audition process. Basically I had to learn the songs and then play them at the show that night. But it was a kickass show. I guess it wasn’t that hard.
Rex: James was the unofficial leader, he wrote the first songs. We kept doing music and played steadily, and we just recorded our first EP.
Nick: Yeah it’s been pretty quick.
Rex: Quick and cool.
IN: What’s the significance of the name Bionica?
Sasha: It sort-of suggests robotic.
Rex: The name means applying processes in life to machine; trying to find the life in the machine, or for the machine.
IN: How would you describe your music?
Nick: It’s a little electronic. When you get all that jazz music with a bunch of electronic keyboardists and tell them to write rock music, this is what you get. Like Miles Davis said about Wayne Shorter: “He doesn’t need to do anymore because it’s all already there.”
Devin: Dude you stole that quote from my presentation.
Nick: I did. And now I’m applying it to Bionica.
Rex: Bionica ─ it’s all there.
IN: You guys have some individual side projects as well?
Sasha: I have a few other side projects: Nova Nola, Brazil Jazz Group, Musical Playground and the Cliff Hines Quintet, which James also plays in.
Rex: Yeah, everyone plays with everyone.
Nick: Yeah, Devin and I play together with other bands; I play in like 5 or 6 other bands, but Bionica is the band I’m most passionate about. We’re all independent, we’re working musicians. We take what we learn [separately] and build from that collectively.
Sasha: And we all have sex with Devin.
Rex: Yeah.
Nick: Devin is the slut of the group. Your browser may not support display of this image.
IN: What’s one of your favorite places to play gigs around here?
Nick: One Eyed Jack’s, they have great sound.
Rex: They hook it up.
Sasha: Yeah, that place has a really good vibe, the people appreciate us and they appreciate the music.
IN: What would you say is your biggest collective strength?
Nick: The fact that there’s so much talent in the musicians of the band.
Devin: Even when we’re struggling to hear each other we still try hard to…hear each other?
Sasha: Devin’s sex appeal.
Rex and Nick: Yes.
Sasha: We all have very strong opinions; we’re political and philosophical people, and these aren’t just sappy love songs.
Rex: Main strength: Purpose.
IN: Okay, you’re all hanging off of a cliff, and some random guy says he will only save one of you, and you guys have to agree on who he saves. So who gets to live and why?
Rex: Maybe Sasha, because robots can play keyboards but they can’t sing.
Devin: I already fell.
Nick: I was gonna say Devin so he could go on to spread his seed and create little Bionicans.
Sasha: Yeah!
Devin: Oh well, I’m already saved then…Y’all just want me to live with the guilt.
IN: Can you tell me about this EP? And the details of your nearest shows?
Sasha: The EP is entitled “Take Your City”, which is also one of the tracks.
Nick: ..And “Take Your City” is about taking our city back right?
Rex: It’s about the people with all the power having broken all their promises, so we’re taking [the power] back.
Sasha: Another song, “Our Town”, is about an old man who gets no respect and finally becomes sick of it, and he goes on a massive killing spree.
Rex: Another one, “[“Commodore”] is really energetic, and also very tense. [The Commodore] was the first personal computer.
Nick: Our CD release party is at One Eyed Jack’s on March 6th.
Devin: It’s gonna be a good time.
Editors’ Note: Unfortunately, James Westfall was ill and unable to participate in this interview.
For more information about Bionica or upcoming shows check them out :
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