The experimental sound of the four-piece powerhouse known as SPREAD has no boundaries. Formed at SIU Carbondale in 2008, the band has been creating energy-filled musical experiences ever since. SPREAD has made many appearances throughout the region, including festivals such as Summer Camp. Combining originally composed material with a mass of spontaneous improvisation, SPREAD hopes to deliver a unique and interactive engagement with its audience.
“Although the members of Stay Golden hail from Texas, Indiana and Illinois, the band have become a force on Chicago’s pop-punk scene, thanks to local shows and gigs with groups such as Fireworks, The Graduate and You, Me, And Everyone We Know. Buoyed by the success of their self-released album, Three Day Weekend – which received plenty of positive feedback after hitting iTunes earlier this year – Stay Golden are already hoping to release a new record in early 2012.” – Alternative Press
A Lancaster, PA native, musician Stephen Paul Smoker began his career at an early age, honing his craft as a touring musician and hired gun. After releasing Violent Sun / Violent Fun, Stephen enlisted musicians Michael Kostal (Guitar), Bethany Smoker (Keys/Vocals/Percussion), Evan DePue (Bass), and Jamie Dull (Drums), to play in his band. Ripe Fruit is the first collaboration involving the full band.
Simply put, Superbig stands out. In a city constantly in search of whatever musical movement is next, the polished, pulsating pop/rock sonic landscape of Superbig married with their mission statement is the result of desperate living, failed relationships and obvious bad life choices. It’s astonishing how fluid and potent their delivery and studio work remains. The band paints a radioready picture that keeps its heart on its sleeve and the hooks coming a mile a minute.
Lead Singer, Guitarist, Jim Fountalas was born and bred in Chicago. As a songwriter and recording artist Jimmy’s objective is to connect his songs with the history behind them and share universal experiences of life and love that connect us all. Producer Chris Steinmetz of Stonecutter Records says “Jim Fountalas has a voice that not only draws you in, but captivates you. His ability to please your ears while he engages you in the lyrics is apparent from the first hypnotic listen. He truly brings his multi faceted background to each performance and leaves one wanting more. He is an elusive wordsmith with the skills and ability to connect emotionally powerful lyrics with colorfully commanding melodic phrases.” Where Jim is the brainchild of Superbig, Drummer Dan Hill, Bassist Chip Znuff, Guitarist and Background Singer Pat Serorsky, and Violinist Heather Boehm lend their talents to create traditional Pop/Rock through a powerfully lush live sound that is unrivaled in the Chicago scene.
Hailing from Indiana, TESTIMONY was formed in late 2009 by drummer Taylor Lambacher who later went on to draft guitarist Michael Gawel, his older brother Derek Lambacher on bass and vocalist Adrian Harris. With their line-up cemented, TESTIMONY set out to create complex, challenging metal music that, while rooted in tradition, has a quality and sound all its own.
With influences that range from musical genres like jazz and funk to legendary metal bands such as Death, Voivod, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth, TESTIMONY combines elements of thrash and progressive metal, yielding a sort of spacey travel through time that rips like any other band from the ‘80s, but has an artistic flair of its own. In January 2012, TESTIMONY released their debut EP, Transcending Reality. The six track album puts a twist on the classic thrash sound that came out of the 1980s with its dazzling and sometimes drawn out technical performances that truly capture the minds of listeners.
Transcending Reality was a hit and almost overnight the name TESTIMONY began to spread like wild fire amongst the legions of underground thrashers around the world. The album’s success opened new doors for TESTIMONY and soon after Transcending Reality was released TESTIMONY went on to share the stage with national acts like D.R.I., Lazarus AD, Vektor and Revocation. While TESTIMONY was enjoying their new found success the band never once lost focus or let things go to their head, instead TESTIMONY remained hungry, diligently taking notes and learning as much as they could from bands that were on the “next level” while constantly looking to improve on every single song, riff, fill and solo.
In late 2013, nearly two years after the release of Transcending Reality, TESTIMONY announced they would be releasing a brand new EP entitled “The Beast That Prays” in 2014. Following the success of Transcending Reality, TESTIMONY is more motivated than ever before and looks to put the progress in progressive with The Beast That Prays by creating an album that is more complex, better thought out, and heavier than its predecessor.
Look for The Beast That Prays to be released on Tuesday, September 16th.
There’s a source in rock ‘n’ roll music, born in Mississippi’s delta, distilled in its hill country and raised on the streets of Chicago’s south side. The way The Black Oil Brothers see it,the blues is the truth, rock ‘n’ roll is the way, and outlaw country is the life.
Deep blues and Americana from the city nestled in its heartland, The Black Oil Brothers utilize everything we can beg, borrow or steal, to create music that let’s your ears know there ain’t a damn thing wrong with the sound of a good soul feeling bad.
Such is the blues. Such is the music of The Black Oil Brothers, turning heartbreak into ass shake in the sincere belief that how we live this life is defined by how hard you shake off its troubles. So turn it up, remember no one is guaranteed a tomorrow and shake ‘em off.
Formed in early 2009, The Black Saints have been preaching the glorious intensity and frenetic power of the most classic elements of rock n’ roll and punk in their own delicious and wicked voice. They unabashedly revel in the sound of guitar-drenched rock revival that defines a new generation of independent music listener.
With just over two years in the scene, this hard rock four-piece has toured all over the Midwest and to the East Coast of the United States, playing over 80 shows in that short time. Their artist debut arrived at Summerfest, the world’s largest outdoor music festival, where they have performed every year since the band’s inception. Their high energy live performance has seen them share the stage with the likes of LA’s Steel Panther, founding member of KISS Ace Frehley, The Last Vegas, Gilby Clarke, John Corabi, Sevendust, Blind Melon, and The Dirty Pearls among other established artists.
Their debut EP, All Sinners Welcome, is a blistering collection of six sleazed-up high energy rockers. The record features their hit single Dead Man Walking and has already gotten airplay in Colombia, Australia, Belgium, Japan, South Africa, Canada, and the USA where the band has been featured by the Hard Rock Nights radio show in its ’15 bands to watch in 2011′ list of up & coming artists.
Things continue to look up for this promising young band of rock n’ rollers as they continue spreading their sound throughout the world through touring, airplay, & word of mouth. With the completion of their second tour of the year behind them, The Black Saints are currently in the studio with legendary Jeff Hamilton recording their third album slated to be released in February 2015.
This is rock music as it was meant to be. This is how The Black Saints do it.
As if the warm familiar melody of rootsy porch music has been plugged in and turned up: The Delta Saints are driving listeners from the comforting recline of their porch swings right to the edge of their seats. It’s a fusion of traditional southern soul and funk-inspired power, all layered with furious harmonica lines that simultaneously tie the group together and threaten to unseat it all in one sweep. It’s the unsettling sound of strength. A strength fueled by talent and bridled by a passion to relate to another that catches the attention of passers-by with its language-like quality. You can hear within it a conversation between five men able to speak to one another through their instruments. The essence of the Midwest and the bayou work together to make a sound unique but befitting of Nashville. And the energy that sweats from this gritty howling dynamic is a message heralding love and loss and consequence. And though the songs may end, the intensity generated from the act of something old made new again will hauntingly remain.
Pitched somewhere between the loose revivalism of Jack White and the groove of Alabama Shakes, Rival Sons possess a chimera-like character: a jazz -trained rhythm section that met at Isaac Hayes’ house, a garage-rock fuzzadelic guitar maestro, and a Blues rooted street singer with the powerful raw delivery of rock and the sensitivity of a Laurel Canyon trip.
Though rooted in the past Rival Sons play with awareness and modernity like they’re calling on inspiration through their roots anew, filtering out more of rock’s overblown past and bringing in call-and-response testaments to truth – In their own words, they “want to give the people the rock and roll they deserve by keeping it honest, visceral, and dangerous”.
Rival Sons’ 2012 3rd album Head Down scuzzy “blues-rock invades Motown’s backbeat to startling effect”, displaying a range of skill from the eerily insightful Jordan to the breathy summer pop stylings of Until The Sun Comes or Wild Animal, and setting the whole thing aflame with the sprawling psychedelic guitar freakout Manifest Destiny Pt.1. All of this emphasizing how American roots music is now grounded in the 60’s notion of blues and soul.
That’s not to say Rival Sons ignore the straight stuff, drummer Miley “channels John Bonham’s brute force &Tommy Lee’s restless energy” much of Head Down is anchored in fuzzy guitars and soul groove spliced from The Small Faces and The Animals – Rival Sons don’t mess about, but they’re not purists, they’re modern – they splice familiar sounds and forms together but mix them up with the secret ingredient of song-writing skill, that balances story-telling with Scott Holiday’s pugnacious guitar and the beauty of Jay Buchanan’s voice in an explosive reminder that “soul is the key”.
Fizzing with freshness, Head Down honours half a century of classic rock with reverence, respect and the realisation that this music’s still happening, right now. – BBC
Introducing the band in the words of singer Jay Buchanan:
“[Bassist] Robin is an accomplished jazz player, and the guy loves Motown and listens to rap a little too much for my liking. [Drummer] Miley also has deep roots in jazz and Latin percussion as well as rock, and he shares the same birthday as Keith Moon. He’ll be the first to tell you that he listens to Steely Dan a little too much for my liking. [Guitarist] Scott is highly influenced by Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, and Keith Richards, and he talks about ninjas and muscle cars a little too much for my liking. I whine and complain into a microphone for a living, and I talk to myself a little too much for my liking.”
Like Jack White or The Black Keys, Rival Sons see the creative process as a snapshot, only spending less than a month in the studio for each album; writing and recording all live under one roof to keep the process raw. The band bear no special allegiance to the didactic needs of retro-rock, their roots are just that, grounding from which they launch using the creative chemistry and the schooling they all possess to create in the moment, capturing a live feel that thrills and delights in often quite unexpected and exciting ways. Witnessing what a band in tune with each other is really like and knowing that what you hear on record as a 1st or 2nd take still comes second to the electric performance you will see on stage.
ROTTEN SOUND are celebrating their 20th anniversary of Grindcore and chaos during the whole year of 2013. This crushing party begins with the release of the “Species at War” EP in January. Afterwards the wrecking will continue with many tours and festival performances all around the globe. 2013 promises to become the most intense year in the two decades of ROTTEN SOUND’s existence: “Our plans are huge and we are aware that some events may not happen, but we are working very hard to bring our music to the ears of as many people as possible”, states frontman Keijo Niinimaa, after returning from the honourable position of lead guest singer at the “NASUM Farewell Tour” in 2012. “We will visit some new places, while continuing to bomb those we have been playing in since the very beginning of the band. We are also determined to arrange one hell of a party before the end of 2013 to celebrate our 20 years of existence.”
ROTTEN SOUND’s opening assault “Species at War” contains 6 brand new tracks, which are attached to each other in order to create one insane ride through aggression and despair with a few heavier passages sprinkled in. Where “Cursed” (2011) went through the curses of humanity, “Species at War” deals with the evil consequences of wars caused by religions and cultures. “We felt that ‘Cursed’ needed a closing chapter both musically and lyrically”, continues Niinimaa. “Therefore we decided to take everything a step further in terms of chaos and heaviness. All lyrics were written during a weekend last summer and I ended up recording them the very next week, when everything was still fresh in my mind. That paid off, because it feels as if this whole release is lyrically just one epic song.
Musically ROTTEN SOUND mercilessly attack, delivering the sonic equivalent of an apocalyptic battlefield with their seventh EP “Species at War”. True to the tradition of classic Grindcore, this stunning inferno is presented in 8:05 minutes. Yet the Finns make every second count. This brutal mind-blowing onslaught of downtuned guitar and bass smashes all resistance. A fierce barrage from the drums pushes relentlessly forward and the vocal growls roll like thunder over the shell shocked ground. Then again ROTTEN SOUND deliver more than just a musical illustration of the horrors of war. A dark but warm streak runs though their Grindcore onslaught enhanced by Death Metal precision, which expresses such unexpected emotions like melancholy, longing and passion. This might serve to explain together with their outstanding technical abilities, why a band with such extreme intensity hits the charts in their native Finland with each release since the mid-2000s.
ROTTEN SOUND were formed on one insane night of July 1993, during the aftermath of a VOMITURITION studio session. The band recorded a bunch of EP’s and splits before they released their first two full-lengths, “Under Pressure” (1997) and “Drain” (1998). After the “Still Psycho” MCD (2000), which was also their first proper release in North America, the Finns started to tour more actively. This took the band to a higher level and when “Murderworks” was released in 2005, media and public recognized and praised the massive new force in Scandinavian Grind. Following this success, ROTTEN SOUND’s sound evolved on “Exit” (2005), the “Consume to Contaminate” MCD (2006) and the “Cycles” album (2008), which added more heavy parts and some of the forgotten Crust elements from their early years. Their latest full-length “Cursed” shook the world on impact in 2011.
Playing live has always been a high priority for ROTTEN SOUND and their journeys led them to share stages with CARCASS, EXHUMED, VICTIMS, DISFEAR, PHOBIA, MISERY INDEX, NASUM, PIG DESTROYER, NAPALM DEATH, DOOM and many other leading bands of the extreme music scene, which they shaped in union with the Finns. Now 2013 will be more than just another year for shaking the foundations of live venues and assaulting people with deadly Grindcore. ROTTEN SOUND are also planning to re-enter the studio in order to record their next album straight after the extensive touring is done. Yet first it’s time to get on the road and to have the final anniversary party heralded by “Species at War”. “Keep your eyes peeled, follow the news and join the Grindcore party in a city near to you!”, finishes Niinimaa. War is here!
ROTTING CHRIST have reached another peak in their long career that now spans over more than three decades. The Greeks have literally stood the test of time. With a steady core line-up and their well-honed live delivery, ROTTING CHRIST are filling concert halls and reap enthusiastic crowd reactions wherever they go. This demonstration of love from their followers is not just driven by nostalgia as the band has managed to evolve and grow, while staying relevant beyond the classics with their highly acclaimed latest albums such as ‘Aealo’ (2010), ‘Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού’ (2013), and ‘Rituals’ (2016).
Now, with the new offering ‘The Heretics’, ROTTING CHRIST are opening a brand new chapter. With confidence and skills derived from experience, each song represents its own sonic universe. Guitarist and vocalist Sakis Tolis in collaboration with his brother Themis on drums achieve a perfect balance of amalgamating their classic and unique style of riffing and rhythm with exciting new elements sprinkled in to keep their material exciting and fresh. The experienced is enhanced by Jens Bogren’s equally clear and transparent yet also massive as well as sombre mix and mastering at his widely renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND, and many more).
Buckle up for a fascinating musical ride through the woes of religious wars, Zoroastrianism and the eternal war between good and evil. Metal at its best!
S. Joel Norman first began playing music at age four at the piano. “Mom probably got sick of me pounding on her antique piano as a toddler, so she put me in lessons,” he says. Hailing from the south suburbs of Chicago, Norman got his musical start playing and composing gospel music in the church. “Some of the guys who played were also working musicians, and after playing a couple Sunday mornings, they asked me to come play on Saturday nights with them. I was only in junior high.”
He went on to study and graduate from Wheaton Conservatory of Music, where he began composing and arranging pieces for orchestra, chorus, and jazz ensemble.
He’s toured worldwide with a variety of artists and played alongside jazz greats Ira Sullivan and Marquis Hill, as well as rock and roll heroes Billy Ozzello (Survivor) and Chip Znuff (Enuff Znuff), and went on the road playing keyboards with Eddie Money. Joel was the resident artist at some of Chicago’s finest venues, including Soho House, The Hoxton, and Tack Room at Thalia Hall, as well as residencies in Manhattan and the Virgin Islands. He’s led worship at the largest RCA church in the world, and scored plays for Arena Theater and The University of Chicago’s Shakespeare program. Produced and performed hundreds of tracks for fellow artists and he is currently writing and recording music for upcoming albums, commercials, film, and television.
Four guys living in the heart of the city of Chicago looking to write some nasty riffs and fuck shit up!!!|
Sioum is an instrumental trio based out of Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2008, the band consists of brothers Dorian Zdrinc (guitar), Arthur Zdrinc (drums) and Kevin Clark (keys). They often draw inspiration from film, video games, and most frequently, emotion itself. Post-metal, as well as progressive influence are often noted, although occasionally, many broad (and unusual) influences, such as contemporary classical and chiptune, can be heard.
Almost six years after Sioum’s debut LP, in May of 2016 the group released their second full-length album Yet Further. It was recorded and engineered by Greg Norman (Russian Circles, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Pelican.) Whereas I Am Mortal was based mainly on fictional stories and imagery, the music of Yet Further serves more as artifacts that reflect and convey the personal tribulation, hopes, and fears experienced after their first album was released. The music maintained a similar cinematic and emotional core, but with more content, variation, and complexity throughout each song. A noticeably more progressive influence could also be heard, with heavier exploration of distortion passages.
Slauter Xstroyes was originally formed in the early 1980’s. Their unique sound and powerful performances have made this band an underground cult legend over the years. In 1985 they released only 500 copies of their debut lp “Winter Kill” in 1985, and if you’re lucky enough to find an original copy, it has been known to be worth almost $1500.00 or more today. Since their separation in 1990, Winter Kill was re-released in the later 90’s through Rockadome records on vinyl and cd along with their 2nd unreleased recording “Free the Beast”. In 2012, this cult metal machine reunited and have since then visited Germany and Greece along with dates in the states. Their current goal in 2014 is to recorded new music and possibly a live version of the 1985 release “Winter Kill” for their 30th anniversary and return to Greece in 2015.
Northside Ruckus is a gun slinging, garage rock trio from Chicago. Whether they are creating a wall of overdriven guitar and break-neck drumming or slow waltzes that tug at your heart strings, their affinity for power chord riffs and honky-tonk licks make these outlaws a must see.
“The “OTIS” disc is stunning. Fine singing, authentically talented harp work, sweet guitar tones… all around enjoyable listening. Done burned it in to the hard drive…!” – Billy F. Gibbons – ZZ Top
Deep in South Central Kentucky authentic music is alive and well through native musicians who are still testifying to brothers and sisters all around the world. Otis has taken in a steady diet of Roots, Blues, and Classic Rock and Roll, and created their own unique sound. Otis draws from the raw electric sounds of Muddy Waters and stirs in a heavy influence of Southern sounds, courtesy of The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, and more.
This sums up what the sound of Otis is musically and gives a glimpse into the sound and soul of the four-piece band. The members of Otis consist of Boone Froggett vocals/guitar, Steve Jewell guitar, John Seeley bass, and Andrew Gilpin drums. The members of Otis share the same vision of writing and creatingorganic music while taking their audience to church by hitting on all emotions. If a stage filled with vintage music gear and Blues flavored Rock and Roll music is something you enjoy, then it’s time to drink from the healing waters of Otis!
The Otis electric Rock N’ Roll revival is coming soon to a town near you!
The sound? Deep driving bass and drums. Silky, sensual vocals backed by raw guitars. Watching them on stage is a “who’s doing what next” visual orgy. Paragon – mixing rock and reggae to provide a new perspective to head bangin’, foot stomping, heart in your throat – this is what I want to hear music. The band generates from Geneva, IL. The musicians; Nate Emetti vocals/guitar, Kiel Tredrea guitar,… Andy Felbab bass, Frank Suda drums play from their souls any venue no matter the crowd, passion and addiction satiates their need and ours to hear a pure genuine new sound. There is something familiar and comfortable, yet you stop to listen to something you swear you have never heard before. Paragon delivers and we want to hear more.
Milwaukee icon Pat McCurdy has been entertaining audiences in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and across the nation for decades. He brings his unique style of improvisational comedy, music and audience interaction to venues large and small. Pat consistently fills up venues and festivals with his fans, known as “Patheads. They are very enthusiastic, and many know every word of his songs. “Patheads” are fans that have seen him dozens of times, singing and dancing along to every song. It’s a fun show for all.
Pat did not let the pandemic slow him down. In March 2020, Pat began his weekly virtual “Shelter in Place” shows from his living room and garage. Fans wrote in requests, birthday greetings, and anniversary acknowledgements to keep the shows interactive. Pat’s Shelter in Place shows have been seen by nearly one million viewers from as far away as Paris, the UK and Australia. The pandemic inspired Pat to write a new song every week. He put these all together in his latest CD, Now is Not the Time for Sad Songs: A Pandemic 2020 Souvenir. The CD hit #1 on the Worldwide Radio Indie Alliance Album of the Year charts.
For fans far and wide, Pat will continue his virtual show once a month until the end of his career. Pat can be seen all over Wisconsin and the Midwest for live shows year around throughout 2021 and beyond. Grab your favorite beverage and have fun with Pat and Sex and Beer!
Pet Robot is a project started by Chris MacCarthy. It is a project that is sometimes a solo act, and sometimes a full rock band, collaborating with other musicians.
The Pet Robot band is a noisy, experimental, hard rock sound.
REIGN INFERNO was formed in early 2010 with the sole purpose of creating the most disastrous music on the planet. Formed by current/former members of Dead For Days, Fleshgrind, Incrypted, and Jungle Rot, the band is now ready to introduce their ferocious, sometimes sardonic, view of the cruel and uncivilized world we live in to the masses. Time to open your eyes people!
Rich Jones is a prolific Chicago artist, community figure, and veteran of the cultural scene. Known for his versatile and evolving style, his new album, The Shoulder You Lean On, firmly plants the hip-hop rooted artist as a powerful songwriter and singer. Jones began in Chicago as part of the group Second City Citizens where he explored his talents as an MC. The group founded a monthly hip-hop showcase in Chicago, now known as All Smiles, that has become a staple in the local scene and has continued for over five years. Through various collaborations with people like Supa Bwe, Taylor Bennett, and The O’My’s, Jones gained praise around the city, eventually being voted second best rapper in the city by the Chicago Reader in 2016, right behind Chance The Rapper. Jones shifted from straight rapping into a more melodic style, culminating in his lush, poppy 2017 release VEGAS. That EP, and several loose singles, prompted appearances in NPR, Chicago Tribune, FOX 32’s Good Day Chicago, and Consequence of Sound.
We took our name from the “Little Giant” Music Store which opened back in 1948 under the name Casa Mendoza, located at 3218 E. 91st St. In the early ’60s, Renee-Mendoza moved to 9121 S. Commercial Ave. And finally “Little GIant” of South Chicago was firmly planted at 9126 S. Commercial Ave. If you were shopping Uptown, you were stopping at “Little Giant.” Mr. Mendoza retired in 1993 after enjoying 45 years of success. We asked permission to use the name to keep the memories of all of us, and all of you, alive!
Little Giant….It’s A South Chicago Thing.
After raising the bar of creativity for emcees everywhere, Chicago native Michael “Lungz” Hicks is doing it again with his newest release, “Dream Killaz”! Hosted by DJ Don Cannon and presented by Ruby Hornet, Fake Shore Drive, The Basement, and LDRS 1354, the project is scheduled to be released on September 13, 2011. After working closely with Cannon for 7 months on its production, it has become evident that this is no average project! Full of difficult cadences and diverse rhyme structures over all-original music, Lungz delivers a project that is in no way predictable!
In a blossoming hip-hop hotbed of talent, Malcolm “Mac Miller” McCormick is next up out of Pittsburgh, PA. A recent graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School, Mac caught the eyes and ears of Rostrum Records, inking a deal in July 2010. A multitalented musician who can play numerous instruments and a young novice of the freestyle/cipher/battle circuit of his hometown, Mac has been paving his way to superstardom in his blue-collar hometown for years.
Born in 1992, Mac taught himself to play piano, drums, guitar, and bass by the age of 6. Then, after learning to compose songs in a variety of musical genres, he began studying the art of rhyme. Influenced by the styles of artists such as Big L, Lauryn Hill, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest, Mac soon developed a reputation for delivering jaw-dropping freestyles in Pittsburgh.
Recording his first songs in the Fall of 2007, Mac went on to form a duo called The Ill Spoken. By 2009, Mac began recording solo records. During this time he released “The Jukebox” and “The High Life” and began to generate a legitimate buzz in the streets and online.
By of July 2010, Mac’s buzz became undeniable. With a handful of offers on the table, the young phenom decided to sign with independent powerhouse Rostrum Records. In August 2010, Mac released his Rostrum Records debut “K.I.D.S.” and took the internet and music industry by storm.
The Source Magazine says “The sky is the limit for this 19 year old Pittsburgh native,” while HipHopDx labeled Mac as “The Steel City’s next superstar.” Mac was featured on the cover of XXL Magazine’s coveted Top Freshman in January 2011. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says “Miller’s skillful rhymes, humorous themes and upbeat demeanor are catching the nation by storm.” Complex Magazine calls Miller “The Steel City’s newest rap posterboy.” while URB Magazine calls Mac “a young emcee who is the real thing.” Mac’s music is also a mainstay on popular hip-hop sites such as Nahright, 2dopeboyz, Rapradar, TheSmokingSection, Allhiphop, and Illroots.
Mac’s greatest strength though could be his ability to shine in front of the camera. Soon after signing to Rostrum, Miller was thrust onto several national radio shows for interviews and impromptu freestyles, which have now become Youtube viral video classics. To coincide with his debut Rostrum free albums “K.I.D.S.” and “Best Day Ever” Mac continued to team up with hometown filmmaker/videographer Rex Arrow Films. Mac’s videos have now surpassed 250 million hits on www.youtube.com/treejtv, including 6 with 15 million plus views a piece. The success of his early street buzz and social media dominance have now transitioned Mac to sold out shows across the world with The Incredibly Dope Tour upstreaming to the internationally sold out Blue Slide Park Tour with almost 200,000 tickets sold in the past year.
The year 2011 also showcased Mac’s selling potential as his debut Rostrum EP, “On and On and Beyond,” sold over 75,000 copies digitally alone. Mac has also sold over 1.5 million singles total with little to no radio airplay. In November of 2011, Mac continued his surge of success by becoming the first independent artist since 1995 to debut atop the Billboard Charts with “Blue Slide Park.” As of January 2012, “Blue Slide Park” had sold almost 250,000 copies. Look for Mac Miller to be the new face of music in 2012 and beyond.