VERONICA PENOYER
Staff Writer
“I love Yonic” seemed to be the quote of the night from audience members at Ellicottville Brewing Company this past Friday, April 17. Known for performing all around Fredonia at venues ranging from BJ’s to the local party house formerly known as The Jungle, Yonic performed three full sets, one almost completely from their new album, “Gin & Yonic.” No matter which song the band performed, the audience indulged in every aspect.
Yonic was created by junior guitarist and vocalist, Sean Patrick, during his sophomore year, with two friends. Currently he is joined by guitarist and vocalist Ryan Schindler, drummer and vocalist Brian McMahon and keyboardist, vocalist and organist Paul Sottnik. Over the years, Yonic has been forced to transform with new members due to various reasons. Schindler, added to create a “richer sound,” has played almost every instrument — from bassist to his current position as guitarist. Nonetheless, Yonic has always been able to preserve the Yonic sound everyone so deeply enjoys.
Mike Vadala of The Michael Vadala Trio also joined Yonic on stage on synthesizer, as well as Nicole Porcaro on violin and Shane Sullivan on alto and tenor sax.
Bands are known for their genre of music and sometimes even their name. Unique down to the sound of the word, “Yonic” means “of or relating to the shape of a vagina.”
“We originally chose it as a crude metaphor for music for all humans, as we all originate from a ‘yonic,’ if you will,” said Patrick.
That’s not the only unique quality Yonic has to bring, as their sound has a wide range. Either they were serenading the crowd with the solo keyboard and smooth saxophone that relaxed the audience, into the rhythm of the beat, or they gave off a funky vibe with the quintessential guitars and drums. Either way, the audience never stopped moving.
More identifiably, the band calls their music “psychedelic reggae, blues, jazz and funk.”
“I remember seeing Yonic perform at The Jungle, and I’ve got to say their sound is unique, but I can always identify with them,” remembers Dan Spinner, a sophomore psychology major. “They remind me of Pink Floyd with a lot of psychedelic influences but at the same time seem very experimental and ravage.”
Though they’ve performed many places, house shows are what stand out to Patrick.
“It feels really good to have an album out,” said Patrick when asked of his feelings toward releasing an album. “Someone said, ‘How does it feel to be immortalized?’ and it made me realize that publishing an album is truly becoming a piece of a large archive of arts that will live far longer than myself or any of us.”
The album consists of songs such as: “Metaphysical Muse,” “Listen to Some Reggae,” “ Take it Easy” and “Gangsta Life.” Though all different from each other, the overall quality of sound was key. The simple yet intriguing tranquility of each song has the power to distract one’s mind through different atmospheres of one’s consciousness. The title of each song acts as a preview of what mood will be created.
Yonic is very free-spirited, and they play as such. It didn’t matter whether they played a short song or a drawn-out song — each is meant to sway the audience to whatever groove they’re feeling.
“I just hope people enjoy themselves when we play, or enjoy listening to our record now,” said Patrick. “If that joy extends into the lives of our listeners, I suppose we’ve added a little more happiness to this world. If I had any advice, I suppose it would be to keep working at it; we certainly haven’t had a great deal of success, and half the battle is fighting to keep your will strong when things get difficult.”