John Kadlecik is a singer, songwriter, and musician based in the DC-area who can play most string instruments, but is primarily known for being a guitar-slinging sideman to Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir in the band Furthur. An original co-founder of the group Dark Star Orchestra, John has been performing improvisationally-oriented shows regularly since the late 1980’s and touring nationally for the last 20 years. His work also includes several studio releases of original music, and he is currently active with Melvin Seals & JGB in addition his own group, The John Kadlecik Band, and a “supergroup,” the Golden Gate Wingmen.
I had the chance to spend a little time with the original co-founder of Dark Star Orchestra and current member of Melvin Seals & JGB, John Kadlecik before his special ‘Solo Acousti’Lectric’ performance in Madison on August 24th at Atwood Music Hall. This will be an experience in its purest incarnation as he presents his ever-evolving solo act. We get into how he crafts a mesmerizing improvisational symphony, layering acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums, piano, and more — all triggered from a single electric guitar. Blending traditional solo performances with dynamic looping, he creates the energy and depth of a full band in real time. It has to be seen to be believed! So we take time to geek out over the tools he uses to put on such a dynamic on men type of a show. There is always time to talk about the stories keeping true to themselves, how Bobby & Phil were always guru-like and being in so many projects, how he, a collaborator by nature, keeps it all working.
