The richness of the Bay Area music scene is never more apparent than when noticing the variety of great instrumental music made here. Whether it’s Classical Revolution, the plethora of jazz combos young and old, or instrumental indie rock from the late, much missed Silian Rail, there’s likely something for everyone here.
One of the latest instrumental groups to spring up in the Bay, while new to most of us, is actually a duo with a long history. Hogs Of Change was originally formed in Vermont back in 2002 by electric pianist and visual artist Eli Geller, and drummer Ezra Lipp. They met in college in 2001, and struck up a quick and lasting musical connection that led to a working band playing out regularly on the east coast.
After completing a Music Performance/Jazz Studies BA from the University of Vermont in 2005, Ezra moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he studied tabla at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael. In time, he would establish himself as a sought after professional drummer, playing with San Francisco favorites like Kacey Johansing, Debbie Neigher, and Sean Hayes.
Eli eventually followed Ezra out to the Bay, settling in Bolinas and establishing a name for himself as a photographer and print artist. With his intention of reviving Hogs Of Change after what was seemingly just a temporary hiatus, the initial reunion didn’t work for various reasons. Ezra was resigned to the idea, at this point, that the Hogs were done. Eli, however, never lost hope.
The story is best told by Eli and Ezra in the interview, of course. But without giving away too much, yes, the ending is happy and the Hogs have been playing quite a few shows since restarting yet again this past December. Though Ezra will be on tour for the next several months, we can look forward to more music from Hogs Of Change when he returns.
The interview:
The performance:
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