by Jane McDonald
Wallpaper Fit for a Selfie
We are at Mashroom Studios for Head Room Session #54, which is a completely gorgeous (down to the bathroom wallpaper) hybrid tattoo shop & event space. Owned by two female ink artists, Mashroom is a newer stop on Denver’s monthly Santa Fe Art Walk you will want to check out if you haven’t already. Closing the night is Dead Eye Dojo, a Denver hip-hop super group that wastes no time getting the crowd hyped with an onstage huddle that ends in what I swear sounds like a chorus of actors from a kung-fu film.
Best (Drummer) in Denver
Before the set begins my neighbor whispers, “this guy is one of the best drummers in Denver.” And he’s not wrong. Chree, the masked percussionist of Ramakhandra, displays his evident skill throughout the set with dizzying syncopations and tight beats. He has the benefit of partnering with his talented bandmate Eric (also half of the duo Dr3am Ca$t), the veteran MCs of Pterrorfractyl, and one of Denver’s busiest musicians, Enmanuel Alexander, aka solo artist namebackwards. (Now you see why I used the term “super-group” in the first paragraph.)
Dead Eye Dojo begins their set with an atmospheric layering of samples and instrumentals that is quickly juxtaposed by flows from bunny-stocking-cap-masked MC, Sean aka absenz. He has a gorgeously gritty tone and a powerful lyrical style that reminds me of RZA. He shares the mic with his brother, Dana Ra’el, who’s soulful and effortless style creates a perfect balance.
They follow up with a slick bass groove that explores growing up with societal disparities that lead to a pre-mature hardening and desire to escape. The painfully raw lyrics are a departure from Dead Eye Dojo’s more philosophical tracks and bring a sense of intimacy to the session with lines like, “If my heart don’t feel, then my heart don’t break.”
Be Like Water
They close with Namaste for Peace, a track that opens with a sample of Bruce Lee’s iconic quote: “Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless - like water.” It is a mellow and meditative track that reminds listeners to remain adaptable and ever growing, and offers simple wishes for peace. After a celebratory all-band fist bump, the audience is ushered back into the world with this sage advice and hope for harmony resonating within. THIS feeling is why Head Room Sessions is always live.
Dead Eye Dojo is groove heavy hip-hop with elevated lyrics to satisfy a modern audience seeking the path to enlightenment. Their individual talents and apparent happiness performing as a band are just a few of countless reasons to catch them (together… or solo… or in another project) around town.