Big Gigantic’s big buzz of late revolves around a well-chosen hook — dubstep with live instrumentation. Think dubstep meets jazz meets jam band. Instead of standing behind computers at their shows, Dominic Lolli (producer/saxophone) and Jeremy Salken (drums) rock a classic horn and tear up a drum kit. The multimedia fusion of bright lights, synths, and in-the- flesh instrumentation make for a memorable set. View any clip of their shows online and you’ll see hundreds of hands grooving in unison with Lolli’s melodic sax.
Big Gigantic plays at the House of Blues on November 16.
While Big Gigantic’s musicianship distinguishes the duo from traditional dubstep, Lolli and Salken are embedded in the national dubstep scene, opening for fellow Colorado- act Pretty Lights and the unstoppable Bassnectar. The act’s recent album Nocturnal reached number 2 on iTunes’ electronic charts — an impressive feat considering the release is available for free download at biggigantic.net.
It’s not just electronic fans who listen to Gigantic. The duo has attracted a sizable jam band base and performs at fest-circuit staples Mountain Jam and Jam Cruise. By introducing more organic, noodling elements to dubstep, they connect with Deadhead and basshead alike.
There’s also a noted degree of music theory in Lolli’s playing and production sense. His and Salken’s jazz and funk backgrounds elevate the music to a stand-alone soundtrack outside of the live show — sans the distraction of pulsing lights, exploding bass, and sweaty crowd. Still, that won’t keep New Orleanians from checking out the Big Gigantic experience in all of its sensory overloaded glory.
Big Gigantic plus Crizzly at House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 9 p.m. November 16.
