Music and Merriment with Roots of Creation, Lux Deluxe and Del Water Gap at Java

Not to knock the great T.S. Eliot, but April has been rather good to us this particular year. Well, perhaps the snow and ice storms have been a bit of a downer; April certainly has been cruel to the Green House… but has that put an end to this campus’s love of live music? It would appear as though music has bested the elements in this snow globe of a campus. In addition to another spectacular Folk Fest put on by the Green House, Java had a few more bands stop by the venue.

Roots of Creation took the stage for the first time since they opened the semester back in the fall of 2014, the very year this humble columnist began his college career. The very show at which this humble columnist was foolish enough to hide a stocked backpack in the bushes. The very week this humble columnist had to buy a new backpack. Originating from New Hampshire, Roots of Creation puts a northeastern spin on traditional reggae, leaving an aftertaste of music festivals and sweat. The dub beats were decorated with improvisational guitar and keyboard parts to weave the set into what felt like only a few different songs.

The songs, as you may have noticed, were largely dub renditions of the Grateful Dead. While any number of patrons in the audience may have been bewildered by the change in style, you had to hand it to RoC: they did a pretty damn good job.

The following Friday, Lux Deluxe and Del Water Gap returned to the Java Barn. Lux Deluxe, an indie/alternative group from North Hampton, Massachusetts, were the first band to get onstage. It’s really a special thing when you have a stage filled with full-fledged performers putting on a show for us. The lead singer, Ned, danced around the stage as if his dreams had been crushed by Broadway directors. The band filled the void between songs with snarky remarks to the audience— their demeanor was playful and entertaining. By the time their set had come to a close, it was to their dismay to ignore the chants for an encore. Following soon after, it was time for Del Water Gap to make their pretty noises.

Del Water Gap is an interesting band. This was their third year visiting the Java Barn, and we were excited to have them. They play rock that is raw, soulful and alternative with contagious rhythm and gentle vocals. By the time they started playing, the venue was swamped with smiles and chatter. Del Water Gap graced the room with an uplifting aura, one that could only be broken by the band running out of songs to play. Though it was a Java show that ended early, it was certainly one of the more impressive that we’ve seen thus far.

As the column (and semester) come to a close, it’s only fair to remind you of a few important things. The post-Springfest show is starting earlier than usual. Make sure to move your groovers over to the venue at 9:00 p.m. to see Argonaut&Wasp take the stage. The Kids will blow your minds soon after. Also, don’t forget about Melon Fest, the arts and music extravaganza to change your life starting next Saturday (April 28) at 4 p.m.

Et ibi, vel ut quadrata!