Founded in New York City and now based in Chicago, Ace Reporter was born of exhaustion. “I was burned out by music in every way, except creatively,” explains Snyder. “I just wanted to write.” And so he did, finishing a new song every 24 hours for 365 consecutive days. The songs that resulted from this threesixfive project span most of the genres so often prefixed by “indie” — rock, folk, electro, pop. But they are also immediate and cohesive, grounded as much by propulsive beats and hooky melodies as by the dark wit in Snyder’s lyrics. Following Snyder’s move to Chicago in 2013, the band’s membership solidified into a powerful four-piece: Snyder on vocals and guitar, Ben Dacoba on drums, Corbin Howard on keys, and Gordon Walters on bass. Having toured with bands as diverse as The Fratellis and Steel Pulse, Ace Reporter has gained the reputation of a band that shouldn’t be able to top their recordings…until you see them live.
Blood of the Wolf is a blackened death metal band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2012, Blood of the Wolf combines razor–sharp riffing with memorable melodic passages, relentless drumming and intense vocal delivery. For fans of: Belphegor, God Dethroned, Marduk, Vader
It’s probably best we get this outta the way as soon as possible: Derek Grant plays drums in Alkaline Trio. He actually plays a buncha instruments for that band in the studio, but that’s beside the point. Derek has been all over the punk scene, playing in The Vandals, Suicide Machines, even a stint playing in a grindcore act named after Dungeons & Dragons creator, Gary Gygax. NOW we’re talkin’! But before we bore you with nerdery or wow you with punk cred, let’s just get one thing straight: the man has a resume.
What’s more compelling is that he’s not only a virtuoso drummer, but he can play guitar and sing just as well. It’s actually really annoying to most people from the punk world who can barely play one instrument! But Derek’s unearthly abilities are what has enabled him to make his debut album, Breakdown, as he wrote ALL of the music and played ALL of the instruments. (Of course some creative credit goes to the dark times and divorce he endured, but we’ll get to that later.) This album isn’t another one of those, “Punk guy goes solo and makes acoustic music…AGAIN”, it’s more along the lines of “Crazy-talented weirdo makes a rock album with full instrumentation and it’s got everything”. Don’t think Chuck Ragan; think Brian Eno. Akin to projects like The Postal Service or She & Him or Gnarls Barkley, there’s a real sonic deviation going on here.
And what does it sound like? We’ll let the music do the talking and you can decide for yourself, BUT, we’re hearing one of the most diverse albums to come out of the underground music scene in quite a while. There’s hints of haunting rock like The Smiths, some Americana like Ryan Adams, and maybe even a bit of 80’s New Wave like Prince. Fortunately for Derek, he’s already part of an indie-punk titan and he can afford to take chances on Breakdown, but when all is said and done, fans of Alkaline Trio will probably really enjoy this stuff too. Because that’s how music works: even if it’s different, if it’s good, they will join the artist on the journey.
This debut has a lot of likable tunes, no doubt, but it also has some troubling undertones. These songs were all written while Derek was going through a divorce and dealing with life’s other demons. It was a bleak time for our protagonist, and he pretty much lays it out in the opening words of “You Don’t Know”, the album’s final track: “I’ve drank and drugged so many days, I wake up in some kinda haze—I’m reeling”. Let’s be honest here, breakups and hardship are the catalyst for the very best art, so the listener may as well enjoy it at his expense. It bears mentioning that Derek has since moved on, cleaned up, and living on a farm in…Vermont?! It’s true, and these are the songs that got him through it all. Hooray for happy endings, right?
When asked about playing solo, Derek told us, “Are you kidding?! I’m scared of playing alone. I’m probably going to have a band.” It makes sense, as there’s a lot going on with these songs. But the good news is in the subtext: there will be live shows! The immediate plan is to play some record release shows in his hometown of Detroit and the Alk3 stronghold that is Chicago. But beyond that, we’re excited to hear that he’s already getting offers to do more touring, so it sounds like Derek Grant will be taking his Breakdown around the land in 2015. – Toby Jeg
Ricky Rat co-founded the Trash Brats along with Brian O’ Oblivion in 1987. Over the course of 15 years, the Brats toured endlessly sharing the stages with the likes of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Johnny Thunders, Motorhead, Teenage Head, Marky Ramone Sylvian Sylvain and even unlikly pairings like the Goo Goo Dolls and Kid Rock. They released five full-length albums, several singles and appeared on numerous compilations around the world.
In autumn of 2011, Ricky released his debut solo single, Crossfire Summer, and begin his solo career.
2012 brought his debut solo full length album, Songs In C Major Love, and his first tour of Europe.
2013 brought more touring and shows with bands such as Sloppy Seconds, the Dictators and Sylvian Sylvain (New York Dolls) and Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols).
His latest single, Tokyo Pop, was released in Spring 2014 on New Fortune Records.
He is currently finishing up work on a forthcoming six-song ep.
Ricky has also toured and recorded with: Kevin K & the Kool Kats, Texas Terri & Cheetah Chrome, and Bootsey X & the Lovemasters.
What can I say about On A Highwire, that has not already been said about the Hope Diamond, the Arc of the covenant or Michelangelo’s David, Absolute perfection, in a word a perfect ideal of music and beauty, hearing this glory graced my ears like the glorious howling of a mid winter storm a wonderful braying of unicorns in gallop, a tremendous tsunami of tremulous vocals and melody brought on by these more than mortals, i grace myself to write such tales of their splendor and know that you will love these bards of Bucktown.
Rock ‘n’ roll faith-healers the Blind Pets, known for their show-stopping live gigs where frontman Joshua Logan jumps into the crowd wrestles his Gibson SG into sonic oblivion, have long been a spark plug in the engine of Austin’s underground music scene. Their working-class sound, recalling both the frantic guitar pop of Thee Oh Sees and the classic rock hooliganism of the Eagles of Death Metal, demonstrates conviction to the holy trinity of heavy guitar, bass, and drums that’ll make you a believer again.
While they’ve received consistent critical acclaim since forming in 2007—the Austin Chronicle calling their 2011 LP Sweet Tooth “One of the better Saturday night rock LPs in recent memory” and being repeatedly heralded as a must-see band by KUTX—2013 has proved a watershed year for the trio. They successfully completed three west coast tours, received prominent placement on the soundtrack for Showtime hit Californication, and had their He Said She Said 7-inch released by local trendsetters Pau Wau Records.
In Austin, you can find the Blind Pets detonating speakers at eastside honky-tonk the White Horse or laying down supped-up stoner rock on Stubb’s intimate inside stage, but more often than not, they’re out beating up the road and making their name the old fashioned way: playing shows and selling records.
Their energetic performances have been well documented, featured in taste-making video series the Good Music Club as well as in the documentary Outside Industry: the Story of SXSW, but it’s the Pets’ back catalog, three LP’s and a single, that proves them exceptional. Sugar (2007), Smashed (2009), Sweet Tooth (2011), and He Said She Said (2013) have exhibited continued growth in chemistry, songwriting, and overall intensity to become an all around dynamic force
The antithesis of today’s unruffled indie rock detachment, the Blind Pets fight with passion to connect. In their sweat, there’s showmanship. In their lyrics, there’s soul. That sound coming their amplifiers isn’t just distortion—it’s the invincible spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
Mike Browning formed Nocturnus AD as a reformed version (not a reunion) of Nocturnus that will continue on where “The Key” album left off. The band utilizes the same members as After Death but the music will be much more technical and in the vein of “The Key” album original released by Nocturnus in 1990.
Featuring former and current members of the Subversives, Eightysixed, The Virgin whores and Pist & Broke. Victory delivers straight up American Oi! like a steel toe to the face. Victory’s hard edged sound is fueled by lyrics based on the experiences of afghan war veteran and front man Dan and the bands struggles with being working class in a crumbling economy.
The Uncouth is one of those punk bands that do the standard punk rock quo exceptionally well. The fast strumming, three chords, 2 minute and 30 second songs are accompanied with the hell-raising lyrics most commonly associated with the punk bands of the 80’s. Their song “I Hate Your Mustache” just might
be what’s on every decent punk rocker’s mind. I leave it up to you to come and listen and decide for yourself, but I do warn you. That tingling that you feel in your pants isn’t foreplay. It’s The Uncouth getting ready to shove a little 1986 up your ass. -Courtesy of the boys at Recycled Rockstar
Punk rock never died. It just has the occasional nap. Fortunately, however, Booze & Glory have been keeping everyone wide-awake for the last decade, flying the flag for authentic working class rock’n’roll and the power of a rabble-rousing tune.
In the last 3 years this London band have added innumerable new triumphs to their already impressive CV, notching up nearly 300 shows played around the world, including high profile 5 week North American tour with Dropkick Murphy’s, 10 shows arena tour with Broilers and legendary Persistence Tour in Europe (Booze & Glory was the first punk band on this tour in the last 10 years). The band also appeared at the mighty Hell Fest in France, Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas and Pol’And’Rock Festival playing before Judas Priest in front of 500.000 people. 2018 also saw the band walk off with the Vive Le Rock Award for Best New Band, as voted for by the fans!
Recorded in Sweden at Soundlab Studios, the new album was produced by Millencolin guitarist Mathias Farm and promises to be the biggest, boldest and most explosive Booze & Glory album to date. With the introduction of piano and organ to the band’s trademark sound, the new songs amount to a wholesale upgrade for British punk rock, with a strong message of positivity and hope oozing from every boisterous, melody-drenched pore. Now featuring founder and singer/guitarist Mark alongside lead guitarist Kahan, bassist Chema, drummer Frank, Booze & Glory have never sounded more potent.
FALCONS is an amalgamation of many things, a boiling pot of styles and genre-free influence. The musical tastes range from world music to southern rap, and everything in between. The only rules are to push the boundaries of conventional r&b, rap, and electronic music, exploring new directions, but never losing site of the dancefloor.
Dance Craze is a 1981 British documentary film about the English 2 Tone music genre.
FCS SOUNDSYSTEM DJ’S
YOUR OLD DROOG
In today’s hip-hop landscape true virtuosity on the mic is rare. So rare that when even when it’s apparent it can be quite literally unbelievable. Rapper Your Old Droog knows this first hand.
In June 2014 the 25-year-old Brooklyn native released his first official project, the Your Old Droog EP, a 10-track project he cooked up in about a month with producers El RTNC and DJ Skizz. The project was good—really good. So good it got the attention of bloggers all over the web from New York Magazine’s Vulture to NahRight. The problem however, was that Droog seemingly came out of nowhere. No pictures, no YouTube videos, no Instagram account, no Twitter—no way for the entitled, deep-diving rap fan of 2014 to see what this guy was all about. All they had to go on was the music. Befuddled by Y.O.D.’s high skill level yet low profile, rap fans’ imaginations ran wild. Before long the conspiracy theories started and people began to posit that Droog was another older, legendary New York rapper in disguise. People argued about it on Reddit and made YouTube documentaries about him, while fans of his EP waited for the mysterious MC to show himself.
Profiled in the New Yorker, Droog set the record straight about who he was and followed up with the first video of him rapping at his DJ’s makeshift Brooklyn studio, all before making his debut to a sold out crowd in NYC in September of that year. Given a rave review in the New York Times, the performance proved that though his identity had been mistaken by some his talent was unmistakable and his impact on hip-hop was undeniable.
In November 2014 Droog released the deluxe retail version of his EP titled Your Old Droog LP which featured eight new songs. The album made New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica’s 10 Best Albums of 2014 list and landed at No. 13 on Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Rap Albums of 2014 list. This year Droog goes on a national tour and will release a new project in the first quarter of 2015.
NEXT TO NONE, a musically diverse rock band grown in the musically rich Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, features Max Portnoy on drums, Ryland Holland on guitar, Kris Rank on bass, and Thomas Cuce on keyboards and lead vocals. At the ages of only 12 and 13, the boys began writing their own music. They have worked hard building a following in the area by playing many shows at some of the best venues in Pennsylvania. They have been the support band for acts like Adrenalin Mob and The Winery Dogs. They have also competed in several Battle of the Bands, one of which landed the a spot preforming on Ernie Balls Vans Warped Tour and also won the People’s Choice Award at the UBace Battle of the Bands. Next To None has also recorded and released a 3 song EP that can be purchased on iTunes and are working on writing songs for a full length album.
They call it Northern Reggae…A one-hundred proof blend of raspy rocksteady, sizzling soul, surf swagger and punkrock pedigree shaken (not stirred) with a double shot of the roughest roots reggae your ears have ever tasted. Pour it into a highball glass over some ice-cold lyrics and you’ve got The Beatdown’s latest full-length offering “Walkin’ Proud”. Following hot on the heels of their acclaimed 2010 self-titled debut, “Walkin’ Proud” is an apologetic collection of thirteen hard driving, soulful bangers coming straight from the gut. The album was recorded almost entirely live off the floor, capturing the raw live energy, urgency and unmarred production that has made The Beatdown an established underground favorite with fans and newbies alike.
Formed in the mean, cold streets of Montreal, The Beatdown rose from the ashes of the late, great One Night Band after their untimely demise in the winter of 2009. Although only together for 3 short years, this intrepid four-piece gang of hoodlums have played more than 300 shows in 15 countries. They’ve appeared at such renowned festivals as Festival d’Ete (CDN), Victoria Skafest (CDN), Rebellion Fest (UK), Mighty Sounds (CZ), SCENE Fest (CDN), POP Montreal (CDN) and many others. They’ve shared the stage with an eclectic mélange of bands including Walk Off The Earth, Fishbone, Black Crowes, The Skatalites, The Slackers, Madball, UK Subs and The Creepshow just to name a few.
This is the real thing kids. Tough as nails, catchy as hell and good to go; The Beatdown are Walkin’ Proud.
Bio “Say hello to your newest musical masturbation fantasy.” This is how Outburn Magazine (USA) chooses to introduce Haken. The UK’s PROG Magazine describes them as “one of the brightest young bands in the progressive sphere right now.”
This London-born sextet are the “prodigiously talented youths that will benefit prog.” – PROG.
Mr. Stanciauskas, a Chicago-born jazz bassist and composer with Lithuanian roots, has concocted a program titled “Crosswinds” (“Skersvejai” in the language of his ancestors). It features an absurdly wide range of artists, even within the spectrum of cross-cultural influences that defines Chicago.
KATASTRO
Hailing from the desert of Tempe, Arizona, the members of Katastro gather to create a unique sound, blending elements of rock, funk, blues and hip hop. Formed in 2007 by vocalist Andy Chaves, drummer Andrew Stravers and guitarist Tanner Riccio, later joined by bassist Ryan Weddle, Katastro has been gaining a lot of exposure while impressing their peers at the same time. Opening for national acts such as the 311, Bad Religion, Awolnation, Dirty Heads, New Politics, Method Man, Redman, Ghostface Killah, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, and Passafire, they continue to pull in their audience with their intriguing and entertaining live show.
In 2008 the band released an EP entitled “The Facts”. Followed by “Poking Holes In A Pattern” produced by Bob Hoag, which was released in late 2009. In October of 2011, Katastro released their 4th studio album entitled “Gentle Predator”.
Katastro has gone on national tours with such acts as Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Passafire, and Pacific Dub. They recently relocated to southern california and are currently working on their next album.
Boss Fight is a group of four guys who honestly each believe they are the worst member of the band, and that the other three are geniuses who more than make up for whatever damage they cause. The result is a group of friends who have the time of their lives when they play together, and wouldn’t trade it for anything. We hope you enjoy it half as much as we do.
The Beauty In Her Eyes is a five-piece group combing sludgy metalcore with emotional melodies and lyrics. Forming in mid-2012, they immediately began writing their debut EP “Higher Consciousness” and released the EP in summer of 2013. Working over the next year, they produced another EP the following summer, “Shallow Existence”. Now after making a name for themselves by sharing the stage with national acts such as Northlane, Secrets, Animals As Leaders, This Or The Apocalypse, The Bunny The Bear, and CHON, they are currently playing shows to support the new EP and working on many new things! Join the Family.
Magma was founded in Paris in 1969 by Christian Vander, who derived his inspiration from a “vision of humanity’s spiritual and ecological future” that profoundly disturbed him. Vander was a self-taught musician, who received some tips from drum legend Elvin Jones. In the course of Magma’s first album, the band tells the story of a group of people fleeing a doomed Earth to settle on the planet Kobaïa. Later, conflict arises when the Kobaïans, who are descendants of the original colonists, encounter other Earth refugees. A distinguished aspect of Magma’s music is that Vander actually invented a constructed language, Kobaïan, in which most lyrics are sung. Later albums told different stories set in more ancient times; however the Kobaïan language remained an integral part of the music. Reportedly, Christian Vander is also highly influenced by the work of jazz legend John Coltrane. “For my work, it is still Coltrane who actually gives me the real material to work on, to be able to move on.,” says Vander.
What did you do the year you turned 21? Hip-hop prodigy Fashawn earned a spot on the cover of XXL magazine, toured the world and built a rep as one of rap’s new rising stars.
Fashawn’s debut album, “Boys Meets World,” was heralded by critics and fans alike as one of the best albums of 2009 for its gritty, street-wise and intelligent rhymes. Some even compared his introductory opus to Nas’ brilliant “Illmatic.” It was enough for XXL to name Fashawn to its list of hip-hop’s best freshman.
In 2010 he toured domestically with Wiz Khalifa, then followed that up with a Talib Kweli tour. Fashawn is also no stranger to the International Hip Hop scene touring with Dilated Peoples in 2009 and most recently Rakim in 2011. From coast to coast, and from continent to continent, everyone agreed — they weren’t seeing some fly-by-night novelty act, they were seeing one of hip-hop’s freshest new voices.
Many took notice: He worked with Grammy-winning producers Dr. Dre, DJ Khalil and Alchemist, featured on songs with J. Cole, Aloe Blacc and a handful of tomorrow’s future stars. Skateboard apparel company Etnies and urban clothing line Orisue both turned to him for endorsements. Camp Woodward, the biggest extreme sports camp in the world, recruited him to create a song/tv commercial and his hometown Fresno Grizzlies (AAA baseball) have made custom Fashawn merchandise to sell at their events. So that’s legendary hip-hop producers, international clothing lines and a pro sports franchise all wanting to be part of Team Fashawn
With a strong hip-hop pedigree (think Rakim’s merciless rhymes plus 2pac’s outlaw spirit plus Nas’ effortless flow) and a loyal fan base of young listeners, Fashawn seems poised for the long haul.
Murmur is the debut album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1983 on I.R.S. Records. Murmur drew critical acclaim upon its release for its sound, defined by singer Michael Stipe’s cryptic lyrics, guitarist Peter Buck’s jangly guitar style, and bassist Mike Mills’ melodic basslines.
Weezer, also known as The Blue Album, is the debut studio album by the American alternative rock band Weezer, released in May 1994 through DGC Records. The album was produced by Cars frontman Ric Ocasek and recorded in Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
The Slider is the third studio album by English rock band T. Rex, their seventh if including the group’s earlier incarnation as Tyrannosaurus Rex, released on 21 July 1972 by record labels EMI and Reprise. Two singles, “Telegram Sam” and “Metal Guru”, were released to promote the album.
The Slider received acclaim from critics, and reached number 4 in the UK charts and number 17 in the US.
Ground Up® is a hip-hop trio that resides in Philadelphia. The group members include a producer that goes by Bij Lincs; whose eccentric style and uncanny musical talent is complimentary to the witty wordplay and thoughtful lyrics of the two MC’s, AZAR & MALAKAI. The combination of relentless work as well as a grass-roots marketing strategy has enabled the group to accumulate fans exponentially while simultaneously releasing quality music. Along the way, Ground Up has grown notorious for its live shows; touring at school such as WVU, Temple U, West Chester, UVA, Cornell, Cheyney U, Pittsburgh U, Lincoln U to name a few. Ground Up has also opened up for renowned artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Asher Roth, Rick Ross, Chiddy Bang, The Nappy Roots, Meek Millz, Gucci Mane, and Chris Webby. With the help of their loyal fans, the strong team behind them, and the group’s ability to stay creative, it seems nothing will stop Bij Lincs, AZAR, or MALAKAI from making music their way – from the Ground Up.Support the Ground Up movement!
“If there’s such a thing as fusing some soul into a doom palette, MOS GENERATOR has achieved that. Seldom will you hear an unambiguous merge between the two outside of BLACK SABBATH’s “Sabotage”. Mos Generator have tapped into a loud vibe featuring sinister and coarse nuances yet with something revealing far more heart”.
Ray Van Horn Jr.- Blabbermouth
Mos Generator formed during the winter of 2000 in Port Orchard, Washington from the ashes of a ten year off & on collaboration between it’s three members, all of which are long time veterans of road & studio. The need to strip down to the basics of hard rock was apparent from the start and continues to be the foundation for all the bands recent material. Mos Generator have released 7 studio albums, a retrospective album, a live album and a plethora of split 7 and 12” singles on such labels as Listenable, Roadburn, Small Stone, Ripple, Nasoni, Lay Bare, Hevi Sike, H42, Devil‘s Child and Heavy Psych Sounds. Touring has been just as important to the profile of the band as making records has. Over the years Mos Generator has shared the stage with many great heavy rock bands including extensive tours with Saint Vitus, FU Manchu, Elder, Spirit Caravan and Atomic Bitchwax, opening up a whole new fan base to the Mos Generator sound. after 18 years of making music Mos Generator show no signs of slowing down. ~ Let’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!!!
“It’s as pure an example of heavy rock as I’ve heard.” JJ Koczan – The Obelisk
Tony Reed: Guitar / Vocals / Keyboards
Jono Garrett: Drums
Sean Booth: Bass
In a scene that has become largely repetitive, nostalgia driven, and prone to navel gazing, few bands stand out as breaking new ground. With their sophomore full-length ‘Blood from the Lion’s Mouth’, BARISHI demonstrate that it is still possible to challenge the established formulas of the metal genre by recombining its musical DNA.
There is an undeniable progressive undertone in their modern approach to hard guitar based music, but at the same time, the Americans delve into the darker side of extreme sound that defies the happy fret-fingering all too often employed by their peers.
BARISHI were formed by guitarist Graham Brooks, bassist Jon Kelley, and drummer Dylan Blake in Southern Vermont in the spring of 2010. The US band originally performed as an instrumental trio throughout the east coast of the United States, which they relentlessly toured. Their unique style of gritty progressive metal was completed with the addition of vocalist Sascha Simms in 2012. They have shared the stage with everyone from Mastodon to The Flaming Lips. In 2016 the quartet completed a U.S. tour with Weedeater, Author&Punisher and Today is the Day. They are set to release their much anticipated label debut ‘Blood from the Lion’s Mouth’ September 16th, 2016 on the esteemed Season of Mist record label.
BARISHI provide the listener with earth-shattering grooves and savage vocals born in the verdant mountains of Vermont. Prepare to be pounded on and thunderstruck with ecstatic metal from the ancient hills of New England.
Felix Martin is a Venezuelan guitarist & band trio based out of the elite Los Angeles music scene in California. Their unique and versatile style consists of an eclectic Metal sound with Latin Music and Jazz/Fusion genre mixes.
Felix grew up in Venezuela, then moved to Boston to study at the renowned university Berklee School Of Music. After graduating on a scholarship, he got signed by Prosthetic Records and started touring the world with his band.
They hit the road and played shows with well known prominent acts that include Sons Of Apollo (Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot), Marty Friedman, Tony MacAlpine, as well as touring in the USA, Europe, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia and China. The band also performed in the festival circuit that includes Progressive Nation at Sea, SXSW, Euroblast in Germany, Mexicali Prog in Mexico, and Tech Fest in the UK, among many others.
Over the years, Felix has been featured in various media publications around the world including LA Weekly, Revolver Magazine, Billboard, CBS Radio, Guitar World, Premier Guitar, Vintange Guitar, Blabblermouth, just to name a few.
He performs with self designed 12, 14 and 16-string guitars, which consist of two guitars joined together in one. His guitar company is called FM GUITARS, which is on its way to have 100 players in just a few months of release.
Many images come to mind when you hear about a kid setting up a drum kit and a mirror in the basement of his parent’s house. Attempting to keep time with The Meters, playing Cissy Strut, over and over again, until he gets it right. Loving, long suffering parents without ear plugs would be a bit of an understatement, but that’s how Casey Wasner learned to play along with several other instruments, while developing his ear and defining his voice. Self taught, determined and passionate about creating music, Casey writes and records what he feels. Clearly the true definition of a musician surrounded by music growing up.
Done with high school and passing on a sports scholarship, Casey moved to Nashville from Minnesota to try and find a gig playing drums. Working construction to make ends meet, Casey searched his soul and the neck of his guitar for the most logical path, when
one day his eyes were opened to the idea of creating his own style of music instead of just playing other people’s songs.
Michael Hicks is an unique blend of talent and humility which is rarely found in today’s emerging talent. As an artist, writer, and performer, Mike is revered as one of the best in the diverse Funk and Soul music scene in Nashville and beyond. His Freshman album, This Is Life, highlights the talents of his writing ability, the moral message of his music, and the production talents of both himself and James Waddell. The album is brought to life by his incredible (18 pieces at it’s fullest) funk group, Mike Hicks and the Funk Puncs. When he’s not writing and performing his own original music, Hicks is on the road touring the world with Blues icon, Keb’ Mo. International touring has lent him years of maturity that most young artists never get to experience. This interesting blend of influences and experiences have made him “the” artist to watch in Nashville.
Los Vicios de Papá is a high energy Latin ska fusion band with socially conscious lyrics stemming from our struggling and undocumented youth experience. Our sound started with a passion for ska/reggae and has evolved into an 8 piece band that arranges Cumbia, Dancehall, Huapachon, Hip Hop, Reggae and Ska creating an intoxicating mix that ignites fans into a dance-frenzy.
LVDP was born out of a crumbling public education system and failing immigration policy in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. We are a response to these systemic and unjust inequities; we create an upbeat way out.
