They play music on the ‘sidewalk’ throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, but how these performers use their instruments live is also part of the fun. Meet Sonic Caravan, a two-person team that brings groves on two specially-designed tricycles.
Video Content: Sonic Caravan (2018)
Recorded in Pt. Richmond, host Richard R. Lee meets Sonic Caravan, an unique two-person team, comprised of keyboardist Jennifer Murphy and drummer Beau Faw, playing music while sitting on tricked-out tricycles.
Mini-Biography: (from Jennifer Murphy Music website)
Sonic Caravan is a band on wheels that takes its music to outdoor parties, street fairs, bike festivals, parks, and other spaces and events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. The group plays an eclectic mix of grooves and has received an enthusiastic response from a wide cross-section of people. Featuring Jennifer Murphy on her tricked-out keyboard tricycle and Beau Faw on his multidimensional drum set tricycle, Sonic Caravan brings a creative new twist to live music. With its own portable power source, the group brings a full sound and musical energy to locations that present logistical obstacles for conventional bands. Tailoring its performance to each gig, Sonic Caravan sometimes pulls in special guests or plays music away from its tricycles, using traditional gear. Jennifer and Beau developed their musical trikes independent of one another, each motivated by a desire to create their own spontaneous gigs.
Jennifer conceived of her trike while sitting in with San Francisco street corner musicians, lamenting the piano’s lack of portability. To defray expenses, she secured a grant from the Awesome Foundation. Meanwhile, Beau had also bought a trike and used his creative and fabrication skills to add a drum set, working from his East Bay studio. He initially played his trike along the Richmond shoreline, accompanied by his dog Chet, who has since become a core member of Sonic Caravan. It was only later that the two musicians – who grew up playing music together – reconnected and discovered their shared tricycle projects. After doing a few test runs, Jennifer and Beau decided to turn their intermittent trike forays into a regular act.
Interview Credits:
Recorded: April 21, 2018
Host / Producer / Editor: Richard R. Lee
Special Thanks To: Jennifer Murphy and Beau Faw, Point Richmond