Local band Rhodium returns to The Garden for a series of shows this spring/summer
by Miranda Steadman | Contributing Writer
Last month, West Of Free Press celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Garden by Charles Towne Fermentory on Ashley River Road. Local band Rhodium played the event, providing the perfect soundtrack for a celebratory evening. The band, which blends rock with a soulful hip-hop spirit, returns to The Garden this month to play the second in a series of shows this spring and summer at the relatively new outdoor West Ashley venue.
“We’re looking forward to returning to Charles Towne Fermentory’s Garden location, and the return of our group collaboration with Gavin Hamilton, called Hellacious Sauce, who debuted at Extra Chill Fest last year at the Pour House,” says frontman Indi Gxld.
The band’s moniker derives from the scientific name for the mineral black gold. Likewise, Rhodium the band fuses the black in band Black Zola with the gold from local rapper Indi Gxld. Rhodium, the metal, is a rare member of the platinum group and is commonly used as a catalyst. Similarly, Rhodium, the band, is proving to be a catalyst in revolutionizing the local music scene.
Rhodium’s sound offers a fresh, innovative blend of hip-hop and rock ‘n’ roll, with Indi Gxld on vocals and bars, Gecowets on guitar and vocals, and Fukui on keys and vocals. In addition to Black Zola and Rhodium, Gecowets also plays drums with Suede Cypress, while Fukui plays keys with locals Red Right Return.
“One of the more interesting things about Rhodium is the way that we write original music. There seems to be some sort of collateral understanding,” says Fukui. “If I bring something to the table and I have a complete vision of it … working with Indi Gxld and Josh will morph that into what Rhodium is. There’s a sincere trust in that process.”
Local musician Jah Smith joined the group onstage in March at The Garden for WOFP’s 20th anniversary party. This month, percussionist Chris Grimes from Sensational Vibes will join the group onstage, along with Travis Mood, who will sit in on drums throughout the night. Vocalist Gavin Hamilton will also join Rhodium with soulful vocals.
This lineup, which performs under the name Hellacious Sauce, will perform original music of Black Zola and Rhodium, in addition to covers from artists such as Silk Sonic, Pharrell, and The Gap Band, among others.
MistaMood Sr. and members of Mood Musiq and Sensational Vibes will open the April 4 show at The Garden. With a heavy background in Gospel, Blues, and R&B, Mista Mood Sr. (Travis Mood Sr.) is returning to the stage to assist Rhodium and Hellacious at The Garden, Gxld explained. Rhodium will play again to play The Garden on Saturday, May 10 and you can bet there will be more special guests joinin them for that show as well.
“The Garden is a space that has the potential to be one of the top outdoor venues in Charleston,” says Gecowets. “There’s an open space tucked back with trees and shade as well as good brews and laid-back bartenders.”
Rhodium will play April 4 and May 10 at The Garden by Charles Towne Fermentory, located at 1331 Ashley River Road.
