{"id":6496,"date":"2016-12-19T08:01:09","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T08:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/steampoweredgiraffe.com\/?p=6496"},"modified":"2016-12-19T08:30:14","modified_gmt":"2016-12-19T08:30:14","slug":"whats-next-for-steam-powered-giraffe-in-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/steampoweredgiraffe.com\/index.php\/2016\/12\/19\/whats-next-for-steam-powered-giraffe-in-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Next for Steam Powered Giraffe in 2017?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Howdy musical automaton enthusiasts!<\/span>
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\n<\/span>After wrapping up our last live show of the year in Bakersfield, California this past weekend, the band sees 2016 come to a close. We had a thoroughly enjoyable year full of concerts, conventions, music videos, and even a new album release. Our fans have truly humbled us this year, and we love seeing familiar faces, meeting new fans at our shows, and of course are always thankful for the love and support sent to us through email, fan mail, and our social streams!<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Now that our last show for the year is over, we feel the time is right to make a very big announcement for 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

Samuel Luke, who plays the beloved mustachioed robot \u201cHatchworth,\u201d is departing the band to pursue his own artistic endeavors. Sam approached the band a while ago about wanting to focus on his own personal art projects, but he wanted to stay on as a member until a suitable replacement for him could be found.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Sam joined the band in 2011 as a drummer to work with the band as they performed at the San Diego Zoo from 2011 to 2012; after which he became a lead robot performer after Jon Sprague\u2019s departure in 2012. It\u2019s been a fantastic ride with Sam and we\u2019ve accomplished much together in the last six years.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>It has taken quite a lot of time, but Isabella Bennett (Rabbit), David Bennett (The Spine), and Samuel Luke (Hatchworth) have found a replacement and have been training him for his debut.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please welcome Mr. Bryan Barbarin and his robot character \u201cZero\u201d to Steam Powered Giraffe!<\/span>
\n<\/span>Bryan is a friend of the Bennetts from their college days, well versed in musical theater, mime, acting, and a plethora of other talents. He even has his own band called \u2018The Routine\u2019 that he sings lead vocals in (<\/span>http:\/\/www.theroutineband.com\/#theroutine<\/span><\/a>).<\/span>
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\n\"hatch2zero\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Isabella, David, and Bryan had an improv troupe in college together, performed in college theater productions, and did a touring children\u2019s show under the direction of Jerry Hager (Kazoo the Mime of Seaport Village fame). Now Bryan joins the Bennetts on stage as the robot Zero, alongside ballet dancers\/Walter Workers Chelsea and Camille Penyak, and the band\u2019s sound engineer Steve Negrete.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Sam\u2019s departure is bittersweet for the band and many fans. No one can replace what he brought to the act with his character Hatchworth, but of course we wish him well in his artistic endeavors! There is an excitement in the air having a new performer on stage, and we\u2019re sure you\u2019ll fall in love with Bryan, Zero, and the next iteration of the act as we continue into the new year.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>However, we have a special holiday present for you to hint at things to come, and to wrap up 2016: A brand new song and music video featuring the newest member of Steam Powered Giraffe, Bryan Barbarin as Zero the robot!<\/span><\/p>\n