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Tribute Band of the Week
Erotic City purify themselves in the world of Prince
Photo: myspace.com
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Every week, Encore will highlight a tribute band with an upcoming show in New York City. Today’s installment: Erotic City.
Few musicians are as controversial as Prince—and I don’t mean that in a Tipper Gore/”Darling Nikki” kind of way. Some people think Prince is a genius, brilliantly mixing funk and rock ‘n’ roll, while others think he’s a hack and too weird to be taken seriously. I’m in the first category, and though his last few albums have been a little ordinary, it’s only because he’s been so great in the past with Purple Rain and Sign O’ the Times that we can consider something called Lotusflow3r to be “ordinary.”
As the lead singer of Erotic City, a Prince tribute band, Julian Stefon obviously agrees. How could you not enjoy a song like “Strange Relationship”? If you want to show off your Prince pride, head to B.B. Kings on Saturday, September 11, at 11 p.m. to see Erotic City in person. Tickets can be purchased here.
What got you interested with Prince in the first place?
What got me into Prince was the high energy sounds of funk rock and r&b fused together with a explosive look and appeal that was unmatched by any artist. It was a killer package.
How did Erotic City the group come together?
I formed Erotic City after leaving Chicago several years ago and recruited the funkiest musicians in town. It’s the tightest band I’ve ever had.
Of all of Prince’s songs, why choose to name your band “Erotic City”?
It had a lot to do with the mystic of being different. Bold and daring. but straight to the point. Totally funkafied.
Have you had any contact with the actual Prince?
My best moment was being invited on stage with Prince to sing “Kiss” as he told the crowd that I was his nephew. I have also been in touch with him throughout the years since then.
Do you perform material throughout his career, or just the “hits,” so to speak?
I love playing b-sides as well as the hits, but “Erotic City” was a b-side and it’s a jam like many others. What I love about doing this show is that it allows me to do everything I ever wanted to do!
Have you ever been to Lake Minnetonka, and if so, were you purified?
I have been to Lake Minnetonka [laughs], and I was purified.
Favorite song? Least favorite song?
My favorite to play and sing is “The Beautiful Ones,” and my least favorite is “Ronnie, Talk to Russia.”
Previous TBotW
Sons Heirs=The Smiths
KISSNation=KISS
Black Dog=Led Zeppelin