Mecca Bodega
Mecca Bodega is a percussive driven band from New York City featuring imaginative rhythmists Marc and Paul Mueller. With eight CD releases and extraordinary live performances, they continue to create a unique, refreshing sound that is both hypnotic and filled with dynamic energy. Mecca Bodega’s vibrant new CD release, Raise The Tent, includes high energy performances by Djembe master Dr. Djo Bi. Chris Merwin adds tiple, Shakuhachi flute, and steel guitar and Charley Buckland plays mountain dulcimer and bass guitar.
Instruments of Mecca Bodega
The instruments featured on their compact discs and movie scores range from African drums and Brazilian percussion to hammered dulcimer, found objects, guitars, didjeridoo, and voice. Mecca Bodega is a part of the Music Under New York program and when not touring can be heard performing all over the city, from Grand Central Station to Lincoln Center.
Mecca Bodega has been featured on National Public Radio broadcasts of “New Sounds” on WNYC and Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion” with Simon 7 of Didjworks. They’ve recorded several film scores, including HBO’s Subway Stories, directed by Jonathan Demme; they also appeared in this film. Mecca Bodega worked with Public Enemy and Stephen Stills on the soundtrack for the Spike Lee movie, He Got Game. Their music has been a part of several internationally aired PBS programs including Hasten Slowly: The Life of Sir Laurens Van Der Post, and most recently, the group is featured in the German documentary, Musik Im Untergrund. Songs from their Skin CD are part of the DVD Flower Child, Beautiful Poetry For Beautiful Children.
The band has collaborated with Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing), Mary Lorson (Madder Rose), Chris Rael (Church of Betty), Kevin Salem and numerous other performers. In addition, Paul has been busy recording and producing CDs and DVDs in his studio, including the Jammy’s 2003/2004 DVD releases featuring the Allman Brothers, Bob Weir, Jon Scofield, Steve Winwood and others.
Having an insatiable appetite for touring, Mecca Bodega has touched audiences nationally and internationally, including performances at Lollapollooza ’92, Woodstock ’94, Celebrate Brooklyn Summer Festival, Merkin Concert Hall, Lincoln Center – Avery Fisher Hall and tours of the U.S. and of Australia.
Whether it is the acclaimed soundtrack for HBO’s Subway Stories, a PBS documentary or their high energy, dance-inducing festival shows, their imaginative music has been heard around the world.