Cambiata brings musicianship to emo rock

According to www.dictionary.com, “cambiata” is a musical term referring to a series of changing notes a few tones above one another.

According to Sean Morin, Chris Moulton, Daniel McKellick, Miguel Barajas and Stan Dzengelewski, it’s also the name of a post-hard-core/emo band from central Maine, of which those aforementioned guys are the members.

A little-known music theory term is appropriate for Cambiata: The band is a highly structured, compositionally complex unit. Lead guitarist Sean Morin even studies composition and theory for guitar – after a stint in the metal band Barium, he studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, later transferring to the University of Maine at Augusta’s jazz program.

“The band made me come back to Maine,” said the 22-year-old Morin, speaking from his cell phone, in between teaching guitar lessons. “We were all mutual friends, and in the spring of ’04 we got together. I’d never really played with musicians who were note savvy and into talking about arrangements and things like that. It was really refreshing.”

Morin, drummer McKellick (also a former member of Barium), co-guitarist Barajas and bassist Dzengelewski shopped around lead singers until settling on Chris Moulton, the energetic, charismatic former front man for In the Arms of Providence, a now-defunct but once very popular southern Maine band.

Where other local emo acts get by on passionate vocals and power chords alone, Cambiata has all that plus the musical chops to back it up. The jazz influence is at the forefront, as Morin’s intricate guitar work blends with Barajas’, and Dzengelewski and McKellick provide solid support.

Cambiata is set to play tonight at the Underground in Bangor, with a big lineup of fellow Maine bands in an all-ages show. Morin said the band, which is based mostly in Lewiston and Augusta, loves to play in the Bangor area.

“There’s this great feeling in the Bangor area, as well as in the Kennebunk area,” said Morin. “The kids come out. If you give them the time and the space, they’ll really support the scene. They like to be a part of something. They appreciate it more than some other places, I think.”

Cambiata will play tonight at the Underground, located on the Bangor-Hermon line on Outer Hammond Street, with Too Late the Hero, Soundbender, Linden, Island View Drive and Hat Trick Avenue. Doors open at 7 p.m.; admission is $10 at the door. For information, visit www.myspace.com/cambiata. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.

Supporting acts

The 30th annual Common Ground Country Fair, set for this weekend in Union, features all sorts of music, in addition to usual attractions like yummy organic food, sheepdog demonstrations and exhibits on sustainable living. This year’s lineup includes Los Federales, Tree By Leaf, Shawn Mercer and the Bookdock Blues Band, Ill Natural, the Coming Grass, Dave Mallett and more. The fair is held Friday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Union Fairgrounds. For information, visit www.mofga.org.