The Morakestra
Encyclopedia
The Morakestra is an American rock band that was formed in El Paso, Texas
in the year 2000. The band started gaining more attention of the mainstream music scene after the release of the second album Witness To Connection. The album produced by Jim Ward (musician)
, and Gabriel Gonzalez of the band Sparta (band)
has been acclaimed by several reviewers and identified by its "addictive guitar riffs" and its multi-genre nature. The band has been categorized as a British music band by some reviewers for the style of guitar and the lyric content. The band primarily performs with Fender equipment consisting of two Fender Stratocaster
electric guitars played. The band started promoting their second album in 2009 and gained fans one by one.
; during this time original compositions were made, and the twin brothers played acoustically in local venues such as "Emo's" in Austin, TX. William Mora suffered an accident and broke both of his wrists in 2003, due to this event the band stopped playing. In 2006 after finishing studies and William Mora recovering from the band decided to record its first full length album. Named Live From Moraq, it was recorded in Pedernales Studio, Willie Nelson
's recording studio in Austin, TX. The album was recorded with different session musicians including Robert Palmer's longtime drummer Dony Wynn. The album had a concept of showcasing the music of the Mora's; hence the name which makes allusion of transmitting music live from another planet. It is made up of heavy musical experimentation such as off time playing, different tuning and keys for the recording. Several guitar tracks were recorded for a single song each with a different key and tuning. The album draws much influence from El Paso, TX band The Mars Volta
. The album was released in 2007 and the live performance of "Live From Moraq" consisted of musicians William and David Mora on guitars with Wolf Garret on bass and Jerry Palvino on drums.In 2008 after being introduced to artists such as Ghostland Observatory
,and other bands the brothers realized that a wider audience needed to be reached so decision was made to make a second album.
The second album named "Witness To Connection" has brought The Morakestra more success in the mainstream music scene while maintaining the style of music that was achieved in the first album. The album was recorded at Sonic Ranch recording studios in Tornillo, Texas
with Jim Ward
and Gabriel Gonzalez from the band Sparta
. The musical composition emphasized the creation of melodic songs with simple but interesting guitar pieces being followed by catchy guitar riffs and emotional lyrics. The album Witness To Connection
was guided by genius and artistic direction of a extremely influential artist that has been a lifetime inspiration to guitarist David Mora Jim Ward
. The album draws influence from instrumental roots of the 60's and 70's.The band was recently featured in the Texas Music Magazine where a description of the process of making Witness to Connection
is featured. Likewise the Austin Deli Magazine has been ranking Morakestra in the 10 most popular bands in Austin, Texas
in their top 300 list of the most popular bands in Austin, Texas
ranked by popularity since the release of the album, the band has on several occasions been ranked the number one band in this category. El Paso Music Magazine "Make El Paso Music" also featured the band in an article in said magazine. The band released a music video of the single Tell You Something directed by Tao Ruspoli
director of Fix
, the video was recorded in Los Angeles, California
and Salton City, California
. CSI: Miami
actress Megalyn Echikunwoke
is featured as the mysterious woman that guides the child in the video in a journey to find himself.
In February 2009 The Morakestra recorded its album "Witness To Connection." The Morakestra embarked on a small-scale publicity tour during the summer of 2009 and played in several different venues in the United States such as: The Viper Room
, Whiskey A Go Go, Troubadour (nightclub), House of Blues
at Dallas, Texas
and had the honor playing in the same venue with The Black and White Years
the event which was the official release concert; radio airplay in different cities of the United States was also achieved during this period. The Morakestra has finished their new album named Glass Ships and Bullet Trains The album was recorded and produced by Justin Leah.In October 2011 the Morakestra began rehearsals in New Orleans,Louisiana. The Morakestra is preparing for future shows scheduled in December 2011..
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
in the year 2000. The band started gaining more attention of the mainstream music scene after the release of the second album Witness To Connection. The album produced by Jim Ward (musician)
Jim Ward (musician)
James David Ward is an American musician. A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band Sparta; he was also the co-founder of the seminal post-hardcore band At the Drive-In.-At the Drive-In:While in At the Drive-In, Ward played rhythm guitar and...
, and Gabriel Gonzalez of the band Sparta (band)
Sparta (band)
Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward and Tony Hajjar are former members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In...
has been acclaimed by several reviewers and identified by its "addictive guitar riffs" and its multi-genre nature. The band has been categorized as a British music band by some reviewers for the style of guitar and the lyric content. The band primarily performs with Fender equipment consisting of two Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
electric guitars played. The band started promoting their second album in 2009 and gained fans one by one.
History
The band was formed around the year 2000, after twin brothers William and David Mora with their cousin Paul Mora started an instrumental band called "The Mora's Band" In 2002 the twin brothers moved to Austin, TX to attend St. Edward's UniversitySt. Edward's University
St. Edward's University is a private Roman Catholic institution of higher learning located south of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. The university offers a liberal arts education and its campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Austin. The campus's most notable landmark is Main...
; during this time original compositions were made, and the twin brothers played acoustically in local venues such as "Emo's" in Austin, TX. William Mora suffered an accident and broke both of his wrists in 2003, due to this event the band stopped playing. In 2006 after finishing studies and William Mora recovering from the band decided to record its first full length album. Named Live From Moraq, it was recorded in Pedernales Studio, Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
's recording studio in Austin, TX. The album was recorded with different session musicians including Robert Palmer's longtime drummer Dony Wynn. The album had a concept of showcasing the music of the Mora's; hence the name which makes allusion of transmitting music live from another planet. It is made up of heavy musical experimentation such as off time playing, different tuning and keys for the recording. Several guitar tracks were recorded for a single song each with a different key and tuning. The album draws much influence from El Paso, TX band The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and...
. The album was released in 2007 and the live performance of "Live From Moraq" consisted of musicians William and David Mora on guitars with Wolf Garret on bass and Jerry Palvino on drums.In 2008 after being introduced to artists such as Ghostland Observatory
Ghostland Observatory
Ghostland Observatory is an American music duo based in Austin, Texas. Their music has been described as a combination of electro, rock and funk by Allmusic, and "electro-dance soul rock" by Gothamist....
,and other bands the brothers realized that a wider audience needed to be reached so decision was made to make a second album.
The second album named "Witness To Connection" has brought The Morakestra more success in the mainstream music scene while maintaining the style of music that was achieved in the first album. The album was recorded at Sonic Ranch recording studios in Tornillo, Texas
Tornillo, Texas
Tornillo is a census-designated place and border town in El Paso County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,609 at the 2000 census. It is part of the El Paso Metropolitan Statistical Area...
with Jim Ward
Jim Ward (musician)
James David Ward is an American musician. A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band Sparta; he was also the co-founder of the seminal post-hardcore band At the Drive-In.-At the Drive-In:While in At the Drive-In, Ward played rhythm guitar and...
and Gabriel Gonzalez from the band Sparta
Sparta (band)
Sparta is an American band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. Founding members Jim Ward and Tony Hajjar are former members of post-hardcore group At the Drive-In...
. The musical composition emphasized the creation of melodic songs with simple but interesting guitar pieces being followed by catchy guitar riffs and emotional lyrics. The album Witness To Connection
Witness to Connection
Witness To Connection is the second studio album made by The Morakestra and was released under the Indie label Stratking Records. The album was promoted in mainstream media and has given The Morakestra attention from critics and mainstream media. The album was recorded at different locations in...
was guided by genius and artistic direction of a extremely influential artist that has been a lifetime inspiration to guitarist David Mora Jim Ward
Jim Ward (musician)
James David Ward is an American musician. A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band Sparta; he was also the co-founder of the seminal post-hardcore band At the Drive-In.-At the Drive-In:While in At the Drive-In, Ward played rhythm guitar and...
. The album draws influence from instrumental roots of the 60's and 70's.The band was recently featured in the Texas Music Magazine where a description of the process of making Witness to Connection
Witness to Connection
Witness To Connection is the second studio album made by The Morakestra and was released under the Indie label Stratking Records. The album was promoted in mainstream media and has given The Morakestra attention from critics and mainstream media. The album was recorded at different locations in...
is featured. Likewise the Austin Deli Magazine has been ranking Morakestra in the 10 most popular bands in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in their top 300 list of the most popular bands in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
ranked by popularity since the release of the album, the band has on several occasions been ranked the number one band in this category. El Paso Music Magazine "Make El Paso Music" also featured the band in an article in said magazine. The band released a music video of the single Tell You Something directed by Tao Ruspoli
Tao Ruspoli
Tao Ruspoli is an Italian American filmmaker and musician.-Background:Ruspoli is the second son of occasional actor and aristocrat Prince Alessandro Ruspoli, 9th Prince of Cerveteri and Austrian-American actress Debra Berger. He is the older brother of Bartolomeo dei Principi Ruspoli , second...
director of Fix
Fix (film)
Fix is a 2008 feature film directed by Tao Ruspoli starring Shawn Andrews, Olivia Wilde, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Tao Ruspoli, Dedee Pfeiffer and Andrew Fiscella.- Plot :...
, the video was recorded in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and Salton City, California
Salton City, California
Salton City is a census-designated place in Imperial County, California. The population was 3,763 at the 2010 census, up from 978 at the 2000 census. It is the largest Imperial County development on the Salton coast. It is part of the El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
actress Megalyn Echikunwoke
Megalyn Echikunwoke
Megalyn Ann Echikunwoke is an American actress and model.-Early life:Echikunwoke was born on May 28, 1983, in Spokane, Washington, but she was raised on a Navajo Native American Reservation in Chinle, Arizona. She is the daughter of a Nigerian-Igbo father and a German/Scots-Irish American mother...
is featured as the mysterious woman that guides the child in the video in a journey to find himself.
In February 2009 The Morakestra recorded its album "Witness To Connection." The Morakestra embarked on a small-scale publicity tour during the summer of 2009 and played in several different venues in the United States such as: The Viper Room
Viper Room
The Viper Room is a nightclub located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. It was opened in 1993 and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp until 2004. The club became known for being a hangout of Hollywood elite, and was the site where actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose on...
, Whiskey A Go Go, Troubadour (nightclub), House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
at Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and had the honor playing in the same venue with The Black and White Years
The Black and White Years
The Black and White Years are an indie art rock band based in Austin, Texas. Formed in 2006, the band consists of Scott Butler, Landon Thompson and John Aldridge. Scott, Landon, and John met while attending college in Nashville, Tennessee...
the event which was the official release concert; radio airplay in different cities of the United States was also achieved during this period. The Morakestra has finished their new album named Glass Ships and Bullet Trains The album was recorded and produced by Justin Leah.In October 2011 the Morakestra began rehearsals in New Orleans,Louisiana. The Morakestra is preparing for future shows scheduled in December 2011..
Discography
- Tension Span EP (2005)
- Live From MoraqLive from MoraqLive From Moraq was the first studio album made by The Morakestra and was released under the Indie label Stratking Records. The album was never presented to the media in a grand scale and it was performed in different places in Austin, TX with a revolving lineup of session artists. It received...
(2008) - Witness To ConnectionWitness to ConnectionWitness To Connection is the second studio album made by The Morakestra and was released under the Indie label Stratking Records. The album was promoted in mainstream media and has given The Morakestra attention from critics and mainstream media. The album was recorded at different locations in...
(2009) - Glass Ships And Bullet Trains (2011)