Among a handful of the most innovative, original and influential artists of our time, Narada Michael Walden’s stature as an authentic musical renaissance man is a matter of record.
Producing Hits for Artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin (including the platinum “Freeway of Love.”), Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Wynonna Judd, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Lionel Ritchie, Lisa Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck and The Temptations, the EMMY and multi-GRAMMY winner (Producer, Album and Song of The Year) has been at the helm of hit music that spans decades. His music flows freely from pop, rock and soul, to the rarified realms of jazz, fusion and world music. With Jeff Beck, Narada wrote and played drums on the seminal album “Wired” that earned them both their first Gold Album. Walden was an integral part of introducing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to millions of fans worldwide, producing and writing their breakthrough hits that first brought these divas to the spotlight. Billboard Magazine honored him as one of the Top Ten Producers of all time.
As impressive a production and songwriting resume as Narada Michael Walden has assembled over the past thirty years and counting, he has earned equal acclaim as a recording and performing artist in his own right. Beginning as a drummer first with the pioneering Mahavishnu Orchestra following Bill Cobham at 21 years old), Narada also toured with Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, and Weather Report. Through eleven acclaimed solo recordings, along the way he has branched into a wide range of sonic arenas. Walden’s music includes groundbreaking soundtrack work on such blockbuster films as The Bodyguard, Free Willy, Beverly Hills Cops II, 9 ½ Weeks and Stuart Little to the EMMY-winning “One Moment In Time,” the theme to the 1988 Olympic Games.
The list goes on, but the artistry of Narada Michael Walden is about more than charts positions and record sales. There is a powerful spiritual component at the heart of everything this richly gifted artist undertakes, an attuned and intuitive approach with a deep appreciation for music’s transforming power. Simply put, the artistry of Narada Michael Walden gets to the heart of matter, about matters of the heart.
It’s a commitment that reaches into the philanthropic arena as well, where Walden consistently lends his time and talent to causes ranging from the Cancer Society to funding music programs in the nation’s schools through his own foundation. For over 7 years running he has served as Music Director for the Rainforest Foundation Concert at Carnegie Hall, the high profile conversancy benefit spearheaded by Sting and Trudie Styler that has featured the likes of Elton John, Billy Joel, Ravi Shankar, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Bruce Springsteen, Lada Gaga, Bruno Mars and, of course, Sting himself.
His “Narada Michael Walden Foundation” delivers its services through a network of non-profit organizations with proven records of success in youth education and community empowerment. The Foundation also endows scholarships for aspiring musicians and enables the stars of tomorrow by offering emerging young artists from around the world access to recording facilities, coaching and production support.
In 2010 Narada did a very successful two year world tour as Drummer with the Jeff Beck Band.In early February, of 2012 Narada Michael Walden returned from a well received 10 day stint of shows with his own band at the Blue Note in Tokyo and Nagoya to perform at the White House in an all star band for President Obama’s “Red, White and Blues” Concert with legends B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Trombone Shorty, Booker T Jones and more. In 2013, Narada established his own Independent Label, Tarpan Records and released 2 new solo projects, Thunder 2013 and Rising Sun. In spring 2014 Tarpan Records signed Cheyanne Elliott, the granddaughter of Dionne Warwick. Narada is busy producing Cheyanne’s EP to come out in the fall of 2014, which will include a stunning duet with Dionne Warwick.
Walden’s prodigious energies have consistently driven him to keep on the cutting edge of the music industry. Narada continues to perform, write & record new music. He is tireless in his work to develop and mentor young musicians. For over 25 years he has been independently busy producing and recording new Artists as well as working on his own solo projects at his Marin County-based Tarpan Studios recording studio.
The River Valley Rangers (RVR) are a group of strapping young lads hailing from the Chicagoland region. We enjoy cornbread, long walks in the woods, craft brews, and and of course, bluegrass!
Robot Hilarious accurately portrays many well established genres while at the same time blending them into new musical territories. Influenced by turn of the century underground hip hop, 1930s and 40s folk, 1980s sci-fi funk, and by taking LSD, Robot taps the collective consciousness of a scattered generation aiming to collect the worthwhile bits in a lifeboat.
The band performs all over Chicago and the suburbs promoting their latest full length hip hop album, “It’s Official”
Known for exciting shows which range from spacey, psychedelic hip hop to neo-folk and dark rock, Robot Hilarious continues to see growing support from its fans and contemporaries.
Albatross was born in the year 1998 and has made a landmark in the current Nepali music scene. It all began when a couple of guys joined hands came together with their rusted guitars and other old instruments to transcend the sound of Nepali Alternative music, each of which has significantly influenced the music which the band creates.
Evolved from a three-man school band and now currently consisting of four members, Albatross has made their presence known nationally and internationally. With a huge influence amongst the current generation, Albatross is also popular amongst anyone who likes Nepali Contemporary Music.
We play Nepali Rock that addresses contemporary issues of Nepal. We love playing music that people can relate to, be it through music or the lyrics. We are a tight bunch of guys that love playing live, are true to our music and most importantly love what we do.
Sustainability is key everywhere especially when it comes to making music. We have had many talented musicians taking on other options to sustain themselves as a result spending less time in creating the art. As a band, we are back in the Kathmandu Live Music scene. We are determined to beat the odds and hope to stand out as an inspiration to other bands to keep on doing what they’re doing. We believe that Nepali musicians have a lot to offer not just to the music industry of Nepal but of the world.
The House On Cliff is a high-energy rock band from Boston Massachusetts with a passion to bring rock and roll back to the masses. Chad Michael Jervis (Lead Vocals), Charles Coleman (Guitar/Vocals), Marc Polit (Drums), and William Santana (Bass/ Vocals) met while studying at Berklee College of Music and the rest was history. Their first EP hits ears November 2014, a mix of groovable rock tunes produced by the masterful Dan Whittemore, recorded at The Madden Bros Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Although The House On Cliff is a fairly new band (Est. Sept 2013) in the past year they have been on three national tours, the most recent being The ABC’s Of Style Mall Tour (Sponsored by Simon Malls and Teen Vogue) performing alongside teen sensation IM5. The House On Cliff has also performed at some spectacularly noteworthy venues such as: The Troubadour (Los Angeles, CA), The Bottom Of The Hill (San Francisco, CA), The Mint (Los Angeles, CA), The Middle East (Cambridge, MA), The Red Room @ Cafe 939 (Boston, MA), World Cafe Live @The Queen (Wilmington, DE), The Nile Theater (Phoenix, AZ), Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA), CollegeFest @Fenway Park (Boston, MA) and they recently opened for Peter Frampton and The Doobie Brothers at the Bank Of New Hampshire Pavilion (Gilford, NH). The moment The House On Cliff hits the stage their goal is to make you fall in love with the beautifully ferocious beast that is rock and roll. Whether it be your first time or hundredth, no matter your age, they want you to know that rock and roll is not just for some, it is for everyone.
I’m a 22-year old singer/songwriter from California. I have been writing songs ever since I was 10-years-old. My songs are like a journal; they reflect all my feelings and emotions of what happens to me, or what I imagine, or what I dream of. My 3rd album, LEGACY was released August 12, 2014. I couldn’t reach my goals without my fans. I love and appreciate my Tiffanatics! ♥ Always Sm:)e!
Branded with the label of HEART HOP by loyal fans who saw something different in his style of hip hop. True emotional lyrics along with hard-hitting delivery, intricate production, and a high energy live show, Ekoh has something that hip hop music hasn’t seen in a long time, TRUE PASSION FOR THE ART OF HIP HOP MUSIC.
A song writer who can blur the lines between genres to create a truly amazing music experience. Blending hip hop with alt rock and everything in-between, Ekoh has a sound that will appeal to almost any music listener. “My music is about embracing REAL LIFE, the struggle, the good times, the frustration, the anger, the heartache. It’s all real because its all true. I have felt and experienced it all.” His unique sound and voice has gained a loyal following, and has taken the scene by storm.
This groundbreaking MC is destined to make his mark in hip hop music. Ekoh has performed with acts such as WU TANG CLAN, KOTTONMOUTH KINGS, EVERLAST, TECH N9NE, DILATED PEOPLES, AHER ROTH, GRIEVES, JEDI MIND TRICKS, ILL BILL, IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE, WATSKY, ANDRE NICKATINA, LOUIS LOGIC, SLAUGHTERHOUSE, SAGE FRANCIS, POTLUCK, GLASSES MALONE, MISTAH FAB, BIG B, SUNSPOT JONZ, MC CHRIS, ABSTRACT RUDE, and many others.
Ekoh has performed at venues such as House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Knitting Factory, Electric Theatre, Cal-Neva Resort, Beauty Bar, LVCS and more.
He has also performed on festivals such as the VANS WARPED TOUR and the EXTREME THING SPORTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL. One listen and it is impossible to deny his lyrical skills. After paying attention to the lyrics, it’s impossible to deny his ability to put feelings and emotions into words and relate with his audience.
Camel Heavy is a Doom Metal/Stoner Rock band from Chicago. The band features George Abariotis (Guitar) and Chris Shikami (Drums). They released their first self-titled EP in 2015.
Formed in 1969 in England, Wishbone Ash are one of the most influential guitar bands in rock history. Equally inspired by British folk, American jazz and R&B, the band did their part to help form the emerging rock ’n’ roll scene in the U.S. and the U.K. Through dedication to the craft of guitar harmony and melody, along with relentless touring, Wishbone Ash garnered a vast audience through public approval, critical praise and worldwide distribution of their extensive recording catalog.
In 2023 the band, led by founding member Andy Powell (guitarist, lead vocals), will mark the 50th anniversary of their biggest selling, multi-platinum album, “Live Dates,” with tours of Europe, North America and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., February and March will see the band traveling through the Northeast and Midwest, with an autumn tour through the South and West.
As the first live album released by the band, “Live Dates” features selections from Wishbone Ash’s first four albums performed in concert during the summer of 1973. Reviewers have consistently listed it among the finest live rock albums of all time.
“Live Dates” includes the cream of the early Wishbone Ash crop: King Will Come, Warrior, Throw Down the Sword, Rock ’N’ Roll Widow, Ballad of the Beacon, Baby What You Want Me to Do, Pilgrim, Blowin’ Free, Jailbait, Lady Whiskey and Phoenix.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, “Live Dates” was re-recorded in its entirety at Daryl Hall’s venue, Daryl’s House Club, in Pawling, New York on July 22, 2022.
Andy Powell trades licks with Yorkshire’s Mark Abrahams, who has been playing Wishbone Ash tunes since his youth. Longtime bassist Bob Skeat keeps the low-end rocking, working the grooves with newest band member, Mike Truscott on drums. Like his band mate Mark Abrahams, Mike also hails from Yorkshire, England.
As true warriors of the road, the band regularly covers around 30,000 miles a year, which is roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the world. The Ash is an undeniable force on today’s touring scene, performing on five continents and continuing to be discovered by new generations of music fans.
Over the years the band has embraced diverse musical genres, from folk, blues and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Regardless of the style, Wishbone Ash’s groundbreaking interplay of two lead guitars influenced bands such as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden, Umphree McGee and Opeth, among many others.
Wishbone Ash’s latest studio album (their 26th), “Coat of Arms,” was released in early 2020.
Equal parts primal, early rock’n’roll, deviant hill country blues & avant-garde art, Tav Falco – PANTHER BURNS are ramshackle, raw, and unholy – not just Music…but a state of mind. Tav Falco is one of the truly original and romantic forces in American music – the voice that America lost and found. He is tender and virile, flamboyant, witty and dangerous. Falco brings daggers back to the stage.
Known as the ditch-diggers in American music, our cabal is privileged to welcome MIKE WATT onstage on the WHISTLE BLOWER TOUR. Having come under the spell of our new COMMAND PERFORMANCE album (Frenzi/Darla USA), Hi-Watt began to Tweet his impressions. Quickly we were discussing his participation on the US Tour, and beginning to forge a work in progress already hurled into the future.
First to jump aboard is TOBY DAMMIT whipping the skins – rhythm section partner of Mike Watt. Fresh off the boat from Rome, MARIO MONTEROSSO – producer of our new album, Command Performance – joins us on lead guitar, while maestro FRANCESCO D’AGNOLO tickles the ivories.
The last steam engine train left on the track that don’t do nothin’ but run and blow. PANTHER BURNS are the ones who always hold out a hand to the enemy.
BANDITS are a red-hot bowling ball, shot out of a homemade cannon into the side panel of mid 80’s Ford Bronco.
Led by the unmatched chemistry of brother/sister John and LuLu Demitro, and driven by the eruptive drumming of Andrew Oakley, BANDITS have, “managed to enter a higher society of artistry by discharging a brand unlike any others in the provincial industry.”
Straddling the line between psychedelic and downright explosive, BANDITS find themselves drawing in dazed listeners to a focal point of sound, just before pushing back with enough power and energy to knock the asbestos out of the ceiling of your towns grimy rock club.
CASTLE was forged in San Francisco in 2009 and released their debut full-length, In Witch Order, on Germany’s Ván Records in 2011. The album brought light to the newly-formed band and earned them “Album Of The Year” honors from Metal Hammer Norway, as well as Roadburn Festival’s “Newcomer Of The Year.” Shortly thereafter, the band joined the Prosthetic Records roster in North America and released their critically-adored sophomore album Blacklands. The record left to a Canadian JUNO nomination for “Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year.” CASTLE performed over two-hundred shows worldwide in support of the release alongside the likes of The Sword, Conan, Intronaut and Pentagram among many others as well as appearances at some of the underground’s largest fests including Roadburn and the London and Berlin Desertfests.
Since the release of Under Siege in 2014, CASTLE, which consists of vocalist/bassist Liz Blackwell, guitarist/vocalist Mat Davis and drummer Al McCartney, has maintained a relentless touring schedule with multiple expeditions throughout the US, Europe and Canada including stops at the 2015 edition of Heavy Days In Doomtown Fest in Copenhagen, Denmark and the Acherontic Arts Fest in Oberhausen, Germany.
CASTLE, who recently announced a three week run of tour dates around their appearance at the Maryland Doom Fest on June 24 will continue touring across the U.S. throughout July and August with the announcement of 32 additional dates. The month-long headlining trek, which follows the release of “Welcome to the Graveyard”, commences July 17 in Fullerton, CA. Expect Canadian and European dates in support of Welcome To The Graveyard to be announced in the coming months.
Sounds Like Harmony is a quirky, diverse solo act hailing out of Greenville, North Carolina blending a variety of genres including Acoustic, Folk, Southern Rock, Blues and even Rap with modern Pop to give off a diverse array of energetic, unique sounds.
Now 22, he began playing music as young as 7 when he fiddled on a piano with nursery rhymes. He launched his music career at 21 when he started posting his songs to YouTube, and performing live on YouNow.com achieving over 35,000 fans in the first year. He also has opened for and played alongside of popular acts on YouNow such as NeverShoutNever and SayWeCanFly. Many of his videos have also been featured on Bryan Stars Interviews and he was a featured artist on Ernie Ball’s Battle of the Bands, ranking 1st on the charts at the Virginia Beach venue and ranking in the top 25 nationally. Reverbnation listed him as a featured artist on the website in December of 2013, and his original song “The Sun and The Moon” earned him runner up in a Song Of The Year contest on songoftheyear.com.
Before he began his music career, he was locally known for skateboarding and had a local shop sponsor, Backdoor Skate Shop, as well as a clothing sponsor, Textbook Clothing. He also attended college for nursing at Beaufort County Community College. He continued these activities until a tonsil surgery went awry in early 2013. He was forced to drop his classes and was unable to continue school because of his financial crisis after surgery. After realizing the change in his voice afterwards, he decided to pursue his newfound passion: a music career.
Casey Bolles is a solo acoustic artist started in Buffalo, NY. With music geared towards pulling the heartstrings of any listener, Casey’s songwriting is a blend passionate anger and sadness, that is brutally honest and unapologetic. His newest EP, Freshman, has turned heads of listeners since its release on December 30th, 2014.
Casey will be spending 2015 on the road, starting with a northeast run with A Will Away in the coming spring.
Epic, crushing, and heavy beyond words, YOB has achieved legendary status in recent years due to their unmatched aesthetic and incredible body of work. Formed in 1996 in Eugene, Oregon under the leadership of doom metal mastermind Mike Scheidt on guitars and vocals, the group initially released a three song demo tape in 2000 that garnered them international attention. Drawing comparisons to groups like Neurosis, Sleep and Electric Wizard, YOB succeeded in developing modern sounding doom metal that hearkened back to the classics.
In 2002, YOB released their debut album Elaborations of Carbon followed by Catharsis in 2003, a three song record that clocked in at a colossal 50 minutes. The buzz about YOB was beginning to grow and the trio began to tour more extensively. Remaining quite prolific during this period, YOB continued to release an album each year with The Illusion of Motion coming in 2004 followed by The Unreal Never Lived in 2005. Despite all the momentum, YOB disbanded in 2006.
In 2008 the band returned from hiatus and has remained strong ever since with Travis Foster on drums and Aaron Rieseberg on bass. Reinvigorated and reinspired, YOB released The Great Cessation in 2009. It was doom with a psychedelic twist, a sound that Pitchfork referred to as “cosmic doom.” At this point in their career, the band found increased exposure in the media, with The New York Times going so far as to call them “one of the best bands in North America” after a performance at Scion Rock Festival.
For 2011’s Atma , YOB took a more organic approach to recording, opting to track everything at once. In Scheidt’s own words, he wanted the record to sound “grizzly, with hair on it.” Three year later, the group released Clearing the Path to Ascend , a record that upheld their legacy as a top notch doom metal act and was hailed by Rolling Stone as the #1 metal album of the year.
Now in 2018, the band has announced their newest album ‘Our Raw Heart’ to be released on Relapse Records. As for how Our Raw Heart will be received? Mike Scheidt (guitar/vocals) is wise enough to know that it’s out of his hands. “I think every era of Yob fan will find something on there to dig—it’s just a matter of whether they can go on the whole trip or not,” he ventures. “And that’s none of my business. The music has a life of its own. It goes out there into the world and it’s gonna be received however it’s received.”
Tuned down and turnt up, Seattle’s He Whose Ox Is Gored has been tearing up the underground with their unique synthesis of doom, progressive elements and shoegaze since 2009. After a few years and different rhythm lineups, founding members Brian McClelland (Guitar, Vocals) and Lisa Mungo (Synths, Keyboards, Vocals) have solidified the rhythm section with Mike Sparks (Bass) and John O’Connell (Drums) and have been locked in for several years now. Coming off their highly acclaimed ‘Rumors’ 7” released last fall on Bleeding Light Records, He Whose Ox Is Gored will be releasing even more material in 2015. Plans for a 7” through Fainting Room Collective and the band’s highly anticipated full length debut ‘The Camel, The Lion, The Child’ through Bleeding Light Records along with a fall tour are already planned. Production for the album took place in Seattle at Red Room and Ex Ex Audio and was recorded by Robert Cheek (Serial Hawk, Noise-A-Tron) with some additional recording taking place at Avast Studios
with Randall Dunn (Sunn0))), Earth). Matt Bayles (Isis, Mastodon) handled mixing duties and frequent collaborator Blake Blickel mastered the album at Dynamic Sound Service. ‘The Camel, The Lion, The Child’ will be released digitally and on limited edition vinyl (500 Double LP, Gatefold) by Bleeding Light Records and Breathe Plastic Records (Netherlands) will be releasing a limited edition tape version of the album.
“Everyday I never stray from the path that I’ve chosen never cared I’m the loose thread, in the tapestry this world has woven
Gravitate towards the ones, who share a like mind.
If that ain’t you stay out my lane ill stay out yours we’ll be fine.”
Everything about Deez Nuts and their frontman / founder, JJ Peters, can almost be simplified down to these four lines. It is tucked away towards the back of their new and third album ‘Bout It’, which is without any doubt the best record their now infamous career. And the track, “Live Your Life”, just reiterates the point that the haters seem to miss, but also that makes the true fan love them more with every fist pumping anthem they produce. The point is that Deez Nuts are gonna do things their way and they don’t give a fuck if you disagree.
The four piece finally has it’s most stable line up in years – JJ Peters is joined by fellow Australian Jon Green on bass, while Mat “Realbad” Rogers and Alex Salinger (both from New York City) play Guitar and Drums, respectively. The lineup has been together for the better part of two years after a slew of short and long stays by members from all over the world – all of whom are part of JJ’s crew of international like minded friends who have been down for the ride at one time or another.
The Deez Nuts back story is anything but secret for anyone in the know, but it’s a history lesson worth retelling now that we are seven years deep. In 2005, the highly influential metalcore band I Killed The Prom Queen had broken up, and it’s founding member JJ Peters decided to do something new to kill his time. He wrote and recording every instrument on a few tracks and filled it with tongue-in-cheek truth bombs about anything that crossed his mind. At the time, it was a fun one-off project for him to speak his mind and do something his friends would enjoy. But the catchy lyrics and big New York Hardcore riffs had an edge to them that no one expected, and lyrics about sex, brotherhood and drinking had people talking right away.
Not long after that, when Peters released the tracks as the ‘Rep Your Hood’ EP and featured himself on the cover drinking liquor amongst a host of tasteful women, the polarising Deez Nuts project really got it’s legs. Peters put together a makeshift band full of friends from other groups, and took the show on the road, and before long what was once a bit of fun became more like a shitload of fun – a full time, worldwide touring act that released anthems and united everyone. Different members came and went, playing this tour and that, while JJ pumped out two albums (2008′s ‘Stay True’ and 2010′s ‘This One’s For You’) between tours. Each album kept the same theme running – expanding on his lyrical thoughts, letting the music and words do the talking and making sure anyone who felt the same way as him had anthems to scream while they got through their lives.
The music has been pumped out, and the tours have been non-stop – hitting all over the world in small rooms and massive venues. From Europe to Asia to the USA and of course Australia, Deez Nuts has crammed into vans and played hundreds upon hundreds of shows with some of the best hardcore bands of all time. Friendships have grown all over the world and thousands of tattoos inspired by the band and it’s own subculture-within-a-subculture have been inked from Russia to California to Indonesia and everywhere in between.
Six years later, Deez Nuts in it’s current form is the same thing it always has been. It’s candid lyrics that say whatever they want. It’s fun shit and songs that are simple and catchy, but original in their unrelenting ability to catch your attention. It’s fist-pumping, free-thinking hardcore that embraces everything it cares to embrace. And it’s empowering to anyone who feels like they don’t want to walk the same walk with everyone else.
But this time around there IS a difference. It’s that ‘Bout It’ is the most amount of energy and time Deez Nuts has put in to making that classic record to make their mark with. The now full-time members have all added their talents, and producer Shane Frisby has taken the time to make sure the sound is as heavy as shit for the fans. Peters and his Band of Brothers have even enlisted help in the form of guest appearances from everyone from Architects to Madball to Suicide Silence to Hatebreed and many more.
From party songs like the already released singles “Band Of Brothers” and “Shot After Shot”, to anthems inspired by a life of living your own dreams in “Keep On” and the previously quoted “Live Your Life” and even some skits and public service announcements friends inside the now massive Deez Nuts family – all of it makes up an album that is set to go down as one of the coolest hardcore records of the modern era.
And in case you were wondering what they think if you disagree, here is some words directed to the haters.
“So kill the bitchin and listen, you cant you deny that we’re on fire. If your rebuttal is muddled, its cause my IQ is higher. Be lying if i said i gave fuck regardless, for every 1 that hates 100 adore us, we are unfuckwithable!”
Guitarist Hans Luchs has been performing professionally in and around Chicago since moving to the city in the fall of 2007. Some venues Hans has performed at include The Auditorium Theatre, Van Andel Arena, Cliff Bell’s, The Green Mill, The Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Velvet Lounge, Pete Miller’s, Buddy Guy’s Legends, The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Martyrs, The Empty Bottle, and internationally at The Rex (Toronto), CMW Festival (Toronto), The Bull’s Head (London), JJ Smyths (Dublin), The Jazz Bar (Edinburgh), Bert’s Jazz Bar (Belfast) and Zinco Jazz Club (Mexico City). In 2011, The Jazz Institute of Chicago selected Hans to perform in its annual “Young Lions’ concert. Since then, Hans has gone on to perform across the USA and internationally in Sweden, The UK, Ireland, Canada, and Mexico.
Hans has performed and toured with masters of American music including 8-time Grammy winner Pepe Aguilar, Motown Legend Martha Reeves, and blues artist Shirley King just to name a few. Hans has also performed, recorded, and toured with a host of wonderful jazz musicians from Chicago and beyond.
As an educator, Hans has taught private lessons and classes at the elementary, secondary, and college level. Currently, Hans teaches music through the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Hans has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from DePaul University.
To a remarkable degree, Shawn Maxwell has the urge—a quality fundamental to those who create improvised music on a nightly basis. In this way, it is not enough to simply create, but the need to innovate that guides each note. His art lies in addressing the ordinary modalities of life in an extraordinary way, placing notes in their most complimentary places with precision and enthusiasm. Of course, there’s the way he plays. Maxwell’s style was built around swelling harmonic runs while painting complex melodies across an expansive canvas. Each harmony he creates is purposeful in form as well as function.
By all accounts, Shawn Maxwell formed his style early on the tough and tumultuous streets of Joliet, Illinois. From the time a saxophone first touched his lips, Maxwell knew that music was his calling. With conviction and abilities that belied his age, it was equally clear to others that Shawn Maxwell was destined to be a musician. He quickly became a celebrated performer in the Joliet Central High School band program where his prowess as a soloist was on regular display. Shawn further refined his art in a post-secondary setting, absorbing all that his instructors could teach – earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Millikin University in 1999. Shawn then signed with the prestigious and legendary Conn-Selmer Company to join their Performance and Educational Artist Roster.
After starting his professional career touring Internationally, across the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Maxwell returned home to conquer the Windy City. With equal parts genius and toil, Maxwell has become one the preeminent performers in the Chicago jazz landscape. His multi-instrumental talents have been lauded by fellow musicians and critics alike.
Formed during the early summer of 2011, Catfish & the Dogstars has quickly garnered a solid fan base and earned a great deal of acclaim gigging throughout the city of Chicago. With members hailing from different backgrounds, the group produces a uniquely blended sound of blues, funk, fusion, and roots music. The result is a high energy, raw and original experience. Catfish & the Dogstars is sure to bring together an assortment of unique sounds, palatable to fans from all walks of life.
Blue Mud is a Chicago based band that draws inspiration from classic twangy rock n’ roll a la Crazy Horse, The Rolling Stones, and The Band. Originally started as a recording session between five long time friends and musicians, their shared love for similar acts made playing together organic and natural. After a few months of recording, they decided to take these songs to the stage. With stirring narratives and songs about life, love, and the road; Blue Mud produces guitar driven rock but is never afraid to explore other, sometimes darker sonic territories.
Old Shoe is a five-piece Americana Roots Rock band based out of Chicago, Illinois. Made up of talented songwriters from across the country, hailing from as far away as Alaska, the band’s compositions paint a diverse landscape of American life.
The band’s new album Family is not merely another notch in the belt for the Old Shoe, but is more so a poignant culmination of their growth and progress since the last release in 2011. In just a little over two years, Old Shoe solidified their strong lineup with keyboardist/mandolinist/vocalist Joe Day and drummer Greg Fundis, rounded the Midwest festival circuit at high-profile events like Summer Camp and Wakarusa, opened for Grammy-award winning Bruce Hornsby, and even produced 3 consecutive installments of their own festival, Shoe Fest.
The all-original 13-track release showcases the band’s diverse influences, ranging from bluegrass to prog-rock to jazz, with it all settling into a familiar comfort zone akin to one’s favorite “old shoe.” The album reaches new heights from previous releases with a star-studded guest roster featuring musicians from the Henhouse Prowlers, The Low Down Brass Band, and Chicago’s production of The Jungle Book.
A 2 Piece Instrumental, Theatrical, Math Rock Band from Chicago. Often referred to as Comedian Math Rock, Space Blood has been compared to The Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Salad Fingers, Don Caballero, and Battles.
Arenda Light is a powerful quartet comprised of musicians enthralled in many different genres with plans to conquer the world of music lovers everywhere.
one person (cinchel) some guitars, a couple of amps, a small army of pedals and either abelton live/plogue bidule/pro tools on an ibook. attempting to recreated the sound i hear in my head.
Chicago, IL’s Uncouth brings a brand of metal combining thrash inspired drumming, a pulsating bass groove, and doomy/sludgy guitars. All of which are complimented by clear, soaring vocals with lyrical themes covering topics from religious hypocrisy, to lucha libre feuds, and finally to the self destructive dissolution of one’s sanity.
With the release of the Tree Of Woe EP in late 2017, Uncouth is a band looking to put their stamp on the latest generation of the growing doom-influenced metal scene.
Juan Croucier (RATT), Pete Holmes (Black N’ Blue), Mike Moore and Toni Aleman have formed a new group. They will be performing as, RATT’S JUAN CROUCIER. The band will be playing songs from the RATT catalog, exclusively.
Having solidified the core of the band (lead vocals, bass and drums), Juan and Pete set out to find the right guitar players for the group. After extensive auditions resulting from hundreds of submissions, they found two very talented guitar players in Mike Moore and Toni Aleman. Sharing the same passion, commitment and vision, they have been diligently rehearsing a set of over eighteen songs. “We have left no stone unturned. We’ve been working long and hard. It’s all about the live show. We take this very seriously. Mike and Toni are simply killing it! There is a unique chemistry between the members of this band that is often so illusive. Our attention to detail has culminated in a fresh, energetic and modern twist on Ratt’s classic catalog of songs. I believe that anyone who loves Ratt will really enjoy this band too. I can’t wait to get out there and bring it to the people, after all they are the ultimate judges of our art,” says Croucier.
Open road, windows down, 85 miles per hour on a summer day. Hair blowing, not another person in sight. This is freedom, the kind of freedom that needs a soundtrack, and The Statutes of Liberty were made to be the companion for those sweet moments of independence.
The Statutes know that freedom isn’t free but they also know that the only thing to do is rock it out! In a world where government drones fly overhead, our personal records get summoned by the NSA and our politicians are as well known for their dick pics as their policies, SOL gives you the license to question authority and do what you want.
SOL’s sweltering, new album,“VOX POPULI”, provides the rock that you crave in this age of watered-down YouTube wonders, and none of the bullshit. A year in the making, this record represents the best of the SOL sound; equal parts rock and psychedelia, 70s guitars, and tight vocal harmonies.
In the true spirit of America, SOL is a melting pot of people and instruments. Since 2004, nine members strong have taken over the stage and commanded the crowd to move their asses and use their minds to question the world around them. Inspired by the MC5, Hellacopters, ZZ Top, and many more, SOL came together to bring their experience and chops to make sure that those who still want to rock, can.
Chicago based, SOL have a solid local presence, having played most of the usual suspect clubs in town (House of Blues, Double Door, Schuba’s, Hideout, Empty Bottle, Fitzgerald’s) and festivals such as Taste of Randolph Street, Taste of River North, and Skokie Backlot Bash. In 2014, SOL were one of the only Chicago bands selected to play the Detroit Metro Times Blowout.
SOL have also been featured on “Angry & Unarmed”, Adam McKay’s (SNL, Anchorman, Funny or Die, etc.) album of public domain protest tunes (along with Wayne Kramer, Jill Sobule, etc.). SOL’s new single, “Dead or in Jail”, was recently featured on McKay’s Protest Tunes re-launch in Feb 2015:
Lord Stanley is a three-piece band from Chicago. They are multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Mark Kastory, percussionist Eric Messmer, and guitarist and vocalist, Bradley Wiseman. Their music experiments with sounds and with silence, explores from the syncopated to the chaotic, and employs both composition and improvisation. — All Hail, Lord Stanley —
Bordering the lines of swing-punk legends such as Dead Kennedys and The Cramps along with the hectic genre-jumping of Mr Bungle, Ask An Adult delivers a raw, energetic show set the the soundtrack of their own devious noise that would make Mike Patton jealous.
The Sons Of The New Amish (SONA) continue on their never-ending “Goin’ Back To Gravel” Tour in 2015. Led by guitarist par-excellence and chief songwriter John Klingelhoffer, SONA travels across the ChicagoLand area from the fresh water marshes of DuPage County. Always seeking out new disciples, to join in the fight against listlessness and dissatisfaction, SONA has the cures with the fictional honky tonk country song “The Pastor’s Wife”, and the Jethro Tull infused “Nancy Can You Tell Me”. John’s surrounds himself with sidekicks, Joe Schumacher (bass), Steve Majus (drums), Nancy Dunlop (flute/vocals), and Jim Hurley (mandolin-guitar). Some of their songs provide consumers solutions to their real estate woes, like “We Don’t Call 9-1-1” Others just plainly part of SONA’s manifesto, including their “pay no more taxes” anthem, “Goin’ Back To Gravel” SONA also mixes in all the unknown country music you’d ever want to hear and puts a Woodstock spin on it. Always entertaining, mostly on-key, SONA is not to be missed.
If Tom Waits and Nick Cave had a daughter and that daughter were raised by gypsies in narrow back alleys and secret woodland glades and taught the ragtag music of vagabonds and wondering sailors then she might sound something like Black Swift. And that’s not to mention plain old rock and roll which Black Swift keeps tucked away in their traveling bags, to be used as needed. The world of Black Swift is a steam-punk world, of rusty chains and dead pirates, the lord god almighty bringing us home and a whole lot of mixed up busted up love.
Wenn Tom Waits und Nick Cave ein Tochter hätten, die bei Zigeunern in finsteren Seitengassen umherziehenden Matrosen aufgewachsen wäre, würde sie wie Black Swift klingen. Ganz zu schweigen vom guten alten Rock n’ Roll, der aus der Reisetasche gezaubert wird, wenn er denn gebraucht wird. Die Welt von Black Swift ist Steampunk, ein Welt aus rostigen Ketten und toten Piraten, und versteckten Waldlichtungen und mit der zwielichtigen Musik von Vagabunden und in welcher der Allmächtige uns inmitten all der verwirrten und zerbrochenen Liebe annimmt und nach Hause bringt.
Temple of Void is an uncompromising collaboration from the depths of Detroit. Comprising of five musicians who have put in decades of time in the Detroit underground, ToV entered this world with singular focus and methodical execution from the start. ToV harkens back to the somber sound of early British doom, while channeling the energy and devastation of old school American death metal. But ToV is far more than the sum of its parts. Temple of Void destroys.
Temple of Void self-released their demo in May 2013. Four weeks later and they had signed to four different record labels to produce and distribute their demo across the world. The demo was met with staggering support from the underground. And now, just over a year later and ToV is unleashing their debut album on double LP and cassette on Saw Her Ghost Records, as well as on CD through Rain Without End Records. This slab of barbarity is titled, “Of Terror and the Supernatural.”
In support of the album ToV recruited director William Saunders from NY to produce a music video for their song, “Savage Howl.”
Furthermore, once the album was cut ToV hit the studio again to record
“Os Abysmi Vel Daath” for the Morbid Tales book and 12” compilation by Mark Rudolph. Both sessions were primarily tracked by Clyde Wilson at Mt. Doom Studio. Additional tracking for the album was cut by Mark Hudson at Audiolux Studio, it was mixed by Todd Konecny at Bright White Light Studio, and finally mastered by Tony Hamera. Artwork was provided by the legendary fantasy artist Bruce Pennington. But this is only the beginning for Temple of Void. There are many heads still to decapitate, and many cities yet to burn.
Palm Hands carries the sound of all the scars in your mind. It’s all the times you tried to forget come screaming back while Monte conjures stringed dissonance and melody like never before. Throats tear, speakers squeal and hearts break to the sound of Palm Hands. An intricate and organic elixir of acoustic and pedal alchemy with heart felt wails.
Ruined was founded in Grand Rapids, MI in the summer of 2013. After a series of demos bassist/vocalist Zach Meier teamed up with drummer Sky Moy and began to hone their craft in the black bile of their combined gloom. Billowing distortion, lilting vocals and cavernous drums concoct a bleak and dejected sense of sonic despair… Eschewing the commonly perceived notion of what a drum and bass doom outfit can accomplish, this four-song offering simultaneously acknowledges its predecessors in two-person gloom (early Om, The Body), while existing in its very own realm of dreary violence.
Dragonfly is a Melodic Metal band with influences from Hard Rock, Classic Metal and Power Metal. They have released 4 albums: Domine, Alma Irae, Non Requiem and Atlas.
