Galactic’s New Orleans funk has been around since the late 1990s. The band has six albums recorded. They haven’t played in Mississippi lately, and they are ready to rock Columbus Saturday night.
The Mississippi University for Women festival is featuring a day full of concerts on two stages. The shows begin at 1 p.m.
Galactic is headlining the event, but other bands will play, including Ingram Hill, 12 Stones and Drive-by Truckers.
Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $19.50 on Saturday.
Rich Vogel, keyboardist for Galactic, made time to talk with me and let fans know a little more about Galactic.
Kit: What was your most magical moment performing?
Rich: A whole lot over the years, but one time stands out. At Jazz Fest a couple of years ago, I remember being outside in the springtime in New Orleans rocking out with friends, family, all at my show-one place with around 50,000 people. That was a magical day.
Kit: Tell me a little bit about Galactic’s first gig.
Rich: It’s hard to say when our first gig was. I remember the first time I played with Galactic-my first gig as a new member of the band. It was incredible-one of New Orleans’ hero musicians, George Porter, played with us.
Kit: Do you have any certain special guests who have played with you that stand out in your mind as unbelievable?
Rich: Yes. In San Francisco, New Years Eve, I believe in 2001, George Clinton came on stage and jammed with us to “We Got the Funk, Gotta Have that Funk.”
Summer of 2002 we were on tour with The Allman Brothers Band. On tour one night, Greg Allman signaled us to all come on stage for the encore. I remember playing back to back with Greg, me on the piano and him on the organ. It was a very touchy moment.
Kit: If you could perform with any other musician who would it be?
Rich: I would love to perform with Maceo Parker. He is James Brown’s saxophone player. I would love for “The JB Horns” to play with us.
Kit: If you could pick the album of the year for 2004, what would you choose?
Rich: Well, I am into the older music, but we sure have been listening a lot to Outkast’s album. But I cannot pick one for 2004.
Kit: Galactic’s first studio album in three years was released in October 2003. What was it like recording in your own studio in New Orleans?
Rich: We were not on a time crunch. It was great to be on our own time and take time writing and creating the groove structures. It was our first major project in our studio and it was a success.
Ruckus is Galactic’s latest studio album. It is in stores now.