RESTORATIONS
Hi, we’re a band.
SYAHI
Syahi – (SEE-YAH-HEE) – (defn): Long time musical collaborators Raj Soni and Steve Nawrocki have joined forces to create an eclectic meld of experimental world, dub/reggae, and post rock sounds into a sonic experience that defies classification.
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TED SIROTA’S HEAVYWEIGHT DUB
Chicago based dub reggae band plays originals and classic dub tracks from King Tubby, Scientist, Lee Perry, Roots Radics and others.
COREY PIEPER
Corey Jay Pieper (born March 11, 1990) also known as C-Piepz, is a 22 year old Hawaiian recording artist & songwriter. His music is often described as a cross between pop and hip-hop. His clean lyrics, energetic presence and island influence attracts fans from all demographics.
Raised in Milwaukee, he developed a strong passion for music at age 15. He spent the next few years experimenting with local shows and performances. After several early successes, he decided to pursue music as a career. In September 2010 Corey landed his first recording deal with a company called The Good Fight Studios. His debut album was released in June 2012 and is currently available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and more.
He’s performed at several sold-out shows in front of crowds as large as 2000+ people and has also shared the stage with big names such as Iyaz, Jojo, Time Flies, and Outasight. He has 5 professional music videos accumulating a total of 1.7 million views and counting. One of them, caught the eye of NBC’s “The Voice” and led to him recently being flown out to LA.
With momentum building, he’s looking for new opportunities.
THE AVANTIST
The Avantist- Four Brothers. Decendants of Mariachi. Decided one day to actually play together. Now we make music.
Their newest CD, “TRANSRADICALMASH”, was recently released on April 30th, 2013.
COYOTE ARMADA
Born in the hallways of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN just over a year ago, the Coyote Armada feeds upon our primal urge to stomp. The group has drawn comparisons ranging from the Lumineers and Mumford & Sons to Radiohead and Led Zeppelin. Being led by lead-vocalist Bob Barrick’s songwriting, the group brings a darker and more surreal air to contemporary folk, and are certainly not something to miss.
PALE HORSEMAN
Pale Horseman is a 4 piece metal band from the Chicago area which combines elements of sludge, doom, and death metal. Featuring a dual attack of guitarists/vocalists and a pummeling rhythm section, their live shows have been most often described as “crushing” and their studio recordings have been handled by the mixing boards of some of their biggest influences including Dennis Pleckham of Bongripper, Noah Landis of Neurosis, and Justin Broadrick of Godflesh.
THEE ROCKEFELLER SHIEKS
Thee Rockefeller Sheiks are a band I’m super excited about. You can tellt hey have a deep love for The Stooges and The Velvet Underground, but with plenty of modern punk and psycho-garage influences as well. Their Dog City EP is rough around the edges and brilliantly uninhibited. Fans of locals like Vacation Club, Apache Dropout, or Psychic Feel who haven’t checked this band out should really get on it
DEAN III & THE WAGERS
A long time ago in a record industry far, far away… Dean III had his debut album, “Liberty”, released by Waterdog Records. It was billed as Dean Goldstein & Coin but the players on the disc were assembled by the producer, Bad Examples leader Ralph Covert. Then musicians around Chicago heard the songs, became fans, and a real band was born. And played. And what started out as a singer-songwriter project morphed into rockin’ Americana-with more than a nod and a wink to the Faces and the Stones. Coin was courted by the big guys and even commissioned for some movie music (and therein lies a tale for another time).
Concurrently he built his own log cabin in rural Illinois and promptly filled it with triplets. Parenting precluded performing until recently. The superb songwriting never stopped and now with a little help from his friends, Dean’s back, ready to rock live. He’s got a new rhythm section called The Wagers and they’re just starting to bring “Dirty Souls” to the soon-to-be-devoted fans in the Midwest.
LORD BISHOP ROCKS
Lord Bishop Rocks for sure is the most exciting and musically gifted Rock trio of the 21st century. They are mixing their brand of 70s influenced Hardrock, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Reggae and Punk – meshing it into a sound they call Sex Rock.
There have been many trios before them: Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Blue Cheer, Nirvana, Motörhead, Muse, Them Crooked Vultures, Green Day – all of these groups stand out because they brought a new life and a new perspective in how to make sonic expression in Rockmusic. Lord Bishop Rocks has lifted this stylistic template to new stratospheric levels. Imagine Beatlesque melodies, Sabbath’s heaviness and James Brown’s funk all rolled into one. What is for sure is that sooner than later Lord Bishop Rocks will be rock music’s most well known and sought after pure rock trio in the history of the music world.
RORY LAKE
Entertainer, Promoter, Dreamer…
BIG JON & THE NATIONALS
We are a true american roots band. We take the sounds of the past and re-energize them to todays set of ears. We play the most down home delta and Chicago music that was popular in the 1950’s. If you like to dance and have a good feelin in your gut then I suggest checking us out!!
From Muddy Waters, Guitar Slim to originals in the vintage style as the kings before us we pay great tribute to this music. The world needs to stop and have a good time sometimes so we hope to achieve that emotion in people.
THE FLAMING MUDCATS
The Flaming Mudcats are a band that swings, shuffles and gets low-down in their devotion to the sounds of the Blues, R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Anyone who argues that good blues is getting hard to find has never heard of these guys… chances are you couldn’t find a tighter good time band. This four piece band swings, playing great grooves fused with burning harp and smoking guitar; this is no-frills party music.
THE ROYAL HOUNDS
The Royal Hounds, a high energy rockabilly trio from Knoxville, TN have been wowing and entertaining audiences with their unique approach to live music. Known for their on-stage antics and humorous approach to music, The Royal Hounds offer a live show that is unlike anything seen in the area. Not content to merely stand there and play, The Royal Hounds successfully marry quality musicianship with stellar showmanship. They have opened for Travis Tritt and have shared a stage with Kingsfoil.
WEESE, PADDY!
Six dudes and one chick from the keystone state with all the energy and booze fueled antics that u can imagine in a band whos as young and hungry as Weese, Paddy! has, decided that the music world needs a dangerous, rocking, ass-kicking band, to save the world from the boring electronic vibe that is music nowadays. Theres no standing still at a weese show. Circle pits, stage-diving, and snot nose adolescent angst is what Weese, Paddy brings to a crowd. The party just starts when weese, paddy walks in through your door. It might get loud, it definately will get rude, and there definately will be some regrets about what u did when Weese, Paddy! came to town.. So hold onto your g- strings, lock up your wives and daughters. Weese, Paddy is coming to rock you in your face. And were not going anywhere anytime soon. It all started in early December 2012 when Chris Brill and Shane Hobensack posted an add/status looking for band members Matt Amend bass player had been looking for a group for quite sometime. Matt gathered up some fellow dirt bags he knew like drummer Trevor Scott, and they decided to scrape up old friend/guitarist Chris Dromboski off his couch and peel vocalist Ryan Williams out of the gym and started jamming. Shit started flying but they knew they were missing something. They later picked up female vocalist Karly Klein out of the back of a dominoes and brought her over to the hell hole this ass kicking music is created. They jammed one day and it became apparent that the world needed to hear what they were conjuring up. Chris Dromboski had a longtime friend, Matt Straubel, who plays fiddle and brews the best beer the world has ever tasted, violin and viola. He came over to jam one day and the rest is weese, paddy history. Keep the volume high, the beer flowing and the funny cigarette stash at hand. Were are Wesse,Paddy! Our new album is soon to come along with our east coast summer tour! Hold on tight! It’s gonna be one hell of a ride…
TOAST N JAM
TnJ is a 7 year old professional improv psychafunk project, started as a Jason and Toast / drums and synths improv power duo act, with some new blood that will knock your socks off with lazer guitar solos, funked out bass lines, dance beats from heaven and synth magic that will melt your mind! Jason and Toast, who was the last drummer for The Heavils, decided after an improv duo jam session one night to present their brass balls to the world! The music sounded so raw that night that they decided to Just Do IT and book a show a month, for a year, and did it! At the time they were both playing in The Reggie, a rockin reggae group in Rockford, IL with two RAMI awards. They only practiced once more as TnJ in that whole year! They also invited a different guest artist or two, that they knew could handle it, per show to add to the fun. They pulled it off Gloriously with radical reviews then took a break for a few years as they concentrated on other projects.. Jason completed his first solo album last year which definitely kicked TnJ back into high gear! They’ve recently added Shawn Williams and Jose Suarez who fit right in with their improv skills, style and killer imaginations! Let’s dance!!
IKE WILLIS
As the one of longest playing members of Frank Zappa’s bands, Ike is still upholding his promise to Frank. That promise is to continue on, playing the music of which Zappa had taught Ike oh so well. To this day Ike fulfills Frank’s wish by playing with some awesome Zappa tribute bands from around the world.
FLAVIA & THE RED
2012 was a very exciting year for L.A.-based band Flavia & the Red. They were chosen from hundreds of bands nationwide to go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and perform on one of the main stages at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival. There, they won 2nd place at the “Land the Big Gig” competition. In L.A., they gained bi-monthly residencies at two of the hottest clubs in the city—Pour Vous in Hollywood and Nic’s Martini Lounge in Beverly Hills. Last, but not least, they released their debut album, “Too Late to Cry,” for an energetic audience at the Bootleg Theatre on December 14th.
Flavia, 22, has shot onto the music scene like a bullet, bringing her band—The Red—with her. As the principal singer and songwriter, Flavia’s stage presence is the personification of the color red—emotional, fiery, and passionate. However, a talented front woman is only as good as her band. After gigging for a few years and going through some lineup changes, the band now consists of Chris Pucher on guitar, Isaac Watts on drums, Rich Brown on keys, and Max Benson on bass. Each member contributes his and her own unique qualities and influences to the secret recipe that is The Red’s musically energetic and soulful brew. The band’s overall sound contains elements of classic and modern R&B, pop, and bluesy rock. Anchored by a tight rhythm section, the music exhibits memorable melodies and interactive improvisation with Flavia’s emotional and poetic lyrics at the forefront.
Besides performing twice a month at both Pour Vous and Nic’s Martini Lounge, Flavia & The Red have performed at countless other venues, including The Four Seasons Hotel, Harvelle’s, House of Blues, Bootleg Theatre, and The Key Club.
Flavia & The Red are excited to see where 2013 will take them. They have already been featured on various blogs and magazines, and are being played on radio stations around the U.S. They are constantly writing new material, looking for new places to play, and have a tour in the works.
COCKTAIL PREACHERS
Formed in 1998 the Cocktail Preachers have been conducting a sermon by spreading great surf and instrumental music around the US. The Cocktail Preachers consist of Stevie Martini on Guitar, Phil Tiki on Bass, Vitamin “B” Bruce on Guitar and Steel Guitar and Dr Ben on Drums. Check us out at one of our up coming show and you too can help spread the good word of the Big Kahuna
RON PLATZER
Ron Platzer from Liar’s Club
DJ SHANE MERRILL
ISH
ISH is a blend of soulful, sultry voices and purposeful lyrics. Though ISH is composed of a young couple, traces of old school, feel good music can be found in their style and in their live show. ISH’s sound is heavily influenced by R&B, Jazz and Gospel. The married duo has played the main stage at The Shrine Chicago, headlined a sold out show at Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, shared the stage with Grammy award winning R&B singer Faith Evans and Soul Singer Frank McComb. In addition, the group was a featured act in Michael Jackson’s Memorial concert held at his childhood home in Gary, IN. The duo’s single “The Vows” was featured in the film Still Standing, which also features Kindred The Family Soul and “Speech” Thomas of Arrested Development. Currently, “The Vows” is in regular rotation on radio shows based in the US, the UK, France, Egypt, and Japan. ISH normally plays to the “grown and sexy” crowd, but has expanded into the college market. The group has performed concerts at Ivy Tech Community College, Wabash College, and Depauw University. ISH has been featured on Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 ranked Parenting and Relationships site BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com.
ANIBA HOTEP & THE SOL COLLECTIVE
Aniba Hotep is an American Singer/Songwriter whose name translates as (messenger of peace), born Oct 16th in a small town in Virginia. Aniba’s career started at the early age of 8 years old when she would travel all throughout Virginia performing in churches. She became known as little Mahalia amongst her church peers. Her powerful southern voice, even as a child, would help her to win contest after contest. It also brought her to the famed Apollo Theater. She remained popular, as the quiet girl with the big voice, throughout High School and College. After College, she made the decision to move to Chicago where she performed at local open mics, quickly becoming respected as a vocal powerhouse . She then began to make recordings with a local hip hop producer. Her voice gelled so well with hard hitting hip hop tracks that she decided to release the songs as an EP entitled “Etheric Child”. The EP gained much respect from her peers and the audiences in her many shows. Though she is a closet hip hop fanatic, it came to a point when the tracks where no longer enough to showcase all of her vocal ability. She then began to seek out a band to have the movement and fluidity that she heard on the songs that she wrote, as well as heard in her head. Aniba’s voice was so respected that it was not hard finding what has now become The Sol Collective. Aniba is classic in every way, from moving from the country to the big city, to having roots in the church and influences like Otis Redding, Al Green, Shirley Brown, Betty Wright, Billie Holiday and Mahalia Jackson. She is a musical chameleon, able to morph into any style from gospel to hip hop and even acoustic. She implements soulful tones that haven’t been heard since the 60’s and 70’s. Aniba is what many call the natural progression of Soul. She has lead her band, The Sol Collective, to many heights, from performing at venues such as House Of Blues, Steppenwolf Theater, Mayne Stage Theater, The McCormick Place, The African Festival of The Arts and more. She has headlined and performed with many greats such as Gerald Alston of The Manhattans, The Drifters, Mint Condition, Chaka Khan and Carl Thomas. Aniba has recently released an EP through CD Baby entitled “The SOLution”, which had five singles to reach the top ten on the Soul and Neo-Soul charts, respectively. The EP showcases her writing ability, as well as her ability to make modern soul hits that touch both the young and the old regardless of gender or race. With Aniba’s amazing vocal and writing skills, you can look to her to become the modern day Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Tina Turner.
LONESOME STILL
Brought together by their love of adult morning shower beverages and every possible genre of country music, these 8 swinging cats decided to form a super group and bring their new original style to Chicago’s growing country music scene!! If you see ‘Morning Shower Scotch’ on a marquee near you, you know your weeks about to get a whole lot better. Who says Bubba don’t drink scotch?..
SAM VICARI
“With his geek-sheik thick rimmed glasses and mustard colored glasses, you get the experience of a true nerd rocker.” – Loud Loop Press, April 2010
THE NEWBURYS
Formed in Summer of 2010, The Newburys started with the song writing of guitarist Peter Webb, with heavy influence from Morrissey and Johnny Marr.
AMERICAN MUSK OX
American Musk Ox was formed in 2009 as a Classic/Outlaw Country tribute band with four original members, the group has since expanded to a six-piece. We play modern country-rock/psych-folk interpretations of classics and compose original material.
PAYPA
In an industry where hip-hop acts have become dispensable, Marcus Moody, aka PAYPA, is determined to secure his place among the greats. PAYPA grew up as a military-brat, and claimed home in the southside of Chicago where he was raised. Later, PAYPA and his parents would eventually make the move to Southern California. Overcoming the distance from home, PAYPA made sure he stuck with his Chicago roots. A weekend trip turned into spending summers and holidays in The Windy City, fueling him to represent his hometown with purpose. As far as music goes, PAYPA will tell you that he “just kind of fell into the music game.” When his younger brother passed away from kidney failure, Paypa was compelled to continue his brother’s legacy through music and performance. “My brother was the performer, and I was always the quiet and laidback one,” he recalls. Over the past ten years, Paypa vowed to make his mark in the music industry so that his brother could live on through his music. Now 26, Paypa is ready to share his story with the world.
AUGGIE
WALK THE TALK
TEVIN DANTRELL
I am Tevin Dantrell. I am an ungerground up and coming rapper. I have 4 mixtapes out at the moment: Out Of Time, A.M. To The A.M., Nebula Paradise, and Tin Man Heartless, and one on the way called Purple Shy Nights. Watch my journey to the top.
THE MAINE
Graduating from high school early is nothing for a band when you have already graduated from the school of rock with honors. The Maine have taken no classes, were given no grades, and had no teachers. Hailing from Tempe, AZ, all they had was a gut feeling that the music they were playing rocked and inspired kids nationwide. The Maine released their first label EP, The Way We Talk on December 11, 2007.
The Maine formed in January of 2007. After junior year, when most students look forward to slacking off as seniors, The Maine asked two members to graduate early so that they could share their music with the rest of the world. You see, seven periods a day is just seven periods too long for The Maine, who can’t wait to get home and write more tunes. Bassist Garrett Nickelsen stated honestly, “School has never really been number one for me, I have always tried to focus on the band so I’m ready to really get this band going.” Now, already juggling music video shoots, recording sessions, and concerts, The Maine actually had the ink dry on their record contract before it dries on their diploma.
The Maine started when Pat and Garrett were sick of jumping from garage band to garage band and wanted to take their unique vision of what music should be to the big time.
THE MULTIPLE CAT
Some six-odd years ago, a few guys from Iowa started playing around in a basement. With old reel-to-reels and broken PA’s littering the floor, they struggled to eek out some kind of fun from the ruins of their failed schooling, lack of beer money, and large collection of Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell records. The result was The Multiple Cat. Things went well, with the group playing to about fifteen adolescent boys and a pie-eyed drunk with a rolled-up bandanna around his head. They howled during the breakdowns in “A Microphone and a Starter Jacket,” they conjured the ghost of Ian Curtis (briefly) during “For Bernard.” They made a late-coming mother of one of the boys cry with “It’s Your Song.” A circuit blew. The kids sipped their pop. Now, in the spring of 2001, The Multiple Cat still hunkers in a basement. 3/4 of a new band, they practice material culled from their latest album, “The Golden Apple Hits.” A conglomeration (as always) of material from the last few years of recording here and there, this record finds the Cat bouncing around their genre, from show-tunes to slow tunes, from simple pop to art-rock drama. Undefinable to some, and still hopelessly obscure after eight releases, they know the meaning of nonchalance, of the stubborn side of rock, and the value of a well-placed mic.
BEYOND DETH
Death/Thrash Metal with Black and Melodic Metal traits. Raw, fast and steadily evolving
ELBOW DEEP
Abrasive carnal grotesqueries gone wild.. High energy extreme comedy metal. You will find elements of Death metal, grindcore, rock, doom, punk, and thrash.
THE WAFFLE STOMPERS
Post-Ska band The Waffle Stompers comes from the New Jersey music scene with the intent to create great music and put on an explosive live show for the rest of forever. Forever hasn’t necessarily happened yet, but the past years have shown signs that they may actually have the balls to achieve that goal.
Consisting of 6 members, the group has taken from a wide spectrum of influences to inspire a style of music that is both unique and refreshingly honest. Their intricate horn and vocal arrangements reflect their hard work and devotion, while the rhythm section blends the in-your-face feel of rock and roll with the electricity of punk rock and ska. Each live show reflects their belief that heart and energy are the foundation of a musical community. Ask any fan or friend of the band; they’ll tell you who brings it every single night.
In the past few years, the band’s incredible focus has gotten them on the Vans Warped Tour and Get Heard Fest, and sharing the stage with bands like Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, The English Beat, RX Bandits, Catch 22, and Big D and the Kids Table as well as independently touring the East Coast and Midwest in support of their music. In 2012 they released a cover video of Gotye’s hit ‘Somebody that I used to know’ that featured all six members playing one ukulele, which went viral and appeared on Trending Topics on ‘Today’ (NBC) as well as many news outlets including CBS, Buzzfeed, Reddit, Viral Viral Videos and many more.
Though many will pass over it, the message is there, and it’s clear: The Waffle Stompers put their hearts into everything they do, and they’ll never let go of the music. OR the dancing. The boys can dance.
OPAQUE STUTTERS
Opaque Stutters is an indie/alternative rock band founded in 2013 by Chicago singer and multi-instrumentalist Brian Cohen. The band features Cohen, drummer Josh Vicari, and guitarists Drew Blue and Chris Cortez. The band released their debut EP in February, 2013 and plans to release a full-length album later in the year.
NEW MISSIONARIES
New Missionaries was formed in the fall of 2012, the night that Randi Russo, a recent transplant from New York, performed live at Transistor Chicago, the gallery/shop/performance space owned by drummer Andy Miles. Miles was so impressed by Russo’s solo set he offered to be her drummer and put the rest of a band together. Charlie Crane (Airline-X, Feature Flick) joined the following week on lead guitar, with bassist Eric Gannon, another recent transplant from New York, joining in March of 2013. They plan to begin recording their debut EP in the spring of 2013 with a release date planned for the summer.
PROVINCES
Provinces are a Chicago based rock and roll band who like to emphasize the roll over the rock. Fronted by former traveling circus ride operator and award-winning poet, Brandon Seyferth, Provinces is also comprised of former members of the Lollapalooza-featured Skybox. To complete their lineup the group added biomedical engineer Matt Perich, who fills out and texturizes their sound with melodic noise. Brandon has performed and collaborated with such acts as the Violent Femmes, Clyde Stubblefield (the most sampled drummer in hip-hop), and Jackson Browne, while rhythm section members, Aurelio Damiani and Christian Fields, have shared the stage with the likes of Ben Folds, Man Man, various members of Fun, and Tally Hall to name a few. Provinces will be playing Reggie’s on Saturday, May 25th.
THE GOLD HOPE DUO
Stripped down upbeat Rhythm & Blues, Country, folk and a pinch of Rockabilly, The Gold Hope Duo is a joint effort between front-persons Lara Hope and Matt “The Knife” Goldpaugh. Lara strums the guitar while Matt slaps the Upright Bass or picks the 5 String Banjo. They share percussion duties with their fast feet and live by the motto “If you can’t do it, kazoo it!” Their powerful voices intertwine, harmonize and amaze.
A duo sure to make you dance, laugh, drink and grab your partner’s behind. They’re made of fun!
LOOKA LOOKA LOOKA
If you see us playing on the street, throw a dollar in the can… we also take tits, cigarettes, moonshine and food
WHITE TRASH BLUES REVIVAL
A bunch of cardboard, duct tape, a trash can, a couple buckets, a busted ass skateboard and a bunch of hollerin’ and you have the White Trash Blues Revival.
CALVIN EVANS
Chicago native Calvin Evans comedy career began during his time at the University Illinois Champaign-Urbana. While obtaining his degree in Sport Management, he fell in love with stand up comedy and would put his business aspirations on hold. He took his talents back to Chicago and was quickly named Chicago’s Next Big Comic. Calvin received a Puma Scholarship to attend the famed Second City Training Center. Upon completing their Improv Conservatory program; Calvin was awarded a Bob Curry Fellowship. With stand up as his focus he traveled the country performing at colleges and clubs. In 2017 he recognized as a New Face at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. In 2018 he was one of 8 finalist in the nationwide NBC Standup competition.
THE WILD FAMILY
After learning and playing music together for years as kids growing up in Genoa, IL, brothers Jake and Zach Schweitzer have tackled multiple instruments, different styles of playing, and managed to find extended-family members in Graham Young and Kevin Koreman who complete the group’s effortless melodic folk DNA.
Zach, Jake and Graham began writing together in September of 2012 and The Wild Family was born from their soft, crooning melodies complimented by intense guitar parts and bold lyrics that deny their young age. With Jake on vocals and guitar, Graham with lead guitar and vocals, Zach with backing vocals and bass guitar, and recent addition, Kevin Koreman on drums, their lofty vocal harmonies intertwined with the heavy drive of an electrified rock set up, encourage a significant amount of movement and dancing to ensue.
After only a year together, their style and apparent talent continues to unfold as they perform heavily around the Chicagoland area. Recorded by Jonathan Alvin at Chrome Attic Studios, their debut self-titled EP will be released on February 4th, 2014.
METROPOLLY
light. dark. thick. thin. on. off. currently off with a finger on the switch.
OVADYA
Original music, including some uniquely spun Trad Jewish music in a neo-psychedelic, world-influenced rock and acoustic-rock environment. Snippets here and there of of MidEast/modal textures. From electric violin, bass, sax, passionate vocals and outrageous drums to some seriously fly guitar. Extremely different, infectious songs.
Ovadya has been playing before diverse audiences for over ten years—from opening for Eric Burdon & the Animals to Piamenta (the “Israeli Jimi Hendrix”) & benefits, to clubs to live radio, from festivals to synagogues to benefits to intimate coffee houses. Their music has been featured on radio nationally and locally (WXRT, WNUR, WBEZ, WNUR, WLUP and many more), charting in CMJ and grabbing major (Polygram) label interest and indie lable offers. Press on Ovadya and its music includes Chicago Sun Times affiliates, Chicago Tribune, Illinois Entertainer and many other newspapers / periodicals.
BLOODY MARY
Bloody Mary is a Chicago-based all-girl punk and rock influenced band which began in 2010. Today, three of the original members remain and there have been recent minor membership changes in the positions of bass guitar and band management. The current Bloody Mary came about in March 2012 and is comprised of Rickee Divine on rhythm guitar/vocals, Ana Apollo on lead guitar/vocals, Kat Cannon on drums/vocals, and Casey Icky on bass/vocals. The band has worked tirelessly to develop a unique sound and an impressive array of original music, in addition to an eclectic mix of high energy covers.
FOUR RIFTS
We are Four Rifts!
Bringing to anyone who wants to listen some kickass music filled with energy and power! We gig mainly around the Chicago suburbs, but hope to someday tour the world! …Or at least another state. We have a 9 song LP on the way, which features our cover of ‘Gun’ by Soundgarden. It’ll be recorded at Kronic 9 Studios with our good friend and promoter, Mike Arnott, so keep an eye out for it! Our main influences include, but not nearly limited to; Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Metallica, Coheed & Cambria, Heaven & Hell, Alter Bridge, The Living End, 3, Foo Fighters, Mastodon, Van Halen, Clutch, Volbeat, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Dream Theater.
SAVING HAVEN
Saving Haven is an alternative rock band, forming in January 2010. We had our first show in September 2010 as well. Coming from Streamwood, Illinois, we are unsigned but released our first EP entitled “On The Moon” in June 2011, having a very good friend Moises Hermoises join us as our Lead Guitarist before he left. We would like to thank all of our friends and family for supporting us so far, and we hope to keep playing.
TAKING OFF
A four piece, female fronted rock band hailing from Chicago. We are Paramore and Flyleaf on steroids!
DEAD HORSES
Dead Horses is a 5 piece folkgrass band from Oshkosh, Wi. Sarah Vos is featured with lead female vocals backed up by four more vocalists with instrumentation of mandolin, guitar, fiddle, string bass, and banjo.
JACOB GREEN
Energetic rhythms and captivating melody , Jacobs Green brews bona fide homegrown music. Blues singer/songwriter with a twist, Jacob Green , becomes “OneManGreenBand ,” stompbox under foot, harmonica upon neck, strumming instruments tirelessly touring the country. Whether Green plays guitar, banjo, dobro, or ukulele, he forms rhythm, percussion, and lead simultaneously transforming into “OneManGreenBand”. Green’s harvests a resonance of the modern day gypsy, awakening original roots and blues folk songs . The once “down-trodden” old-fashioned blues lyrics to positive riffs of change and “be green”. His versatile homegrown, organic, original songs bring a fresh approach to old-school roots and blues folk music.
Green self–records and produces all of his music under Growth Productions , newly releasing his first of trilogy series, Roots Revival. Green produces music of natural acoustic sound, with reverberations of numerous genres, and encourages messages of being kind and conscious of self and the environment. Growing and seeking supporters with a desire to hear original music with a feel good organic sound.
From classic rock to punk, blues to hip hop, rockabilly to country, hippy to backwoods musicians , all have a seed in growing Green’s desire to craft quality music. Green’s passion for music does not go without admiration for singer/songwriters, such as Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, John Lennon, Todd Snider, and one man band performers, like Xavier Rudd. Music came easily to him early in life. With interest in making rap music, playing violin in middle school orchestra, and playing guitar in high school punk band. In adulthood, he was drawn to acoustic singer/songwriters and raw sound . He began to lead bands, such as “Green n’ the Grit”, a rock n’ blues band, “Infinite Nature”, featuring tones of hip hop and reggae groove, to “River Water Tribe”, a gypsy-grass band with punk and blues influence . Playing in bands or solo, Green continuously writes and records new material from a rambler’s point of view, bringing a newfound narrative of “go green” and respect one another are lively notes from Green’s highway, byway, back road blues.
THE SIDESHOW TRAGEDY
The Sideshow Tragedy burns up stages with blues-damaged garage rock and roll…ancient resonator guitars played through an array of effects boxes backed by a kick ass kit master and percussionist, topped with R&B drenched vocals and dark, poetic lyrics.
HANDEAGLE
Handeagle is Kevin (keyboards/vocals), Chris T. (guitar), Chris U. (drums), and Eddie (bass/vocals). They like to play loud music as long as it doesn’t bother their downstairs neighbors, Hugh and Margie, who have a pre-teen son that needs to get to school in the morning. Handeagle likes to think this is common courtesy and how most bands should act. Thank you, Hugh and Margie, for your patience and understanding.
CUTTHROAT SHAMROCK
Cutthroat Shamrock combines the speed of bluegrass with the drive and energy of punk rock and then tops it all off with alittle celtic influence. -Fronted by dual vocals and backed by solid bass lines, the momentum gained by two drummers make this a combination to wake up any size of room. -Each song sounds different from the last yet some how familiar. train like rhythms are traded in for finger picking and the rockabilly slaps of the upright bass are replaced with long dark notes played with a bow. instrumental breaks introduce jigs and reels into almost every song, with guitar leads that would seem more at home on a fiddle or penny whistle.
LIFE SIZE GHOST
Haunting, emotional, honest, technical, heavy – all are words that can be applied to Grand Rapids hard rockers Life Size Ghost. Since the band’s formation in 2007, founding members Talitha Snowden (vocals/keyboards), Curtis Hendershott (guitar), Erik Ryden (lead guitar), Brian Thomas (drums), plus recently-added bassist Jeremy DeHaan (also of Lansing band Herd), have been wowing crowds in their hometown, in Michigan, and beyond.
ODD FOLK
Odd Folk are a group of young Midwesterners who strive to make exciting, engaging, and just plain good folk music. Bridging the gap between new and old, (both in the sense of musical influences and their audience) Odd Folk blends styles and instrumentation creating a sound that seems familiar, but is still something you can’t pigeonhole into one genre. Founded by Paul Cherewick in the spring of 2012 while studying music composition at Columbia College Chicago, Madelyn Strutz, Monte Weber and Alex Brettin joined the band soon thereafter.
Since then they have independently released their first EP, Die Young, on cassette and toured the Midwest. They have opened for acts such as Laura Stevenson & The Cans and Frontier Ruckus.
Odd Folk is inspired by their own life experiences, creating relatable music that has a real feeling behind it. Odd Folk is currently working on their second release and is planning summer tour 2013
THE OL’ DAYS
TRAVI$ SCOTT
At only 20 years old, Travi$ Scott’s music has already taken him
quite a few places, even if he isn’t famous enough to be recognized in
any of them yet. He’s lived on the east and west coasts, as well as the
“third coast” of his native Houston, Texas, but has seen exotic locales
while traveling with the most famous of his early fans, Kanye West.
Since meeting early last year, the two have spent countless hours in
the studio, the fruits of which can be heard on “Sin City,” Scott’s
standout contribution to the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel
Summer. In his verse, Scott paints a vivid picture of a girl caught up in
the allure of the fast life: She stepped into hell, cause when it got
cold/Don’t look in her eyes, you might see straight to her soul/Don’t
say yes to that good cause you’ll never know/Cause we lost in the city,
where sin is no biggie! he raps. The charge is something Scott himself
can identify with, his music career having taken flight at an
astronomical speed over the course of just a few short years.
Travi$ Scott grew up in Houston the son of a drummer and
grandson of a music scholar, bitten himself by the music bug after
witnessing the showmanship of late 90’s rap videos from Mase and
Diddy and then later on, experiencing the revolutionary production of
Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. Scott began making beats when he
was just 17 and sought out the tutelage of the local names he had
access to, who just so happened to be dirty south hip-hop legends N.O.
Joe and Mike Dean. It wasn’t long after that he would venture out to
New York to see what he was actually made of. “I’m really into
depicting what’s in my life,” Scott says. “Anything I say in these
verses, that’s who I am. Those are real stories.” Things didn’t quite
take off the way he imagined in New York, Scott having to couch surf
when money got low, so he bounced to Los Angeles for another fresh
start. The leap of faith paid off with Scott catching the ear of the “King
of the South” himself, T.I., who signed him immediately through his
GrandHustle/Epic imprint. With Scott working with T.I., it wasn’t long
before Kanye West got wind of him, both superstars still utilizing the
young prodigy whenever possible.
And though he continues to work on music with his mentors,
Travi$ Scott’s own Owl Pharaoh EP is soon to set the world ablaze,
Scott using everything he’s learned from his forefathers to make the
project he’s sure will satisfy a rapidly growing fanbase. “People are
gonna feel the imagery, what my life consists of, what the world of
Travi$ Scott is,” he says. “What is this kid thinking? Who is this kid?
What is he trying to tell us? That’s what they gone feel through these
songs.” So far they’ve had only morsels to chew on, but the demand
grows with each leak like “Blocka,” the song he co-produced with
Young Chop and raps on with Pusha T, or the super-stylized “Quintana”
video or the riot-inducing, Mike Will-produced, “Pus$$y,” which
features Chuck Inglish, Fredo Santana and Gunplay. Travi$ Scott has
collaborated with some of the biggest names in rap and he hasn’t even
released his EP yet. “It’s like becoming friends,” Scott says of his
music. “Once people get to hang around you more and more, they’ll
start to understand you. They’ll either catch on or they’ll get left
behind.” And soon enough, the world will know what so many of our
favorite rappers already do: That Travi$ Scott is the future.
THE OBSCENE KISS
The earliest beginnings of what would come to be The Obscene Kiss manifested in the late summer of 2011. Michael X. Christian and Dorian Starchild were the founding members of this industrial metal act from Chicago in which they began by rehearsing Marilyn Manson covers and a handful of songs written by MXC. The band’s first performance was at a bar called Horseshoe on March 24th, 2012- they opened for Lockjaw at a release party for Ministry’s album, Relapse. The Obscene Kiss went virtually inactive over the following summer but during this time, a goal was set for recording a set of professionally produced songs. The group amicably parted ways with bassist, Zack Shirtum who had expressed a desire to pursue other avenues of creativity. This opening led to the inclusion of instrumentalist and producer, Nikk Skum on bass. Following a return to regular rehearsal, The Obscene Kiss found themselves sharing the stage with Pound of Flesh and Project 44 at The Bottom Lounge and with them again, along with W.O.R.M. at Martyr’s in early 2013. This return to the stage served to usher in the band’s new material and subsequently new sound. With the Human Extinction EP currently in the works and more shows lined up for the Spring and Summer- The Obscene Kiss is poised to burn the human species in the coming year…
RADIO CREEPS
This project began as a need for eXpansion using whatever tools were necessary to EXpound the boundaries, to break the rules, to tear down the walls, to bear witness to and communicate, to eXcommunicate and embrace all which is life, the chaotic visions, the landscapes and prisons, all which binds us there; we, catapulted into the controlled madness of fear, joys, toys and tears.
Meet The Radio Creeps: the bloody meat-puppets, cavorting upon their strings, chains that dangle, chains that break, musical vista’s that shake and hesitate, singing, speaking, growling, sounds/capes that escape, as they proliferate; fulfilled, yet deprived on the roads of Rock-N-Roll and all things adorned, between and beneath, until their existence is marked by a stone, by a wreath.
Come and eXperience that which is the Radio Creeps if you have the strength, the courage, the mind, to face the truths, the love’s, the lies that are some time’s hidden within us all…. somewhere deep inside.
EPITASIS
Epitasis is a death metal band hailing from Chicago, IL. We hope to deliver slamming blackened riffs, devastating solos and brutality to a town near you!
MR. MAYOR & THE HIGHBALLERS
Mr. Mayor and the Highballers met as students at the Old Town School of Folk Music, where they decided to take their mutual love for jug band and old time music beyond the classroom and onto the mean streets of Chicago. This seven-member ensemble brings high energy to the genre, performing mostly raucous, playful renditions of jazz and blues songs from the 1930’s and ‘40’s. However, their influences (and respective dates of birth) extend well beyond these decades, and there’s no limit to the tunes they are willing to incorporate into their repertoire. They’ve performed at such diverse venues as bars, farmer’s markets, and venerated rock club The Empty Bottle.
CAVE ART
Cave Art which consist of Joe Padovano (Guitars), Jonathan Padovano (vocals/guitar, Andrew Kremer (Bass) and Sam Garvery (Drums), was formed in Chicago in the summer of 2010.
SET FIRE TO REASON
IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC
After the break-up of The Hellacopters in 2008, Andersson started to work on a solo album, recording all instruments of eight songs by himself, however Andersson changed his mind and decided that it would be better to form a band. Andersson recruited Dolf de Borst, Tobias Egge and Thomas Eriksson, all of which he had worked previouly with in Cold Ethyl, a cover band he formed shortly after the break-up of The Hellacopters. During the recording of the bands self titled album Andersson also enlisted help from several old friends, including Dregen, Anders Lindström, Robert Pehrsson, Neil Leyton and others. While Andersson insists that Imperial State Electric is a band and not a solo career or a side project he also acknowledges the fact that the band might have a revolving line-up of members including himself on drums instead of guitar.
Personnel:
Nicke Andersson: vocals, guitar
Dolf de Borst: backing vocals, bass
Tobias Egge: backing vocals, guitar
Thomas Eriksson: drums, percussion
MR. SHAW
Welcome to the new fan-page of previously known Dj Ruckiss who now goes by the name of Dj Mr. Shaw. “Change is Epic and change is something that will keep the music game likeable ” says Mr.Shaw as he plans to lift off to greater goals and aspirations in his life with the new name.
Booking close to 50 shows a year and around the nation, “Your Music Mag” has named Mr.Shaw as the the golden musical prodigy of the next generation. Sahaj Shah started his musical endeavors at the ripe age of 4 years old. His natural inclination and affection for music would always have hiim listening to the radio or watching music videos on tv. By the age of 6, you could see the makings of a musical artist as he could make complementing rythmic beats to songs with anything he could get his hands on such as spoons, pencils, sticks etc.
As production landed second, first was the passion of DJing which started to grow at the age of 12. As a DJ, he has learned to adhere to various types of sounds and beats and incorporated them into his live performances. As knowledge of music began to grow, so did his passion for it.
As small backyard parties started to fade away, Dj Mr Shaw started to make it in the club scene at a very young age spinning the top rated nightclubs in Chicago with some of the best DJs in the Nation. In June of 2012, Dj Mr Shaw Gained the opportunity to enter a DJ battle held in the Windy City in which he placed #2, now being called the #2 DJ in Chicago by BOOM ENT. and Chicago’s #1 Music Station, WBBFM Chicago (96.3). Dj Mr Shaw has been in the dj industry for a strong 8 years now, accomplishing tasks that set him aside from other djs. His scratching and mixing abilities have grown since his first hand on turntables.
DJ JKON
Jesse Khan has always been into music at such a young age! Jamming to B96 mixes every night. Messing with Virtual Dj. One day Jkon bought a pair of Cdjs and Behringer mixer it was love at first sight. Jkon started at small house parties and making mixes. He got his first break at Inferno Hookah Lounge. (big ups to Ahmed Khan). He was Infernos Resident Dj for 3 years, and making appearancesall over Chicago Land Area. From SoundBar to Proof. Spinning the hottest music every night Top 40 to Hiphop with some dance music as well.
DJ NIPPS
hiphop DJ
ARJUN
Arjun is a London-based singer, songwriter and producer. Heavily influenced by the soulful, guitar-based sounds of late 90s R&B, and inspired by the likes of Craig David and Donell Jones, Arjun has developed an organic yet contemporary sound palette that makes him stand out from the current crop of UK R&B artists. Equally comfortable performing solo with acoustic guitar or backed by street dancers, Arjun has become a force to be reckoned with live. He has supported US superstars such as Jagged Edge & Blackstreet, and has performed at prestigious venues all over the world, singing to crowds of over 30,000.
After creating a buzz with his first 4 singles, he has been tipped for success by international media ranging from The Independent (UK) to the Times of India to the LA Times. Arjun’s remix of the Tamil cult hit ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’ racked up over 3 million YouTube views in one month. His remix has since been featured on TV channels around the world, including CNN, NDTV and Star News.
Arjun’s talent was recognized by the Asian music industry last year, when he was nominated as ‘Best Newcomer‘ at the ‘Brit Asia Music Awards 2011’. In January 2012, two of Arjun’s singles made it into the first ever ‘Asian Beats Chart’ on Kiss TV, selected by a panel of key Asian media figures and Kiss TV officials. His song ‘Stargazer’ was voted the number 2 song by an Asian artist (in recent times), beaten only by the legendary A.R Rahman’s newly formed super group ‘Super Heavy’, which comprises the likes of Mick Jagger & Joss Stone.
Arjun was also recently chosen as one of MTV’s Top 20 Unsigned Acts for 2012, out of thousands of contestants (the MTV ‘Brand New for 2012’ contest has previously featured artists such as Jessie J and Tinie Tempah).
Despite being an independent artist, Arjun’s tracks have gained substantial support from Radio DJ’s around the world. He recently did a live acoustic session on BBC Radio 1 and was subsequently featured on the Radio 1 homepage. His videos have been aired extensively on mainstream UK music channels such as Kiss TV, Flava and Channel AKA, as well as a plethora of Asian channels across the world, including MTV India, B4U and Zee TV. These videos have simultaneously racked up millions of view on YouTube, resulting in a sizeable online following.
AMERICAN PHARAOH
Dark Electronic Chicago Blues