Kulica, a band hailing from California, has found a groove.
But groovy isn't the only word for its music. Kulica's sound encompasses tropical beaches, New Orleans nightclubs and uptown cocktail parties.
Slicker than Don Juan, Kulica defines smooth.
"Groove," the opening track to their self-titled album, uses silky jazz beats and warm lyrics to set the album up for an enjoyable ride. The band sings about relaxing, doing what you do and finding its groove angels. With finals week looming, groove angels sound like just what the student body needs.
"Growing up as a kid listening to the radio, I just loved music," said Curtis Thompson, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist for Kulica. "When I was 13, I picked up the guitar and started playing, and I got addicted to learning how to play. I pretty much taught myself. I basically got really obsessed with it."
Thompson toured with Colorado-based Acoustic Junction for 10 years before taking a break.
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"My wife and I went back to Humboldt County because we had been through it before and we had just loved it," Thompson said. "I picked up the guitar again and started songwriting, and my wife picked up the bass around the same time."
Julie Thompson plays bass for the band, with Jason Hodel on acoustic and electric mandolin ,and Dave Sandomeno on percussion.
"I like to describe our music as groove-rock and feel-good music," Thompson said. "But I guess officially it's acoustic rock. I like to think of it along the same lines as Van Morrison and Neil Young."
Though some of the songs have all of 30 words to them, his style conveys a true sense of groove.
The actual words aren't what push the song, but they do set a mood. Instead of being laid on top of the song, the words intermingle with the melody, becoming unobtrusive and truly part of the song, a characteristic most bands lack.
Thompson said Kulica really thrives on live performances, but being in the studio is just as good.
"It's definitely a different feel, a different vibe," Thompson said. "But we take a little bit of that live energy and try to have fun with it without thinking of the pressure of laying out a track."
Well, it has certainly done that. This is the perfect wind-down band, which is a godsend for student bodies far and wide at this time of the year.
The band will be playing at Stella Blue on Friday, the perfect venue for these groove angels.
"My favorite part about the music is seeing people's reactions when we play a song that really touches them," Thompson said. "There's nothing really more powerful than that."
Who: Kulica
When: Friday at 10 p.m.
Where: Stella Blue 3001 Central Ave.
Price: $5
info: 268-8667