Orchid Mantis and Star Jungle
Electro-acoustic choral jazz group Orchid Mantis blends the dance beats of drum and bass with the structured sensibilities of a string quartet and the driving rhythm of fusion jazz and progressive rock. Multi-instrumentalist bassist Harley Magsino is originally from the Philippines and earned his Masters from SDSU. Drummer Isaac Crow is a San Diego native known from bands like Latin Jazz Quartet and bLUMPY. Cellist-singer Caitlin Crow has performed with Thousand Butterflies, and electronic keyboardist-singer Nina Leilani played with Isaac in Humankind. Their most recent album, Rated X, was released last August, with tongue-in-cheek content clearly signaled by song titles such as “Power Tie,” “Pussy Bow,” and “Normcore.” Limited edition colored cassette versions are available (“flesh tone pink” and “bright red blush”) and, in keeping with the kitschy DIY vibe, CD copies available at the Soda Bar will include a “handcrafted booklet featuring North Park’s Top Models…pairs effortlessly with a fanny pack, sticker, and buttons.” Booklet photos are off-brand Suicide Girls style pics, like a shirtless bald bearded man in sunglasses with cutout paper shapes pasted to his nipples and standing in front of a surreal cat-themed wall mural. The bill includes Star Jungle and Jonny Tarr.
