Magic in the Other

World class drummer Ezra Lipp is like the human incarnation of a Wes Anderson film, perpetually bursting with creativity in any project he’s involved with. Delightfully quirky, whimsically imaginative and intricately ambitious, his musical landscape is a living, breathing diorama of tremendous depth. He is the kind of drummer who other drummers watch with awe in regards to how organic and intuitive his approach is.

Ezra most recently made a major impact as a member of the Bone Diggers, laying down the grooviest percussion on “Paul Simon Dance Jams” at Rosebud Ranch. More often than not, he’s making music with his primary band, ALO. On this occasion, we get to see him in his full frontman glory with his own unicorn of a project, Magic in the Other.

Recently summoned out of a multi-year hiatus, MITO creates melodic, anthemic music that is strikingly relatable, profoundly provocative and infectiously danceable. At the same time, it also stretches audiences in a way that is both cerebral and heart-opening. Since their inception, they’ve been a band driven by originality and an insatiable desire to blaze new trails. It all stems from Ezra and his status as a musical savant of sorts. He has a notable aversion to the status quo, relentlessly intent on conjuring lightning in a bottle.

The revamped incarnation of MITO features fiery support from brilliant guitarist, Daniel Roholt - AKA Dellow (Caltucky), and ultra-jazzy bassist Alex Reiff. This intrepid Sacramento-based trio has been classified as “avant-rock.” What the heck does that mean? Well, perhaps more relatable is their mixture of soaring jazz lines, African-inspired rhythms and melodies, and soul sensibilities over the bedrock of a rock and roll rhythm section that transmits a wholly unique sound. Steeped in the perpetual fluidness of improvisation but mindful that stellar song-writing should form its core, MITO’s razor-sharp, precision playing is paired with Ezra’s achingly truthful lyrics that evoke the sort of imagery wanderlust spirits ache to come home to.

Host or Publisher Crazy Horse Saloon and Grill