Local dreamscape, Stamper is a noteworthy addition to the Charlotte music scene. Born and raised in town, he was taught at an early age what a vibration did to an eardrum and what tone calmed and excited a crowd in a single chord. With his set up, he’s seen strumming a guitar, dancing it out in front of his turntables with ocular vessels closed, arms waving, feet moving and inviting you, the viewer, into his world. A day at a Stamper show is envisioned as one where you drink a few brews, settle on into a cozy little niche of a venue and float peacefully away into a conglomerate of their spins and base, a definite band for a party; a traveling escapism circus of funk, flirty fun and skill.
His sampling is a mixture of euro-vibe jams and sweet smelling summer club nights with umbrella stemmed drinks and a posh new taste for good music. If he had to be labeled, I guess what best fits is Mellow-vibetronica. Yes, his own category with the music enhanced with deftly played guitar rhythms, it sounds even to the most trained ear that there is no separation to these two things. Somehow he marries the pre-recorded and the live like a magician. Melancholy flows throughout my body while listening to “Be Here But Think There.” There seems to be a deeper and darker part to this artist trying to burst through that I think progressively will happen.
The live show has him sharing the stage with other artists doing for lack of better words, art. Some nights, you will see dancers across the stage or on a night like the other night at Salvador Deli, there were artists painting thick canvas and hula-hoop dancers strutting their stuff in circular formation. Stamper has made quite an impression on the Charlotte scene, when researching the band, I stumbled upon some friends, the extraordinary music super couple who host hundreds of bands at their house dubbed, “The Rock and Roll Motel,” Don and Laurie Koster and decided to get their view on what Stampers show is all about.
The Kosters are quite smitten with this local gem! From the first moment we discovered Andrew Stamper and his electronic masterpieces, we’ve been avid followers and repeat visitors, even inviting him to be a part of our summer parties! There’s nothing quite like listening and watching Stamper in the warm, starlit evenings, bodies swaying, heads bobbing and the cares or headaches of the day or the prior work-week melt away. For those few hours we can groove and escape into musical bliss. – Laurie Koster
I think she sums him up perfectly.
He’s not just another DJ trying to make some money. An interesting show to witness if you are needed a night of full blown escapism. You may have your chance this Saturday if you can make it out to his show at Genome in Uptown Charlotte.
