After the 2011 Black Swamp Arts Festival Joe Bagale can probably
consider himself a veteran festival performance artist. Fans of Lenka
Dusilova’s 2007 BSAF performances may remember Bagale as the energetic
drummer providing the pulse for the Czech singer’s edgy folk rock music. This year Bagale returns to the
Main Stage twice, once behind the
drums for rhythmn ‘n’ blues vocalist Crystal Monee Hall’s set on
Saturday and again as band leader for his own set on Sunday morning. The
California-based multi-instrumentalist is eager to return to a festival
and a town that showed so much hospitality during his past visits.
“I have only been to Bowling Green twice, both on gigs,
but both times it was a blast,” he said in a recent telephone interview.
“Everyone was so great and so hospitable.”
With an extensive background studying drums and percussion, including
time at the Eastman School of Music, Bagale’s solo music incorporates a
diverse palette of instrumentation, technological tools and vocal
effects.
His 2008 self titled debut album was a pure solo effort, with Bagale
dubbing multiple instruments and vocal parts in a recording that runs
the gamut of pop, indie rock and R&B. Although he will be joined by
Hall on vocals during his set at BSAF, those musical skills will be
showcased Sunday morning.
“I do a lot of one-man shows where I am looping things,” he said. “I
might loop some drums or vocals and add in some guitar or keyboards. You
will see me moving around the drum set and doing all kinds of things.”
Bagale has been hard at work on his sophomore album, due out this fall,
which will showcase his evolution as a songwriter, performer and
producer. The new recording uses multiple vintage synthesizers to
capture a vibe Bagale calls “eclectic soul” music.
“My songwriter has grown a lot, both as a lyricist and as a melodic
writer, so there is less emphasis on the jamming aspect and more
emphasis on the songs,” he said.
In addition to performing with multiple groups and recording diverse
music, Bagale also lends his talents to other artists as a producer.
He has produced three full-length albums over the past three years and
has supported additional projects ranging from indie rock, to bluegrass
to mainstream pop.