Lavoy's music stuns audience speechless

March 2, 2007I try not to be biased with these weekly music articles. I try to give coverage to as many musicians as contact me about their musical endeavors, although usually I resort to soliciting them. I try not to show favoritism to any music acts.

But sometimes, because some musicians do so much to be noticed, it's difficult to not be impressed, and consequently, reciprocate with frequent features in the &#8220Making Music” column.

Such is the case with local progressive rock group Lavoy.

Lavoy recently performed their prog rock spectacle at Sophia's Kafe Neo, a Valley venue that has made press with its progressive music scene.

Although venues in the Valley have a reputation for coming and going, I'm glad their still coming.

I hope Kafe Neo will continue to host performances like the one I saw recently. If they do continue, they are sure to stick around for a while.

Lavoy played to an awed crowd of more than 50 spectators. I stress the term

&#8220spectator.”

The crowd actually watched the band.

I didn't see a mosh pit, which is common at local rock shows.

I didn't see a lot of discussion, very little socializing.

What I did see was an audience of mostly teens, most of whom seemed transfixed on the performance.

Lavoy's music is like a blast from the past and a fast-forward to the future at once.

In my mind, progressive rock is nothing more than a name given to whomever is trying something new with music.

Progressive rock doesn't mean a certain genre or style of music, but rather a

transcendence of such trappings.

I think of bands like Rush, Emerson Lake and Palmer, The Mars Volta, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd.

Bands that don't represent trends, but instead use trends as a starting point for a transition from the norm - whatever the norm may be.

Kafe Neo is progressive in it's own way as well.

Where most new venues have usually been located in Wasilla or Palmer, Kafe Neo is located near the perceived mid-point of the Valley, roughly between Wasilla and Palmer on the aptly named Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

I hope this central

location will give them the edge they need to be a &#8220Valley” venue, focusing on the music scene of the Valley as a whole.

The vibe of the venue was equally as pleasing as its central locale, which probably contributed to the success of the recent Lavoy show.

The decor, which is often lacking at local venues, was the perfect backdrop for the Lavoy experience - very artistic and

unexpectedly pleasant.

The crowd appreciated the music because the environment encouraged it, and because Lavoy was awesome, and

worthy of audience admiration.

I strongly encourage music supporters in the Valley to go check out this newest

Valley venue, Sophia's Kafe Neo.

And definitely don't forget to check out Lavoy's tunes on the group's Web site at

www.myspace.com/lavoymusic

Make-a-Scene!

Josh Fryfogle is a local professional musician who owns 212 Music Group. He writes about music every Friday for &#8220Bullseye.”