--- title: Inside the Seattle Funk Scene with Ben Bloom of The Polyrhythmics description: Ben Bloom of The Polyrhythmics and explore the Seattle funk scene and the band's music evolution, upcoming tours, and festival performances. image: https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Ben%20Bloom%20Polyrhythmics.jpeg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/ben-bloom-polyrhythmics#main-content) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) - Example Link - Example Link - Example Link 3 min read # Inside the Seattle Funk Scene with Ben Bloom of The Polyrhythmics [![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Feb 21, 2025 10:13:35 AM [band interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/band-interviews) ![Inside the Seattle Funk Scene with Ben Bloom of The Polyrhythmics](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Ben%20Bloom%20Polyrhythmics.jpeg) In Episode 30 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with [Ben Bloom](https://www.instagram.com/horseradishtree/) of the [The Polyrhythmics](https://www.polyrhythmics.com/), a Seattle-based powerhouse instrumental group that emerged from Seattle’s deep funk scene. Originally intended to be just a recording project, the band’s first live show revealed an unexpected energy that changed everything. With over 15 years of touring and recording, their evolving sound continues to blur genre lines, creating hypnotic grooves that keep audiences locked in. The band will be the Friday night headliner at the [Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/florida-whippersnap-music-festiva-shane-levigne) that is taking place at the [Florida Sand Music Ranch](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9vKuhye8V3_nlaK2lakIUeyivOA8xzKY) in Brooksville, FL from February 19th - 20th, 2025. Ben and I get into his background as a musician and some inspiration that can be traced back to a highly influential high school band director. We talk about the formation of The Polyrhythmics, their studio, upcoming album releases and some of their tour stops before and after their headlining Whippersnap.   ---   ### Up Next Week: My Conversation with Alex "Gator" Pertropulos of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. ![alex gator petropulos](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/alex%20gator%20petropulos.jpg?width=476&height=476&name=alex%20gator%20petropulos.jpg) Next week on the [Music Festivals Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/), I sit down with [Alex "Gator" Petropulos](https://www.instagram.com/gatorbeats), drummer for [Pigeons Playing Ping Pong](https://www.pigeonsplayingpingpong.com/), to talk about his journey with the band, their evolving sound, and what’s ahead in 2025. Alex joined Pigeons in 2015, stepping in as drummer and helping shape the band’s high-energy, improvisational style that has made them a favorite in the jam scene. In this episode, we dig into their latest album, *Day In Time*, their relationship with their dedicated fanbase “The Flock,” and the experience of hosting their own festival, [Domefest, now set at New River Gorge in West Virginia](https://www.domefestival.com/lineup/). Alex also shares insights on their current tour, which includes stops at Jam Cruise 21, All Good Now, and a headlining spot at [Sunshine Get Down](https://sunshinegetdown.com/) at Florida Sand Music Ranch. We also talk about the impact of live recordings, their take on Nugs.net and how that has impacted band marketing, and what it’s like to play in some of the most iconic jam venues and festivals in the country. If you’re a fan of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the jam scene, or just love hearing about life on the road, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Tune in for the full interview dropping next Friday! --- ### ![MFP 16x9 Outtro](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%2016x9%20Outtro.gif?width=443&height=249&name=MFP%2016x9%20Outtro.gif)Win 2025 Festival Passes for You and a Neighbor If you found this website for the first time on a Google Search, I’d love to have you [join The Neighborhood.](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/) That's our official email newsletter Neighborhood subscribes get exclusive content that's not published on the website or channels as well as chances to enter drawings for ticket giveaways to festivals all over the U.S. Subscribers also get access to discount codes and deals from our growing list of supporting partners.   Make sure to visit the homepage and [sign up to Join the Neighborhood](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/) with your email address. You'll get no more than one email each week as we roll into the spring and summer festival seasons. See you on the inside. 👋 --- ### ![Joanna ](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Joanna%20.jpg?width=300&height=400&name=Joanna%20.jpg)WinterWonderGrass Drawing Winner Announced! I'm thrilled to announce the winner of the passes to WinterWonderGrass 2025! 🍻 BIG CONGRATS to our neighbor [Joanna Goodman](https://www.instagram.com/jojoroll21)!  Joanna attended last year's festival on crutches, but is back on healed legs this year and ready to dance and ski in Steamboat! If you want to dance and ski too, you can still get passes at the [WinterWonderGrass website](https://winterwondergrass.com/). I want to extend extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible partners at [Bonfire Entertainment](https://bonfirentertainment.com/) and the WinterWonderGrass Festival for their generous support and collaboration in making this exciting ticket giveaway a possible!  And, a big thank you to Joanna for being a Neighborhood subscriber, tuning into the show each week and for entering the drawing. 🙏 --- ### Festival Performance of the Week:  This week’s featured festival performance is from tonight's headliner and our guest Ben and was recorded live at The Get Down in Portland, OR on 05/13/23. Released as part of their album *Filter System*. "Roller" showcases the band's signature blend of tight grooves, bold brass, and hypnotic percussion, creating a cinematic soundscape that that will get you out of your camp chair and to the first of the stage at a festival. The track exemplifies Polyrhythmics' evolution over more than a decade, as they continue to push the boundaries of funk by incorporating elements of R&B, progressive jazz, and Afrobeat. Polyrhythmics - “Roller’' Live at The Get Down Video Credit: [@‌Polyrhythmics](http://www.youtube.com/@Polyrhythmics)     - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![So Many Stories to Tell: Ed McGee on 30 Years of Hookahville](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Ed%20McGee%20Hookahville%20Headshot.png)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/ed-mcgee-hookahville) #### [So Many Stories to Tell: Ed McGee on 30 Years of Hookahville](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/ed-mcgee-hookahville) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Mar 29, 2025 4:33:48 PM In episode 35 of Music Festivals Podcast, I was privileged to sit down with one of my all time favorite singer-songwriters and guitarists, Ed Mcgee... [band interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/band-interviews) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/ed-mcgee-hookahville) [![The New Mastersounds: Behind 26 Years of FUNK with Eddie Roberts](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/EDDIE_ROBERTS_01-1.webp)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/the-new-mastersounds-funk-eddie-roberts) #### [The New Mastersounds: Behind 26 Years of FUNK with Eddie Roberts](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/the-new-mastersounds-funk-eddie-roberts) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Feb 14, 2025 4:54:29 AM This week I talk with Eddie Roberts about his long and amazing musical career, from his beginnings in Jazz to the formation of his funk band The New... [music festival venues](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-venues) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [band interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/band-interviews) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/the-new-mastersounds-funk-eddie-roberts) [![Armchair Boogie’s Ben Majeska on Summer the Tour & Pickin' on Picknick](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/ben%20majeska%20armchair%20boogie%201x1.jpg)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/armchair-boogie-ben-majeska-pickin-on-picknick) #### [Armchair Boogie’s Ben Majeska on Summer the Tour & Pickin' on Picknick](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/armchair-boogie-ben-majeska-pickin-on-picknick) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : May 16, 2025 11:02:48 AM In episode 42 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sat down with Ben Majeska—lead guitarist, vocalist, and one of the energetic forces behind Armchair... [band interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/band-interviews) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/armchair-boogie-ben-majeska-pickin-on-picknick) ##### About Music Festivals Podcast About Music Festivals Podcast ![NeighborN8 No Background](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png?width=323&height=242&name=NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png) I'm your host [@neighborN8fests](https://www.instagram.com/neighborn8fests/) (follow me on Instagram) and I am stoked to be your neighbor in this little festival adventure we're on.  Join me every Friday as we dive into the music festival scene with onsite footage, interviews, performances and even festival camping hacks so that you can know before you go... Music Festivals Podcast is a weekly podcast with new episodes every Friday everywhere you get your podcasts. Find daily videos of live festival performances and more on the [YouTube Channel.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgQs3tJlctNKPDLJ0_Fgyg) Want to get in touch? [Email Neighbor Nate.](mailto:neighborn8@musicfestivalspodcast.com) ##### Featured Festival Highlights Featured Festival Highlights   - Privacy Policy - Become a Guest - Sponsor a Season © 2026 Music Festivals Podcast is a production of NRMedia Group, LLC | All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Neighbor N8", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-21T15:13:35.086Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-21T15:13:35.000Z", "headline" : "Inside the Seattle Funk Scene with Ben Bloom of The Polyrhythmics", "image" : [ "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Ben%20Bloom%20Polyrhythmics.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/ben-bloom-polyrhythmics", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-2.jpg" } } } ```