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What is their musical style? Members of Antioquia will currently answer "progress rock meets Afrocolombian rhythm," "tropical rock fusion" or simply, "musica para la revolucion." Their music has also been called "funked-out world rock fusion," and "I'm not really sure." In any case, the music created by this Berkeley-based quartet of 3 gentlemen and a lady can only be truly and accurately described as, well, "Antioquia" - - and is something that must be experienced!

While the eclectic atmosphere of the San Francisco Bay Area is the perfect incubator for such a sound, Antioquia’s conception took place much farther south in the state of Colombia that gave the band its name... and where guitarist Adley Penner and drummer Craig Miller discovered their musical chemistry. The two northern transplants first met in 2003 while playing music in Ecuador. They traveled together to Medellin where they became enthralled with Afro-Colombian folklore music, and took lessons from accomplished percussionist Juan Guillermo.

In June 2006, Miller and Penner moved to SF and performed with three different bassists until a Craigslist ad delivered Paul Martin. With a soulful playing style and a penchant for experimentation, Martin proved to be the perfect fit. Maddy Streicek joined the group in December 2006. Her inspired vocals and passion for performance completed the equation.

Antioquia pulls inspiration from artists and visionaries ranging from Muddy Waters to Megadeth, Phish to Fela Kuti, Grace Slick to Gandhi, Toto la Momposina to Talking Heads. But what distinguishes Antioquia from other genre-bending acts are the rhythms that permeate their sound, from the Afro-Colombian garabato and puya to their adaptations of West African dunun rhythms, and their dedication to sustainable living and non-violent action.

Each member pushes the others to explore unfamiliar territory, understanding that it’s within the intersections and clashes of their individual musical styles that the juiciest combinations are found. Peppered with fits of improvisation, bouts of silliness and crowd-rousing percussion pieces performed off stage, an Antioquia set is everything but predictable. That said, each show can be depended upon to bring the audience closer to the stage and closer together.

Read more about where the band was born on the Antioquia MySpace Page.