Insider Sessions
Giant Panda GDS
The Insider Sessions with Erika Iverson
Check out Giant Panda at: www.giantpandadub.com. Their new album debuted at number two on iTunes' Reggae Chart, and you can check that out at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/live-up/id338864778. Photograph by Matthew Balch
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The Insider Sessions are inspired by the emotion, power, and soul that go into one, simple song. The aim is to get closer and more personal to the music and the art. The acoustic sound, I believe, is perfect for this. It allows you to hear only instruments, only voice, no background fuzz, and nothing channeling the noise but our own ears. The artists will choose their own place to play, sometimes in a van, sometimes on a bus, sometimes simply in an alley way; either way each session is authentic and personal. So take a look at these artists, some are from Iowa, some just passing through, and as you'll sometimes find, just getting started. Listen and enjoy the sounds that erupt throughout our beautiful state.
~ Erika Iverson
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Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is a Roots Reggae band from Rochester, New York. They play electric music that is a unique mix of Reggae Roots, Dub, and Afrobeat that provides their fans with spirit lifting, body flowing, face smiling grooves. Through all the changes that the band has gone through, losing two of its members, they play with positive energy and a message of health and good living to all. Their goal is to share amazing music with great people, and they accomplish that flawlessly. Giant Panda played in Iowa City at the Yacht Club and I met them before the show to get an Insider Session. Aaron, Dylan, James, and Chris were all grins and jokes as I asked them questions about their future as a quartet. Opening old wounds is painful, so we focused on the positive track and they spoke about the message in their music, the van donation fund (which rewards donations with unreleased music from their previous tour with John Brown's Body), and what to look forward to next.
When the show began their infectious sound had everybody on their feet in seconds. In the small, low ceiling-ed space of the Yacht Club you are on the same level as the musicians. The stage is only 6 inches off the floor bringing you pretty much face to face with the band while they play and getting that close and personal to GPGDS is an exhilarating, emotional experience for their fans. I could feel the joy and excitement in the thick, sweaty air the whole night and knew that everyone would leave with a smile in their hearts. When George and I left he commented that the music that night reminded him of what he was supposed to be doing in life; that is what real music does. It truly helps people, it reminds them that they can be better and stronger and more loving. Giant Panda delivers on this message maybe more so than any other music I have heard. Thank you GPGDS, we'll see you next time!
~ Erika
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Erika Iverson is a Music and Lifestyles reporter for InsiderIowa.com, and is the co-creator of our music project, The Insider Sessions. She is definitely a music fanatic and some of her old favorite artists include Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Bill Withers, The Who, The Doors, Buddy Guy, Cher, and Stevie Nicks, not to mention all of the more current bands. Other passions include adventure, eating healthy, studying philosophy, backpacking with her dad, and shopping with her mom.
