The magic rule of three can be applied to multiple facets. In music, one needs to look no further than Syracuse, N.Y., to see how it thrives in the industry.

Sophistafunk, a Syracuse-based band, has agreed to a month-long performance contract with

Funk ‘n Waffles throughout July. The band will perform at Funk ‘n Waffles every Thursday starting this week. Doors will open at 8 p.m. for each show, and the band will take the stage at 9 p.m. The group also plans to bring a different guest to each show to join their set.

The band is made of Adam Gold, Emanuel Washington and Jack Brown, three musicians with assorted artistic backgrounds who have come together to take part in a marriage between funk, hip-hop, rap and poetry.

The group’s songs ― such as “Wil’ Out,” which has received considerable Internet fame ― feature an eclectic mix of sounds, including retro synth, blaring bass action and a brand of rap that is not often heard on Top 40 lists. Their featured influences on Facebook include heterogeneous mixtures such as the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Public Enemy and the Wu-Tang Clan.

Gold is a Renaissance man within the band who plays the keyboard, synthesizer and beat boxes, among other nontraditional instruments. In addition to experimenting with different rhythms with the rest of Sophistafunk, he is an employee at Funk ‘n Waffles.

Elizabeth DeWolfe, a senior English education major at Syracuse University, works with Gold at Funk ‘n Waffles.DeWolfe will be working during Sophistafunk’s first July show. Having seen them perform live before, she’s happy to have the chance to see them play again.

“They’re different from what’s on the radio right now,” DeWolfe said.

She talked about their likeability, how chill the band’s members are and how enjoyable it is to spend time with them. She said their personalities made her like the group even more.

DeWolfe struggled to find the words to describe exactly what kind of music Sophistafunk plays. While rap is prominently featured in their performances, she said, it is really a meshing of different musical elements. She also took note of their stage presence.

Said DeWolfe: “They really connect with the audience.”

Published on July 11, 2012 at 12:35 pm

Contact Chelsea: cedebais@syr.edu | @CDeBaise124