The Urban Renewal Project brings a jazz big band that plays hip-hop, soul, pop music and more.
One of Carson City’s favorite bands returns this weekend when The Urban Renewal Project comes to town. The band is no stranger to Carson City as this will be its fifth time playing here.
“We talk about Carson City all the time as one of the best audiences we’ve ever had the opportunity to play for,” said saxophonist and band leader R.W. Enoch. “It’s a smaller city than a lot of the places we got, but the turnout always really exceeds expectations and the amount of energy the people bring is basically one of a kind. It’s pretty special for us.”
The band is ready to bring it Saturday night and bring Carson City another memorable evening sharing their blend of music.
THE BAND/MUSIC
The first thing you’ll notice about URP is how many people fill the stage. It’s a 15-piece group, but it can vary a little bit on the road depending on everyone’s schedule, Enoch said. There’s usually 10 players on the horns then guitar, bass and drums. And there are three vocalists to bring a different range of voices.
“It’s rock solid, but also kind of an impressively large foundation that the music builds on,” Enoch said. “The whole thing is a very dynamic, high energy and maybe even explosive performance.”
Alex Nester shares the vocals with two rappers: Elmer Dumand and Reason.
“She (Alex) is a wonderful woman who really lights up the stage with incredible vocals,” Enoch said. “They all have great chemistry. We’ve been performing together a long time. I like to think they sort of take the audience on a journey along with the rest of the band through all the music we’ve been doing.”
The Urban Renewal Project will be in full force with 15 members for the Carson City show. Enoch said it’s a venue that is made for the big band with the outdoor stage and open space.
“It’s really nice when a stage like the Levitt AMP in Carson open their doors to us and let us take advantage of the situation,” he said.
Enoch describes the sound as a jazz big band that plays hip-hop, soul, pop music and more.
“Something that’s become very clear is there is something for everyone in our music,” he said.
He said they appeal to a younger and an older crowd. They have elements of rap and they also have older jazz and soul that may remind people of Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Tower of Power.
“We have a big element of that in our sound as well,” Enoch said.
NEW MUSIC
The Urban Renewal Project is wrapping up its fourth album which they hope to release by the end of the year, Enoch said. They’ll be releasing singles from it over the summer, and they’ll be sprinkling in the songs at their shows, so Carson City will get the first taste of some new music.
“Hopefully we can start putting the new material on people’s radars, so when it drops people can find it online and continue listening to it,” he said.
The band will have their merchandise and previous recordings and after the show you’ll be able to chat with some of the band and hang out and take pics.
“Please come say ‘hi’ even if you don’t buy anything,” Enoch said.
‘CHANGE A FEW HEARTS’
Enoch said they have a successful show when the crowd is on their feet moving to the music.
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem in Carson City,” he said. “That’s one I can go into with high confidence. That’s always the goal — to get people on their feet and moving. And hopefully just appealing to everyone in the audience.”
He hopes to broaden people’s taste in music as well. He said they get a lot of comments after shows from people saying they don’t really like rap music, but they really enjoyed the band’s performance. Or they get the opposite where someone says they only listen to Top 40 radio and they haven’t been exposed to a lot of great live bands or music from past eras. Sometimes they get fans who say they haven’t heard of a band with that many horns before. These are the people Enoch and the band hopes to reach and change their mindset.
“Hopefully we can change a few hearts and minds out there with any luck,” he said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Urban Renewal Project with opening act Lily Baran at the Brewery Art Center’s Levitt AMP Concert Series
WHERE: 449 W. King St. at the Brewery Arts Center
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 29
MORE INFO: breweryarts.org; www.urpmusic.com