BOISE, IDAHO AFRO-INDIE » LISTEN!

Band

How’d a farmboy from Northern Idaho and a Yoruba boy from Lagos West Africa come together to
create genre-bending, eclectic music in Boise, Idaho?

For Dayo Ayodele, it started when at age 22 he migrated to study film in California. It was his first trip to the United States and without family or friends to ease the transition, he launched into his early adult life as a student. Thanks to his Grandma’s influence, he grew up playing African percussion instruments at church and was entrenched in deep cultural traditions and music, but it wasn’t until moving to Idaho years after obtaining his film degree that he brought his drumming into his life in the US. Just like back home in Nigeria, it proved to be a way to connect with people in the community and build a new beginning in Boise. The city was multi-cultural however many communities kept to themselves and Dayo begin to see the power music had to pull people together.

About the same time Dayo was studying film in California, Todd Dunnigan made the decision to drop out of college. Music’s call was so strong there was no other choice. So he hit the road playing and touring with a variety of musical acts singing and playing keyboard. His career progressed to include starting The Audio Lab recording studio, being a side musician for a huge variety of artists, and a professional job playing piano for a Southern Baptist church. Piano players love Gospel music like guitar players love the Blues and the same was true for Todd.

The paths of these musicians merged at the right moment in time and they brought their creative forces
together to deepen the styles and messages in Afrosonics’ sound. Out of the desire to bring
communities together, Afrosonics creates music featuring a collective of musicians from the Middle
East, Europe, Africa, South America and the United States. At the heart of the group’s progression, the
band has conscientiously integrated new American musicians (former refugees from war torn areas of
the world) into the collective that is Afrosonics. The genre twist deepens with the infusion Idaho musicians into the collective with roots in country, rock, jazz and opera. Every nation voices bring many paths together in one musical destination.

Since their inception in the summer of 2013, AFROSONICS has performed at venues such as the Treefort Fest, The Festival at Sandpoint, World Village, Folklife Festival (Seattle), Art in the Park, Boise 150th Celebration, and other social gatherings. Their eclectic blend of influences will surly help others appreciate the rich tapestry of world culture through the magic of music.

Dayo “Ariwo” Ayodele

Heralds from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. Community building and music are where his true devotion lie. He is the group leader. He helps with the musical arrangements, production and is a multi-percussionist and songwriter for the group. The origins of all music can be traced back to Africa and he honors this tradition by singing and dancing to African inspired songs any day, anytime.

Todd Dunnigan

A native of Idaho, is a multi-faceted keyboardist, vocalist and record producer, and has worked in nearly every area of the music business. He first started playing professionally when he was 15 in his hometown of Boise, Idaho. Throughout the 80’s & 90’s he played and toured with a variety of acts, including Smokey Robinson, The Moody Blues, Boz Skaggs, Gary US Bonds and the national touring company of Beauty and the Beast. In 1988, he produced his first album, “Small Pond,” a compilation of local Boise artists. Over the last 15 years, Dunnigan has produced hundreds of albums for every type of artist from punk to polka. These experiences have provided him with a diverse palette of first-hand musical knowledge to draw upon.

Cathima Kodet

African singer and dancer, Multi-percussionist has been drumming and dancing from a young age and has risen to the status of a Performer. He is a native of Congo Brazzaville and a former refugee in the country of Gabon in Africa. He relocated to Boise in 2010 with his older brother and parents. Dance and music are his passion; a sentiment clearly shared by the other members of the group.

Our Instruments

Some of the drums and string instrument used in performances are the ancestors of a Western counterpart, some people may be somewhat familiar with the congas. However the beautiful Bouzouki and the huge Djundjun will be novel to most audience members. Other exciting musical experiences await with the Agogo, Shekere, Ngoma and Djembe.

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you.  Hit us up anytime at theafrosonics@gmail.com.  You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!