In today’s hip-hop climate it’s difficult for a rapper to be deemed authentic while still showing their audience they like to have fun. Detroit rapper SAYITAINTTONE doesn’t have that problem. Why? From one listen to his newly released mix tape 500 Million, you get the sense that the young spitter has been through some things, but hasn’t allowed the struggle to deter him from his goal of success. After beginning rhyming professionally three years ago, SAYITAINTTONE has grown as an artist, thanks to the support of his childhood friend, Big Sean.
Gangsta Boo (born Lola Mitchell on July 27, 1979), also known as Lady Boo, was a member of the Memphis, Tennessee-based rap group Three 6 Mafia’s Hypnotize Mindz.
It took 2 years to set up the band that will finally make you freak out. 61inch is the resault of the search. A name that does not explain itself on its own, just like the diverse songs or the band as such. Jesse (Voc/Guit), Klaus (Bass/Voc) and Phrosh (Drums/Voc) build a trio that knows:
In a trio, it`s more about the individual. A trio always forces you to continue getting better. The energy can be directly focused and punt foreward. And a trio also allows you to combine tricky beats, clear bass-lines and screams with sociocriticism, whalesongs, disco-grooves and lovesongs – whether with a suit in a convertible or with a baseball-cap wearing shorts by making barbecue.
“Postbeatrhythmcollegebritpoppunk – they don’t even really know what they’re doing. 61inch sounds like sixties, nineties, 2011. Familiar and surprising, timeless but still up-to-date. That’s exactly what makes 61inch sound that good.” (Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung)
Gene Loves Jezebel (GLJ) originally formed in the early 1980s by identical twin brothers Michael and Jay Aston and Ian Hudson. Gene Loves Jezebel’s best-known songs include Sweetest Thing’Heartache”, “Desire (Come and Get It)” (1986), “The Motion of Love” (1987), as well as their broody dark alternative club hits “Bruises” (1983), ‘Shame’ “Influenza (Relapse)” (1984), and “The Cow” (1985).
The Dance is a live performance by Fleetwood Mac, released on Cassette, CD and VHS in 1997, and later on DVD. It hailed the return of the band’s most successful line-up of Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie and Stevie Nicks, who had not released an album together since 1987’s Tango in the Night.
Who Knew will be performing “The Dance”
Who Knew was established in 2008 and is the heart project of cancer survivor and lead singer, Kelli Ann. Who Knew has been nominated for and earned multiple awards including being named Chicagoland’s Number One Dance Band. Individuals have a multitude of varied award winning experience, including grammy nominations for song writing and performing, national and international touring, and have performed on incredible stages, including Carnegie Hall.
Ken Becker (guitar/vox as Lindsay Buckingham), Kelli Ann MacCord Lotrich (Vox, as Stevie Nicks and 1 request prepared as Christine McVie, and acoustic guitar and tam), Jaclyn Rada (keys as Christine McVie), MaryCate Hines (vox as backups and Christine McVie and acoustic guitar), Claire Corriveau (vox as backups and Christine McVie and acoustic guitar), Matt Cordier (percussion as Mick Fleetwood) and Brian Garabaldi (Bass and Vox as John McVie).
Strangers in the Night with original subtitle A Double Live Album is a live album by the British rock band UFO, first released in 1979 (see 1979 in music) on the Chrysalis label.
“Hello Chicago! Would you please welcome from England, U! F! O!”
During the hard rockin’ high-times of the ’70s, the live album achieved iconic status. During the era of excess, the double live album ruled turntables. In January of 1979, with five previous studio albums recorded under their contract with Chrysalis Records, UFO issued Strangers in the Night. In my humble opinion, this LP stands as the greatest official concert recording ever unleashed from the wild world of hard rock and heavy metal. Featuring the classic, high-flyin’ UFO line-up of vocalist Phil Mogg, bassist Pete Way, mercurial anthem-rock guitarist Michael Schenker, drummer Andy Parker, and Paul Raymond on keyboards, S I T N captures the band firing on all cylinders during the Autumn of 1978 US tour.
Most cuts included where recorded at the Chicago International Ampitheater since “the people in Chicago really took us to their hearts. We did well in other cities, but Chicago was like a home-away-from-home for us, and to this day it’s a special place for UFO.” – Pete Way
J Logik (Jonathan Keith Ochoa) is a Chicagoland-area artist that is brining a new commercial rap and dance infused sound to the music front. J Logik is rated as reverbnations #1 Dance/Rap artist in Chicago (www.reverbnation.com/jlogik). J Logik is almost niche in the world of music by rapping and singing, his almost alternative-like vocals, over hard-hitting and higher tempo dance and house instrumentals accompanied by catchy and rhythmic melodies. Jae Switch (Justin Ochoa), brother of J Logik, plays an integral part in creating this music by offering additional vocals and song-writing talents to some of the music. J Logik has a unique delivery style and his lyrics are catchy, fun and humorous, which adds to the commercial and pop appeal. Having a very humble, laid-back, goofy and positive demeanor, his objective is to simply make good music and have fun while doing it.
J Logik released his first EP called “Logikal Nonsense” on October 9th, 2012. This EP was a free 6-song download exclusively on Facebook to his fans. An album was supposed to drop earlier this year but was later scrapped because it wasn’t the direction he wanted to take things musically. Originally, J Logik was a Hip-Hop artist that wrote on more conscious topics. J Logik states, “going from hip-hop to rap/dance, I really found where I fit in and it’s such a positive vibe and fun to perform on stage”. Very confident and proud of the “Logikal Nonsense – Part I” EP, A music video for “It’s Gone” was released the same date as the EP. The song “Party Poppin'” is getting a lot of local club play in the Chicago-land area. The complete “Logikal Nonsense” album is scheduled to release January 15th, 2013.
J Logik cites a vast range of different influences, such as rappers like Tupac Shakur, Biggie, Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rakim and Lupe Fiasco; R&B artists like Michael Jackson; rock bands like Smashing Pumpkins, The Verve, Nirvana, Foo Fighters and U2; electronic music like Deadmau5 and Skrillex. His wide range of appreciation and love for almost every genre of music and form of creativity inspires him to remain open with his musical direction and collaborations. J Logik cites, “good music is good music and that’s my passion…now let’s get this Party Poppin’.”
When you think Beyond Every Aspiration… there is Music! This multi talented group, comprised of (2) producers, and a female songstress and (1) male singer all met with one goal in mind – to take over the world, and that’s what they plan to do.
B.E.A.M. – Beyond Every Aspiration & Music bridges the gap between underground hip-hop, mainstream urban pop, and electric rock alternative. They blend elements of hip-hop, pop, electro, and dance to create an original sound and lifestyle they call ‘Urban Alternative’.
“Far beyond trends…” and surreal analogies, such as “A powerful BEAM of light” are motto’s lived by this ever changing group. They authenticate their music style by constantly staying above the bar and surpassing expectations of trends and style. Whether it’s producing new tracks, song writing, or just simply in the studio with other artists they always stay free to “beam up” all day, every day.
R=Cash, Kritikal Dyverse, bobby zohar and Vanessa Colon are always stylish and swagged out… with shades, skinny jeans, graphic tees, and fresh kicks have taken the Chicago underground pop scene by storm and turned it on its ass! With their flossy and stylish fashion interest combined with their musical style, B.E.A.M. is definitely a group that creates outside the box and is not afraid to push musical boundaries.
B.E.A.M. all grew up on the south side of Chicago with one . Influenced by pop and hip-hop at young ages; they all were ahead of their time. Rapping on the streets, producing in basements, and creating beats from a Casio keyboard proved to be the core base of their love and passion for music and entertainment.
How can you deny it… It seems to be that once these 4 mad geniuses set their minds to ruling the world at large there is nothing standing in their way! Beyond your expectations… Every dream fulfilled… Aspiration of greatness… Music is the star B.E.A.M. is more than music, not just a lifestyle, but a culturally inspired movement… We Beamin’
Created in March, 2011 by Andrew Clymer and Kevin Donohue, adding drummer Chris Anderson in the fall of the same year. Their music is called Electronic-Hydro Funk. The group, They have performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater, along with some of Colorado’s best music venues and several national festival apperances.
Chicago’s dynamic unsigned duo Pyro Fighter have been radiating the scene with their Tron-Pop sound since late 2009.
While they first caught attention after opening for Benny Benassi, Pyro is best known for having their songs “LMFAO”, “I’m The One”, and “Electrobotic” on MTV’s Jersey Shore, the movie Worst. Prom Ever., O Music Awards and the Guinness Book of World Records ‘Worlds Longest Dance Party” playlist.
They have their own station on Pandora and Spotify, have topped the charts of PureVolume.com, featured in various Music Magazines, and were named one of the top 15 acts to see at North Coast Music Festival 2011 (Right between Fatboy Slim and Wiz Kalifa).
Pyro Fighter made their radio debut on Chicago’s biggest top 40 station b96 as well as Riverside California’s KGGI after teaming up with Worldwide DJ BadBoyBill to re-release their single “I’m The One”.
With a successful future ahead, the duo plan to keep releasing fresh singles to their hungry fan base while continuing to make their way to a city near you.
The Imperial Rooster play an out there mix of folk, blues, country, & rock and roll that can only be described as GONZO ROOTS MUSIC. Influenced by Beer, Sterno, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Beer, Screamin Jay Hawkins, Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart.
I am a hip-hop/rap/pop artist from the beautiful city of Madison, WI. My style ranges from full on singing to a lighter style of rap. I’m always experimenting with different sounds and genres trying to change it up. As long as you keep listening to it, I’ll keep makin it.
Andrew Fraker had spent much of his musical time since the end of his previous band, Treeline, playing covers on acoustic guitar in various drinking establishments on Chicago’s North Side. Those travels connected him with former Telstar guitarist and vocalist Anthony Calderisi, who encouraged him to record some of his own music at his home studio. Brian Cohen, also from Treeline, contributed bass, and Chris Costello, who plays in another band with Calderisi and used to work with Fraker back in the dot-com era, added drums to the tracks. The recording project quickly became a live act, debuting late in 2008. Andrew Fraker & Sons play earnest rock and roll with a tinge of country, marked by vocal harmonies, acoustic and pedal steel guitars and a restless spirit.
Trapper Schoepp has the ear of a troubadour, the eye of a journalist and the heart of a young poet. He began writing songs at a tender age with startling facility, distilling rock, folk and country traditions into tunes that are at turns spirited and melancholy. Themes ranging from pride of place, love and adventure shine with surprisingly sophisticated metaphors for a songwriter so young. Run, Engine, Run won’t be out of place filed next to other artists distinguished for their early talent like Justin Townes Earle, Ha Ha Tonka and Lucero. Trapper, his brother Tanner, and the rest of their band the Shades offer this album as a love letter to their beloved home state of Wisconsin, and SideOneDummy will release it internationally on September 25, 2012.
Like his namesake M*A*S*H surgeon Trapper John, the 22-year-old Wisconsin songwriter found himself prepping for surgery a month before recording his band’s third and latest album, Run, Engine, Run, the result of a gnarly BMX bike crash 6 years earlier. Fortunately, his mother gave him a guitar after the accident and Trapper was able to turn his experiences on the operating table at the MayoClinic (for spinal decompression surgery) into songs like the Stones-flavored rocker, “Pins and Needles.”
“’Run Engine Run’ has a lot of meanings for me. My grandfather’s way of life was tied to timeless farming traditions passed down from generation to generation, the same way a songwriter is tied to and nourished by traditional songs. Musicians need to keep the engine running, to keep moving forward. The song is not only an ode to the car our grandpa gave us, but a nod to the perseverance of farmers in the Badlands and to preserving traditions.” Tanner agrees: “It’s about inheriting something of value from the past in a way that is not nostalgic, but vital and never-ending. The album title is a request for resiliency, a way of honoring the past, without getting stuck in it.”
Trapper Schoepp & The Shades is comprised of Trapper on lead vocals and guitar, brother Tanner on bass and vocals, drummer Jon Phillip (Tommy Stinson, Limbeck), and lead guitarist Graham Hunt. Daniel McMahon (Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons, Cameron McGill) produced Run, Engine, Run and contributed keyboard during the sessions. Grammy-award winning engineer Geoff Sanoff (Fountains Of Wayne, Green Day, Nada Surf) mixed the album.
“As a rock n’ roll band, we play music that has absorbed a whole range of stylistic overtones,” Trapper says of the musicality he’s after with the help of his band, The Shades. “In a sound bite world, it’s crucial to regard certain music not as a static art, but one that transcends tidy categorization. A radio station once said our music is ‘as much Pavement as Parsons.’ I thought that was telling, because this album has a little bit of everything – rock, country, power-pop, even some punk.”
While it’s difficult to capture the band’s live charisma on record, Run, Engine, Run comes close with 12 well-crafted tunes that describe the everyday triumphs and tragedies of Midwestern life. As soon as the album hits the streets, The Shades will take to the road, bringing their heartland rock to the masses. “There’s a blues song by the Rolling Stones called ‘No Expectations’ that hits on a person moving forward and not looking back,” Trapper says. “I hear the song as the story of a young, lonely rambler or musician whose has lost wealth and love, but accepts the fact that there’s a whole world ahead of him. I’m young, so I look at this as an opportunity to press on and share songs. Right now I have no expectations other than to keep on keepin’ on.”
Chicago’s newest groove purveyors! Bringing deep cuts, covering hip hop hits and greasing the dance floor with groove for days! Doin it to you in your ear holes!
“Mazzarella possesses a joyfully keening alto saxophone tone with the impact of Ornette Coleman’s upbeat existentialism. He also reveals a capacity for cage fighting fury and fluent abstraction.” – Michael Jackson, Chicago Sun Times www.nickmazzarella.com
Hoff has performed on hundreds of recordings and thousands of shows throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with numerous musicians and bands. Some of those with whom he has worked closely include: Ken Vandermark, Nels Cline, Vijay Iyer, Carla Bozulich, Ben Goldberg, Mary Halvorson, John Dieterich, Xiu Xiu, Teko Saso, Kira Roessler, and Good For Cows (his long-standing duo with drummer Ches Smith). devinhoff.tumblr.com
Zerang is a percussionist, improviser and composer who has performed with the hundreds of the best local and international improvisers, and has received over a hundred composition commisions and numerous grants for his work. www.michaelzerang.com
Even the Jackals is a rock and roll quartet, founded in 2010. The four jammed on and off in several groups before finding the perfect combination of talent. Bill and The Kid have been known to murder people with raging guitar solos (criminal investigations pending), while Seth and Chris keep the rhythm thumping and the energy high. Come out to a show a see what you’ve been missing!
After years of lying dormant, the blood flows once again for New Jerseys own Blood Feast. Brought to life in 1985, known to be the East Coast’s answer to Slayer, now with a mix of original & the new blood of members, Blood Feast is prepared to continue where it has left off, playing intense Thrash Metal the way they have from the beginning. Now setting their sights on spreading their Trail of Death across North America & Europe, Blood Feast hope to reach their legions of fans from the past & the present. Seeing Blood Feast live the set list includes all of the classic tracks from all three releases, Kill For Pleasure, Face Fate & Chopping Block Blues & a few New surprises. Played with intensity & precision, something Blood Feast has been known for. Introducing Chris Natalini on Vocals, John Blicharz on Guitar , Tom Lorenzo on Bass Guitar & rounded out by original members Kevin Kuzma on Drums & Adam Tranquility on Guitar. The demand for the band to reemerge by Blood Thirsty Thrash Freaks has now been answered!
Those in attendance of Blood Feast’s inaugural return with Obituary, winter of ’08, knew there was a future at hand, and now was the time. A sweltering venue of blood thirsty thrashers laid witness to the battery of drums and onslaught of vocals. They enamored in the chaotic dual lead guitar assault and proficiency of classic thrash as only Blood Feast could deliver, and Blood Feast had delivered on that evil night. Additional shows would follow with the likes of Possessed, At War, Mortician, and others. “Thrash metal was alive!” the chemically imbalanced hailed their masters.
Offering a feverish set of Blood Feast classics such as Menacing Thunder, Blood Lust, Hunted Stalked and Slain, and Face Fate, and– quite possibly –a few new offerings in blood, fans will not be denied their fate at the hands of the Jersey Thrashers. Blood Feast is back and ready to thrash! The machine of war is oiled, forging forward, manned only by blood thirsty corpses with
visions of blood.
Straight out of the depths of hell comes a hard living, heart stopping, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants rock ‘n’ roll band based out of Columbus, Ohio. From an attitude and intensity that snarls in your face with sexual drive, to a soulful and heart-felt, sense of melody, Devil By Design is undoubtedly a band you don’t want to miss. The raw relentless lifestyles reflect clearer than crystal within their music, and it is not hard to see why they are being called the most dangerous band in rock ‘n’ roll.
After a decade in Chicago playing metal, MG and Nate moved back home and decided to bring it back to what they knew; hard hitting tunes infused with punk, rock, and country music.
In MG & the Gas City 3’s short time together, they have become one of Indiana’s most exciting and hardest working bands; playing to great crowds across the Midwest.
After the release of their debut album Get in, Shut Up and Hold On (2010 Gas City Records), MG & the Gas City 3 has enjoyed a great string of success playing Indiana’s most prestigious venues with well known acts such as Rockabilly Hall of Famer Art Adams, Hillbilly Casino, The Krank Daddies, Hudson Hornet and Mo Foster’s The Next Big Thang.
With tons of views and likes, the single “Rock Kept ‘A’ Rollin”, filmed by Andrew Quinn soared courtesy of Gas City Records.
MG & the Gas City 3 is currently working on their second studio album due in the Spring 2012.
Joan of Arc are an American indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in 1995, following the breakup of Cap’n Jazz. Singer Tim Kinsella has been the only permanent member of the group; he has also recorded as a solo artist.
Blonde on Blonde is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on May 16, 1966 on Columbia Records. Recording sessions began in New York in October 1965 with numerous backing musicians, including members of Dylan’s live backing band, The Hawks.
An alien lyricist and inter-dimensional time-traveler, The StarShip has only one directive- The Orgy at the End of the Universe. An Experimental mix of Industrial, Hip-hop, Electro, and Psychedelic; The StarShip is a unique entity. Known for the song “Fuck The Universe”, his sciFi and pop culture references have made him a cult favorite across all geek communities. Always pushing the envelope with humorous social commentary and an out this World conceptual performance, The StarShip will take you on a trip that must be experienced to believe.
The Glitter Guild is a wandering troupe of Con-going Cosplayers grown too hot for their costumes. Best known for bringing their passion for everything from D20 to Doctor Who, to crowds of 600+ annually at Indiana’s GenCon, the Guild are all truly passionate enthusiasts who give the same loving care to their costuming that they lavish on their obsession of choice. What kind of underthings does a Klingon wear? Where else do Chthulu’s tentacles grow? These are questions the Glitter Guild considers carefully and answers with grins, glitter, and glee. Like all good Guilds, the Glitter Guild now journeys countrywide from Con to Con, bringing jiggles and joy to all the fanboys and fangirls they can find.
Featured Glitter Guild performers include- Bazoka Joe, Hazel Hellender, and Red Rum.
You can take the gal out of the Honky Tonk, but you can’t take the Honky Tonk out of the gal. Dollface wants everyone to treat her like a lady, and if they don’t, she’ll cut them in half. She’s tiny, but she’s fucking mighty, and takes her vitamin every day… it’s called a steak.
An all around artist and performer, Dollface knows no bounds. From photography to crafting, silks to grinding, tap to fire handling… Dollface, is the one and only razorblade in the cupcake.
Legends say that VIKING JESUS is a being that descended upon Earth to give humans better metal. Others say he’s a spirit that passes on face-melting abilities from one person to the next. Others say he’s just a dude from Middle-of-Nowhere, Illinois who loves video games a little too much. Whatever you believe, prepare to be rocked!
King’s X is an American hard rock band that combines progressive metal, funk and soul with vocal arrangements influenced by gospel, blues, and British Invasion rock groups. The band’s lyrics are largely based on the members’ struggles with religion and self-acceptance. King’s X was ranked #83 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
Since being signed to Megaforce Records in 1987, King’s X has released twelve studio albums, one official live album, and several independent releases. The band is currently recording for the InsideOut Music label, and continues to tour with each new release. Early in their major label career, they had many opening slots on arena tours, but lately, the band for the most part headline their own shows playing mostly clubs and smaller venues. Each member of the group has recorded solo albums and has made numerous guest appearances on other artists’ albums and compilation projects. Doug Pinnick and Ty Tabor also have albums released with side bands that they participate in.
Andy Frasco, a twenty-three blues/jazz musician hailing from the San Fernando Valley in Southern California, is nothing short of an enigma. Influenced by Damien Rice, Sam Cooke, Professor Longhair, Van Morrison and Tom Waits, Frasco’s style is as uninhibited as those artists who inspire him. Let’s call it Party Blues.
Within the past three years alone, Frasco has trekked over 120,000 miles, performed over 700 shows, with spanning over 6 countries. Frasco’s journey, however, is just beginning. This revolutionary is on a mission to alter the music business as we know it.
Frasco’s a rarity in the music business: one who is an industry “insider” and a talented musician. This unparalleled insight is due, in part, to his days of managing and promoting bands when he was 16 years old. He’s booked bands like HelloGoodbye, and worked with labels and venues such as Drive Thru, Atlantic Records and The Key Club in Hollywood, Ca.
What’s more, Frasco does not come from a musical background. His family played no instruments, and it wasn’t until the age of 17 that Frasco met his soul mate: the piano. At 19 years old, Frasco traveled to New York to work with friend and colleague Jordan Stilwell, producing his first album Growth and Progress. From there, Frasco toured the country with VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, raising money for Music Education in the Public Schools.
Yet 220 shows in 360 days through 33 states that he personally booked on the Save the Music Tour wasn’t enough for this young prodigy. Frasco headed back to Los Angeles to form his own band and produce his third and current album, Love, You’re Just Too Expensive. Frasco continues to prove that he is a dynamic force with which to be reckoned, as listeners marvel at his talent and soulful performances wherever he goes.
Andy Frasco has jammed with artists such as Leon Russell, Galactic, Jakob Dylan, Pretty Lights, Butch Walker, The Flobots, Spill Canvas, Suburban Legends, Nural, Tyler Hilton, & John Mayer.
In 2011 alone, Frasco received musician of the year at showcases such as Sundance Film Festival, HatchFest, Orion’s Music Festival and the European Independent Film Festival.
Frasco may just be the “Second Coming” of blues music for this emerging generation, changing the course of mainstream music in a blazing path of glory that will someday take him home.
Good Ground formed in 2012 when husband and wife duo John and Carla Wills, with long time friend and musical collaborator Zach Thomas, began writing and recording original songs that combined Carla’s love of singer/songwriter folk music with John and Zach’s ten years of writing and performing together in various guitar-driven rock bands. The combination created a unique sound that features vocal tradeoffs between John and Carla, layered acoustic and electric guitar stylings, and tempos ranging from diving and upbeat to slow and melancholy. Good Ground has roots in the Chicago suburbs.
Krol Kleks started in October 2011 in Chicago. By February 2012, Krol Kleks began to play shows all over the Chicago giving a very raw, DIY, and psychedelic/garage/surf rock sound to everyone fortunate enough to catch the experience (otherwise you can wear your motorcycle jacket while taking acid and catchin a wave). Krol Kleks is about imagination, angst, and karma….the rest is in your hands.
Singer-songwriter raised in Texas. First picked up the guitar after listening to Townes Van Zandt’s For The Sake Of The Song, haven’t put it down ever since.
Warseid is an independent folk metal act from Madison, Wisconsin. The group was formed in 2008, and has always included many symphonic elements with their somewhat traditional sound. Their lyrical themes range from nature, to mythology and fantasy, often presented with very dark tones.
Thor’s hammer crashed to the earth with a mighty rumble. When the smoke cleared, there were some guys. Some stuff happened that set the mood, something about a quest to rock some towns, and now we play melodeath.
Wilderun is a Symphonic Folk Metal band based out of Boston, Massachusetts.
The band combines original material with traditional folk songs, many of which have been pulled from America’s rich repertoire. Wilderun’s goal is to bring these old and lost folk tales to a modern audience, giving them a fresh metal twist, as well as creating epic, original compositions.
When Mark Stutso, master of the deep groove, joined The Nighthawks at the beginning of 2010, the 21st-century version of the legendary American roots band was complete. With Paul Bell and Johnny Castle in the band for nearly a decade, and founding father Mark Wenner the remaining original, this team outshines all previous incarnations.
The Nighthawks was an idea in Mark Wenner’s brain long before he was able to implement it. The musical product of pre-1958 radio in Washington, D.C., he did not know there were rules against mixing blues, R&B, honky-tonk country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly into one delicious stew.
In 1972, Mark, then 23, returned to his hometown after a New York City band apprenticeship eager to start a real, work-every-night band based on American roots music. He found a receptive local scene. Washington has long been a musical melting-pot of the kind that made Memphis the source point for the evolution of American music in the second half of the 20th century. It just never had a Stax or Sun record label to tell the world. As the city exploded with an influx of people from all the surrounding states during the Great Depression and World War II, Washington became a hotbed of musical cross-fertilization. When Bill Haley first brought his wacky Pennsylvania mix of hillbilly music and rhythm and blues to D.C. in 1952, people got it. And white kids like Mark found the Howard Theater – now recently restored and part of the historic top tier of the Chitlin’ Circuit that included Baltimore’s Royal, Chicago’s Regal and New York’s Apollo – just a 25-cent bus ride away from the suburbs.
With a true passion for sub-bass, Chicago’s premiere female Dubstep DJ brings nothing but the dirtiest upfront beats. Lady Raven has been headlining parties across the U.S. and creating new legions of fans all over the world. She has rocked crowds across Chicagoland and various nightclubs / underground events all over the Midwest. She has already performed alongside Dubstep heavyweights Rusko, Flux Pavilion and Doctor P.
She strives to be at the forefront of the Midwest Dubstep scene. Her mixes have been featured on Digitally Imported Radio, Radio Dubstep, and Global Vortex Radio.
Lady Raven is guaranteed to put on an explosive show filled with the filthiest beats to blow your mind. If you like it dirty, then don’t miss Lady Raven!
SAVIOR SELF is a hard rock band hailing from Chicago IL, consisting of Scott Nadeau (Vocals), Kevin Konieczny (Bass/Vocals), Ken Ugel (Guitar), Kevin Earl (Guitar), and Kevin Levonyak (Drums).
This down and dirty band is in the pursuit of sweeping Chicago off its feet. Shaggwell plays a unique blend of rock, soul, and blues while lyrically romanticizing the ideals and battles of love, sex, and everyday life. The band is comprised of four musicians attending Columbia College as music students, and they have just released there debut album, followed with a tour summer of 13.
The Lords & Ladies : Vaudevillian Disc Jockey Extra-Ordinaries, are, simply put, the people behind the sound that comes from the “Fusion-O-Scope” that makes the people at any variety of events throughout Chicago, and beyond, move their – if you will – derrieres.
But who are they, you ask? They are Joseph C.R. Vourteque, self appointed Lord Baron and deranged mad man, producer and remix artist. Fay Kabian, un-lady, un-mitigated promoter, cinema arts & design expert and un-apologetic gypsy fiend. And the strange Mr. M who bides his time as both a “selector” behind the DJ decks and a performer behind the theremin with The White CIty RIppers. Lastly is their bizarre contraption the “Fusion-O-Scope” a “DJ Rig” built from the twisted plans of Vourteque and engineered by world traversing inventor Professor Evad Flor.
They have DJed and performed alongside The Squidling Brothers Circus Sideshow, The Show Devils, Hellblinki Sextet, Frenchy & The Punk, That Damned Band, The White Ghost Shivers, Environmental Encroachment, Eliza Rickman, Curtis Eller, Duenow, so many others, and Andrew O’Neil from The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing once commandeered the DJ rig at a hotel party in Michigan. They’ve performed in New York for The Anachronism, at Trundle Manor in Pittsburgh, in Columbus for Ohayocon, Detroit for Fraudeville, Theatre Bizarre and Wonderland, Saint Louis for Beggar’s Carnival, Wisconsin with The Dead Man’s Carnival and many more gigs are to come.
Lee Na-Moo is a performance artist and dance artist, who performs in Chicago, IL. He started his training in the fall of 2007 under the guidance of Stephanie Barto, Director of RMH. He believes that dance is a moving art; and so he strives to emote the feeling. To Lee, the greatest performers are not those with the best technique, but are those who can move and captivate the audience with their stage presence.
He has performed at various venues within the Chicago-land area including Alhambra Palace, House of Blues, The Metro, Griffin Lounge, corporates, and private events, among many others. He strives to be a “moving work of art.” His style of fusion is best described as elegant, refined, graceful beauty in movement with a high energy. Always pushing the boundary and his limits, he seeks to astound the audience with his sense of style.
He can be seen in Taproot’s (Victory Records) music video “Release Me.” In October 2010, he won the Chicago Oriental Dance Competition and as a result won a trip to perform with Mario Kirlis in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In 2012, he audition for the Bellydancer Superstars; and through that he was invited to travel to Spain in March of 2013 to perform and teach at the 7th International Oriental Festival in Valladolid.
Out in the woods she lived, all alone. At least that’s what it felt like, never belonging to any one group and having a penchant for the oppressed. Crystal did not come from a musical family, and unlike so many children who are forced into music lessons, at age seven she practically ran away to her piano teacher’s house down the street – books in her basket – pedaling as fast as she could down the gravel road – dust flying behind.
When she was still young, a little demon told her that she shouldn’t sing, that it sounded better when she just played the piano, but she was determined to ignore the demon and sing her heart out anyway. But sometimes the influence of the demon rendered her silent and still, and her hands seemed to be void of life.
As she grew up she traveled the world, dancing with the Romani people of Spain, residing in an “anarchist” collective, working in Yellowstone, and above all else learning about other cultures and their music. It was in Greensboro, NC in 2010 that she met what would become her first Silver Hand. Diego Diaz had witnessed her previous band that took him to another time and place, and he wished to contribute his haunting and ethereal guitar sounds. It was around this time that Crystal’s hands began to grow back. She began writing her own music again, and in less than a year collaborated with the North Carolina Symphony on an arrangement of her song “Toy Hammer” for their 2010 New Year’s Eve program at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh. She is constantly performing, has had two Northeast tours and has played alongside Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Larkin Grimm, Pearl and the Beard and many more.
“Muses and Bones,” her second album, will cast you into an otherwordly, ethereal, hauntingly familiar yet strange landscape, ranging from deranged Cirque du Soleil to burlesque European Carnival. Within Crystal’s unconventional song structures, you’ll hear her inspiration from P.J. Harvey and Björk, and a deep love for Yann Tiersen and the Gotan Project. Her lyrics and melodies portray the world as a dark and strange (and often funny) place deeply connected to fables and imagination. Stories such as “Little Match Girl” and “The Misplaced Zygote” convey folklore lessons that address phases in women’s lives where they need to be conscious of staying true to their intuition. Songwriting begins in many different ways, including inspiration from refrigerator magnet poetry or going to the movies alone at midnight, but is mostly a channeling process that happens late at night when the veil between reality and dreams is the thinnest. Expect the unexpected.
Crystal’s songs reflect her educational background in Anthropology and Ethnomusicology and her experiences playing and singing various styles – Mariachi, Chinese, Balinese Gamelan, Ugandan, Samba and more. She is a mad multi-tasker who jumps around on accordion, musical saw (self-taught through YouTube videos), piano, adungu (a Ugandan harp), concertina and bombo (Argentine drum) – sometimes more than one at a time! She possesses astounding vocal range and power that descends on a dime to delicate subtlety. One moment she sings, she soars – and the next… a falsetto whisper that slyly peeks behind the curtain.
Many Silver Hands have come and gone on various instruments. These days Sandy Blocker, whom Crystal met as her African drumming teacher 11 years ago, contributes African, Middle Eastern, and South American rhythms by adding riqq, jembe and congas, alongside kick drum and cymbals. Another Silver Hand is the exquisitely tasteful Jeremy Denman from the hip-hop group Urban Sophisticates on trumpet. Crystal desires to collaborate with other artists in all areas of media and believes strongly that arts have the power to create community and heal.
Swingrowers are a quintet from Palermo, Sicily and are noted for their irreverent style, which blends the freshness of dance music, with the warm influences of swing from the 20s and 30s.
The project initially began with Roberto Costa a.k.a. “Pisk” (one of the most active producers of electronic music in Palermo) and Loredana Grimaudo (Brilliant voice of ‘OPRP). And have since been joined by manouche guitarist, Alessio Costagliola and much more recently saxophonist Ciro Pusateri (A protagonist during the tour of the Fifth Space and Rodrigo Phalen) and violinist Davide Rizzuto (itinerant musician & winner of the XI National Contest for Young musicians).
In 2012 they won the title “Best Hope 2012” in the competition “Electro Swing People Favorite 2011”. Since then they have shared the stage with Caravan Palace, Parov Stelar and Chinese Man in their live shows in Europe. They have had the privilege of opening the only Italian date of Parov Stelar at Alcatraz in Milan. In April 2013 they first toured overseas in the USA and Canada, which has seen them play sell-out shows in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Chigaco, Toronto and Detroit. The Swingrowers have been constantly touring around Europe, playing at world renowned clubs and events such as: Electro Swing Club in London, Alcatraz in Milan, London Hootananny, Java and La Machine du Moulin Rouge in Paris, Electro Swing Cabaret Toulouse and Lyon, Swing Circus of Turin, Jitterbug of Nottingham and the White Mink Club nights in Brighton and London as well as numerous summer festivals like Secret Garden Party, BoomTown, Latitude, LoveBox, Wilderness.
The band are signed to Freshly Squeezed – a Brighton (UK) based independent record label and music publisher. Their first album “Pronounced Swing Grow’ers” was released on Freshly Squeezed in September 2012 and has since gone on to become a staple soundtrack for many electro swing compilations and club nights. In early 2015 the released their second studio album ‘Remote’ featuring the full 5 piece band. In February 2015, they shot a stunning music video at London’s listed Rivoli Ballroom (https://youtu.be/9Jy8pK7tTzg).
Swingrowers have collaborated with a number of different artists, including Dj Pony Montana from Feel Good Production and Gypsy Hill as well as producing an official remix for Caro Emerald’s track “One Day”. (http://youtu.be/MQ9Zl-rAmYM). Swingrowers have also released a series of singles as part of their “Do not COVER EP”. The last single in the series featured ‘The Lost Fingers’ in a cover of Technotronic’s 1989 hit ‘Pump Up The Jam”, which also included a music video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUOQG4qM8uU).
Swingrowers are one of the most exciting rising talents within the retro music scene and “a band maturing at a rapid pace”.
Pirate, Actor, Comedian, Performer, Artist, and Entertainer. Beloved character of the Bristol Renaissance Faire for the last 3 years, Bluebeard has performed his show at various venues all over the country! Mission: to entertain the masses for the sake of making everyone laugh like dag jolly fools! Poke around here a while and find out about the show itself, some photo pictures from past shows, where he’ll be performing next, and how to get a hold of him (not too tight mates, he’s sensitive around the middle).
Santa Barbara based rock band Versus The World, now consisting of Mike Davenport (The Ataris), Chris Flippin (Lagwagon), Donald Spence and Bryan Charleson (Crooks and Liars), formed in the back of The Ataris owned record store, Down On Haley, in Santa Barbara and released their debut self-titled album in 2005 on Kung Fu Records. They spent the next few years touring in support of the release with bands like Suicide Machines, Bouncing Souls, The Lawrence Arms, Social Distortion, No Use For A Name, The Vandals, I Am The Avalanche and the Vans Warped Tour building up a worldwide fan base along the way.
Versus The World reconvened in 2010 and began writing and recording their long awaited follow-up which they wrapped in early 2012. Soon after, the band inked a deal with Viking Funeral Records in the US and Canada, a label imprint started by Ken Seaton of Hardline Entertainment and Pennywise guitarist Fletcher Dragge along with Kevin Zinger of Suburban Noize Records. This was followed by securing Concrete Jungle Records to handle the European market and 3Wise Records to handle the Australian market.
Produced by Thom Flowers (The Ataris) at Playback Recording and Orange Whip studios in Santa Barbara, mixed by Ian MacGregor (All American Rejects, Katy Perry) and mastered by Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Drink. Sing. Live. Love. features thirteen fist pumping tracks that fuse elements of post-hardcore, pop-punk and rock on tracks like “She Sang The Blues”, “A Fond Farewell” and “Lullabye”.
Kissing Candice started as a mere vision. Ex-Dr. Acula keyboardist and sample mastermind, Joey Simpson, was looking to start a project that would combine metal, hardcore, industrial and electronic music in a unique and cinematic fashion. Taking on the role of frontman, Joey hit the studio with producer Jeremy Comitas to record the debut EP, Murder. While giving listeners a taste of what to expect from the band, Joey soon realized that it was time to put together a full lineup.
After recruiting Tommy Sciro (guitar), Marco Caruso (drums) and Mike Grippo (bass),Walter Dicristina(Guitar) the band began to fine-tune their songs for live performances. Soon, this Long Island based five-piece had a sizeable buzz growing online, with followers and fans accumulating on various social networks. Quickly attracting listeners on a daily basis, Kissing Candice is already proving that their brand is being eagerly welcomed to the scene.
With the new members of the band contributing to the writing process, future material will undoubtedly be the most vicious and addicting output from the band thus far. Keep a close eye on Kissing Candice, as their blood, guts and gore-filled tunes infect the masses during the remainder of 2012 and beyond.
Chomp Chomp Attack is a Post-Hardcore/Rock band from Montreal, Canada. Formed in 2010, the group has set out to spread the message of believing in yourself and in your dreams. They have made an impact to their fans ;MONSTERS, around the world with their EP “How Do You Like Me Now” released in the summer of 2012.
Wet The Steel is a five-piece black/death metal band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band began in 2008 playing a blend of various styles of metal based on a brutal deathcore backbone and quickly gained attention among the internet & social media communities.
Starting in 2010 and continuing over the next two years, Wet The Steel went through a number of lineup and inspirational/directional changes. With these changes came a faster, more aggressive and overall matured sound – “slamming blackened death metal,” as they have been recently described.
Over the years the band has shared the stage with such acts as Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Arsis, Gorod, Rotten Sound, and Annotations Of An Autopsy, et al.
The current focus for Wet The Steel in the early part of 2013 is finishing a long anticipated full-length album and hitting the road to play shows more frequently.
Wet The Steel’s primary goal is to instill pure unadulterated hatred into the minds of listeners.
After a decade of putting out albums and touring, Nebraskan singer-songwriter Orion Walsh has released his fourth effort “First By Water Then By Fire” with new indie label Morning Radar Sounds. The relatively dark EP speaks of the foolishness of war, consumerism, and selfishness that surrounds the norm of western culture. Walsh has released two full length albums, “The Hitchhiker’s Son” (produced by AJ Mogis) and “Tornado Lullabies” and one EP, “Freedom Lost Freedom Found” prior to his newest effort via The Hunter Records. He has also released a full length album with his previous band Slow Coming Day (Tooth and Nail Records) which had major label distribution back in 2003. His accomplishments include releasing several songs for multiple compilations as well. Walsh has also been touring for a decade and has performed shows all over the United States and Europe. Several of his songs have been used on television and independent films in the past, the most noteworthy being on “Americas Next Top Model” of international fame. Expect to see more from this seasoned troubadour in the years to come.
Charlatan is the solo project of Chicago native, Omar Rashan. Writing began in 2011 and the repertoire of tunes continues to grow since. Cultivating elements of electronic beats, buzzing synthesizers, catapulted into blaring guitars dripping in reverb, Omar’s vocals are delightfully dolloped into the mix, resulting in a poppy, yet textural harmony.
Los Angeles based band Blacklist Union is back with a brand new body of work and a brand new attitude to boot. Their 3rd full length CD is their best body of work to date and is a virtual who’s who of rock from beginning to end. From the first and title track “Til Death Do Us Part” til the very last cut “Same Ol Pressure” this body of music will keep you mesmerized and hypnotized throughout its 45 minutes of pure gut level rock-n-roll. An 11 song collection of songs written and performed by a cast of who’s who from the rock n roll world. Recorded with ¾’s of the well known rock band SALIVA, as well as Hunt Sales ( formerly of David Bowie’s Tin Machine & Iggy & the Stooges) this CD delivers the goods. Songs are written with Anthony “Trouble” Valli formerly of multi platinum recording artists CRAZYTOWN (known for delivering such hits as “Butterfly”) to Todd Youth a musical icon in his own right , having played with everyone from Glenn Danzig to Glenn Campbell. Songs were also written by Mark Fain & Carmine D’Amico who co wrote the first two Blacklist Union releases along with West. Both releases “After The Mourning”,released April of ‘06 and “Breakin’ Bread With The Devil”,released July ’08 have been critically acclaimed around the world from Metal Hammer in the UK to Revolver Magazine & just about every rock n roll affiliated website, magazine & radio station that love rock n roll and support new artists. BLU is pure street rock n roll with no filters. Blacklist Union again with major label producer, Chris Johnson ( Goldfinger, Josh Todd, Hillary Duff) at the controls, brings us songs of pure blazing rock n roll. Staying true to form Blacklist Union is as real as it gets.
Formed in 2004 by frontman Tony West, BLU released their debut “After The Mourning” April of 2006 which was met by critical acclaim all across the globe. From Memphis to Melbourne to Louisiana to London, Blacklist Union instantly made a mark throughout the rock-n-roll underground . Their follow up in 2008 “Breakin’ Bread With The Devil” received the same amount of critical acclaim and certainly put them on the map in the rock n roll world yet again. Blacklist Union has toured nationally receiving 5 star reviews from music industry magazines, fanzines, webzines and has a continuously growing fan base both domestically and internationally. With all of their hard work and perseverance, Blacklist Union has dominated the rock n roll underground and their newest release “TIL DEATH DO US PART will be certainly exposing them to a larger audience around the world. Blacklist Union is a true rock n roll band that continuously pushes themselves to the limit in every aspect of their music. Singer/songwriter Tony West tackles real life situations that affect each and every one of us in one form or another. From character assassination, to name dropping, addictions, sexual innuendos, romance , friendships, birth, death and living on the edge of destruction is just a fraction of what is touched on in their music.
Blacklist Union is unfiltered and in your face its raw and as real as it gets. BLU has had its shares of ups and downs throughout its almost 8 years of existence to say the least, but in the end they have always pulled thru to face another day and to write another chapter of their checkered and colorful lives.
Dillon Hodges translates old-time music to a new audience with his soulful
voice and haunting melodies. Growing up near Muscle Shoals, Alabama, he
began shaping his sound by immersing himself in bluegrass and traditional
music. Considering his age, the music on commercial radio of the time, and the
historical significance of soul music in the area, his musical style was unique
to say the least. Hodges grew up refining his guitar skills by competing in flat-
picking competitions, winning fourteen total in just four years.
As the artist evolved his playing style he started incorporating his songwriting
skills to create a mix of traditional music infused into more modern songwriting
styles. This combination creates a unique style of Americana that crosses
mainstream at times. The wide crossover appeal of Hodges’ music has been
proven as he has shared the stage with artist ranging from old-time legend
Ralph Stanley to the hushed harmonies with The Civil Wars, and more amped
Americana with Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. Dillon’s master playing abilities add
depth to his recordings and unforgettable energy to his live performances.
Hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, and possessing a voice the Onion A.V. Club warns “knocks your brain into the back of your skull,” Adam Faucett has drawn comparisons from Tim Buckley to Cat Power to Otis Redding.
Called “one of the greatest, most thoughtful lyricists the state has to offer,” (Arkansas Times) Faucett has again pushed the borders of his “part folk, part blues, part elemental rock stomp, part unidentifiable cosmic holler” (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) with the release of It Took the Shape of a Bird, a record of his most personal, unbodied, and darkly beautiful songs to date.
Faucett began performing solo in 2006 when the demise of Russellville, Arkansas-based band, Taught the Rabbits, pushed him toward Chicago. He returned to Arkansas in 2007 to record his first solo album, The Great Basking Shark, and began touring nationally. 2008’s Show Me Magic, Show Me Out followed, featuring Faucett’s band, The Tall Grass, and a relentless tour schedule soon led to shows with Jason Isbell, Damien Jurado and Lucero.
2011 saw the release of More Like A Temple, which received praise from outlets including American Songwriter, Paste Magazine, No Depression and Uprooted Music Review. Temple also gained overseas support, landing at #14 on the EuroAmericana chart and received 5 stars from Altcountry.NL, bringing Adam to Europe for the first time.
2014’s Blind Water Finds Blind Water—Faucett’s first release with Last Chance Records—was named to American Songwriter’s “Top 50 Albums of 2014,” and found him back in Europe. In addition, he spent time as international and national tour support for Chuck Ragan, Austin Lucas, King Buzzo, The Bottle Rockets and Pallbearer.
Faucett’s latest record, It Took the Shape of a Bird (Last Chance Records), is available on all platforms and was named to Pop Matters‘ “Top 20 Americana Albums of 2018. His fifth solo album, it’s also his most personal and heaviest. From opening track “King Snake,” it wastes no time immersing the listener into a world of murky storytelling fueled by true, though often skewed accounts, wherein Faucett’s moving, heartrending melodies breathe life into a cast of tragic and historic characters and locales: a World War II-era orphan, Louisiana gris gris girls, a biker’s funeral procession, a friend struggling with faith and addiction, and even the Mackay Bennett—the ship which recovered most of the bodies from the Titanic disaster.
Bird delves deep into the spiritual and examines the creation of art, and the artist. Its backdrops are disparate, ranging from rural Arkansas to the dust clouds of deep space. And its moments of lilt are bolder due to its darker turns.
