Between melodic synths, wailing guitars, bass trunking percussion and smooth but haunting vocals, Kid Sid manages to craft a sound that is refreshing and unexpected. With inspiration from ‘80s artists like Prince and Tears for Fears, and production value compared to those such as The Weeknd and Frank Ocean, it is unfair to label Kid Sid as just another R&B artist. Instead, Kid Sid’s social awareness and dramatic performance lend to a fusion of indie pop, rock, R&B, and electronica that is sonically simplistic and conceptually complex.
Ed Harris, also known as Edamame, is a Chicago-based DJ and music producer from Winfield, Illinois. In February of 2012 he released his full length album Greenhouse which features a wonderful blend of chillout glitch-hop and the great outdoors.
Spacepop Dreamgaze from New Zealand. Think Casio keyboards, washy guitars and atmospheric synths. The Blueness will be shoegazing across America to release their new album “Ravendah Dream”. Singer John White has played twice before in Chicago as a solo artist and is looking forward to pulling out the stops with his gaggle of blue beings.
The Steakouts are a horn driven ska punk band from Rochester, NY that are looking to make a name for themselves as a fun live band that has something for everyone. Starting in 2009, the Steakouts pull influences from a variety of genres including jazz, punk rock, rock steady, and all forms of ska to produce a fun and exciting brand of original music. The band releases a new EP each year and will be touring the summer of 2012 to promote the latest release “Gather Round For Some Culture.”
Lexington Field is an American Fiddle Rock band from San Diego, CA. Formed in 2009, they have played hundreds of shows and released a 5-song EP The Streets of Dover (2010) and an all-original, full-length album called Old Dirt Road (2011). Joining New Folk Records in October of 2011, Lexington Field has just released their new EP, Poor Troubled Life in March 2012. Lexington Field embraces the best of North American musical elements such as rock, punk, country, and folk and adds a fiddle, tunes of their Irish heritage, and influences from bands such as the Young Dubliners, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, and Great Big Sea. They have combined this unique sound with a high-energy live show, to give their fans an amazing musical experience.
Dear Creek and the Barefoot Wanderers’ popularity is growing quickly. They are a folk/indie band influenced by blues, jazz and rock and fostered by the heart of the Appalachian music tradition. Their live shows are passionate, energetic, sincere and always a blast, complete with diverse instrumentation like a washboard, banjo, mandolin, melodica, the Appalachian dulcimer and three part harmonies. All members of the band are students at Shenandoah University, an established and growing music conservatory on the East Coast. They have received raving reviews from around the country.
The WhiteWall Gentlemen pride themselves in serotonin inducing music and raw, high-energy performances no matter the stage or venue. Initially formed with Eric Irvin, Nick Woodhouse, and Mackenzie Williams, the Gents began fusing their own influences into an eclectic blend of soul, southern rock, blues, and funk. When an opportunity to take over Nashville’s OceanWay studio for one day arose in the Spring of 2010, the Gentlemen sought to lay down the foundation for what may be a future musical faction. They quickly realized that their chemistry, passion, and love for sonic adventures had led them to build a house of feel good tunes. With the addition of Keith Perez’s pocket, thundering bass, the loose jams between friends suited up, shirt and tie, into the The WhiteWall Gentlemen’s sultry blues-rock lifestyle.
The idea that ‘rock is dead’ is almost as old as the genre itself. It might have been a disenchanted music critic who said that or maybe it’s a failing industry that lacks the vision needed to push the genre forward that’s to blame. However, rock music, good rock music, is most certainly alive and well. Opium Symphony counts themselves among a growing population of independent rock bands who are not afraid to employ a little production on their recordings, love big hooks and big drums and wear their “rock” like a gold sheriff’s badge on their chests. They have shared the stage with household names such as Gin Blossoms, Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction and Paul Crook (Anthrax, Meatloaf, Sebastian Bach).
Duwayne Burnside was born in the late sixties in Senatobia, Mississippi and grew up hearing his father, R.L. Burnside, and family, as well as neighbors play music; guitar driven Mississippi hill country blues. Along with his family and neighbors, the radio was another influence on Duwayne’s evolving style. He picked up the guitar before he was old enough to hold it himself. Growing up, he played guitar behind his father, but more so backing local club owner Junior Kimbrough and the Soul Blues Boys. And with Memphis, Tennessee being as close as it was, Duwayne began playing and sitting in with seasoned and well known musicians that frequented town, such as Little Jimmy King, Albert King, B.B. King, Bobby Blue Band, and others. Duwayne BurnsideDuwayne was also playing in R.L. Burnside’s family band Sound Machine Groove, which combined the hill country sound with the soul and R&B that was pouring out of Memphis at the time. Between the two styles and his growing experience, Duwayne became an outstanding rhythm player with the ability to blend with all styles of music and any musician. While playing rhythm Duwayne was also paying attention to all other parts being played, and stepped up to fit in anywhere he was needed whether it was drums, bass or guitar. Duwayne’s leads began to undeniably sound fused with Albert King and the heavy soul feel that came from earlier playing experiences. Duwayne recorded some with his father and the Sound Machine Groove on High Tone and Fat Possum Records before moving to Memphis and opening his own club, Burnside Kitchen and Grill near Highway 61. He booked the shows, cooked the food, sold the beer and played weekly. In 2001, Duwayne sat in with the North Mississippi All Stars for the first time in Birmingham, AL. It was the missing link of sorts. His rhythm and leads were so perfectly played and placed that on could have never known that was his first show with the band. From then on he toured 250 days a year with the band and recorded with the All Stars on their third record Polaris and was also featured on two E.P.’s. In the beginning of 2004, Duwayne felt the need to pull in the reins again and settle back in at home for awhile opening another club, Burnside Blues Cafe, and forming a new band with a few old friends. The result is a heavy continuation of hill country and soul blues fusion that makes you thankful this music is still being made. ..
“Roostersocks were Chicago’s premiere jazz B3 organ combo of the early 60’s, but as rock n roll caught on they found themselves with fewer gigs. Destitute, they hobbled to Guitar Center and purchased sheet music for the likes of the White Stripes, the Dead Kennedys, The Police, Foo Fighters, Boston, Nine Inch Nails and others. However they failed to listen to recordings of these artists….”
D. Bess is a one-man band who loops all his licks live. Born and raised on Oahu, the roots of his Hawaiian upbringing can be heard in his original mix of reggae, ska, blues, folk, hip-hop and dance funk. No pre-recordings, no laptops: just pure D. Funk, recorded and rocked live. Get you some.
“Bess dazzles as a one-man band, writing, playing and singing everything into an ambitious, genre-tripping groove-athon… a shape-shifting hybrid of dub, hip-hop, ska, reggae, funk and classic early ’70s soul.” – No Depression
“D. Bess (as he’’s known on stage) creates his unique tunes from the ground up as he builds the music on itself tier by tier using a stage’s worth of pedals and instruments. The labor-intensive results set an emotive backdrop for high times, low times and the unyielding roller coaster in between, creating positive pieces of poetry and winding loops for the listener to dissect.” – Flagstaff LIVE
Ed Anderson and Scott Tipping have been making music and mayhem together since the late ’90s, when they hosted an open mic featuring drunken jazz artists, angry poets and puppeteers. Ed moved on to found roots rock trio Backyard Tire Fire in 2001. Through the 2000s, the band toured relentlessly, recording 5 albums and 2 EPs. Scott went on to become a mainstay of the Chicago music scene, playing and touring with bands like Mighty Blue Kings, Peter Himmelman, The Steak House Mints and Dayna Malow. Their paths crossed again in 2008 when Ed asked Scott to join Backyard Tire Fire on tour to round out the band’s sound. BTF’s album Good To Be, produced by Steve Berlin, saw them touring the country, headlining shows and opening for the likes of Los Lobos, Buddy Guy, ZZ Top and Cracker. In back alleys, dank hotel rooms and a van that at least once tried to kill its masters, a new music partnership was formed, and when Backyard Tire Fire decided to take a break from touring, Scott and Ed chose to bring together some of their favorite Chicago musicians to work on new songs: Steve Gillis (drums), Scott Stevenson (keys and vocals) and Matt Thompson (bass). The new project features songs by both Ed and Scott, staying true to the rock-and-roll tradition of BTF while transitioning into a more dynamic, harmony-oriented sound.
Alex Robert Felten was born from the mud and the clay in the not-so-distant future province of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The singer/songwriter grew out of the indie/ alt-rock outfit known as REPLICA REPUBLIC where he did wield a fire-red telecaster and contributed in the song writing process. As REPLICA REPUBLIC dissolved in 2010 Felten was forced to forge his own path. Today, with guitar in hand a head full of original tunes he is conquering the Mid-West one city at a time. Felten’s music is derived from americana, folk, country and blues, writing in the style of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Robert Earl Keen, Bruce Springsteen and Ryan Bingham. When absent from the stage Felten enjoys older women, imported cigarettes, aged whiskey and sleepwalking.
The Gated Community is dedicated to pursuing the ideals of the American dream, as expressed and embodied in the form of country music. Liberation for the people, and their pets.
GIN PALACE JESTERS
“Chicago’s original honky-tonk fools,” the Gin Palace Jesters are purveyors of the finest in hard hitting hillbilly Honky-tonk, Country Boogie and Western Swing . Infused with a deep and sincere fondness for all traditional American musical styles, the sound of the Gin Palace Jesters could best be described as being akin to the sounds of Country Music’s “Golden” age. Although a portion of their live performances come from their vast catalog of the Hillbilly & Country Hit Parade, these boys are not mere followers or imitators. They also posses the talent of 3 songwriters performing original novelty numbers, heartfelt love songs, honky-tonk weepers, drinking songs and dark ballads. Delivering 3 and 4 part country harmony, the Gin Palace Jesters prove that authentic country and cowboy music can still hold validity in both traditional songs as well as brand new originals. The Gin Palace Jesters are a true authentic American band often seen holding court where the thrones are bar stools, the lights are made of neon, the holy spirits are served on the rocks, and Hank Williams is King.
LUCKY TUBB AND THE MODERN DAY TROUBADOURS “If Ernest Tubb is the King of Honky Tonk music, then Lucky Tubb is surely the Prince” Choosing to carry out the legacy of his great-uncle, Lucky’s style is reminiscent to the raw and original country style of the earliest Nashville artists. Before music row forgot their heritage. Lucky Tubbs album “Generations” was recorded in January of 2003, after a devastating Christmas Eve house fire burned away all of his belongings. Through generous donations, he was able to re-establish equipment and love from the music community. He carried on. Never breaking stride and never retreating, Lucky has moved up the ranks of the Texas music scene. Starting out playing coffee shops for tips with only a snare drummer, to opening for country music cornerstones such as ET’s old pal Ray Price and country superstar Dwight Yoakum. Lucky wears his life experiences like a well-tailored suit with the sleeves ripped off. In the early days, despite poor management, heavy drinking, and quick temper (alongside many acclaimed honky-tonkers and country legends), he has grown to realize the responsibilities bestowed to him through heritage. Bottom line, Lucky Tubb is the real deal. People will always like good honky-tonk music, and will for generations to come.
Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist Joseph Huber is a founding member of, and also had spent 6 years of playing banjo and heavy touring with the Milwaukee, WI based “streetgrass” group, the .357 String Band–a group that, despite it’s abrupt break-up, still continues to gain popularity, is known as one of the most influential groups in the recent insurgent underground country and bluegrass movements. Hard living put together with plenty of downtime has offered more than enough motivation and opportunity for his songwriting, and Huber has continued moving onward and upward captivating folks with his sincere and well crafted songs.
“Bury Me Where I Fall”, Huber’s introductory solo album was an unseen side to his writing–less high-octane and blistering as his known work, “Bury Me…” reveals multiple, new landscapes, ranging anywhere from desolate, world-weary ones; to brooding and ominous ones. His 2nd release “Tongues of Fire” is much the flip-side to that–joyful, light-hearted, and laughing even in the face of hard times. Being a multi-instrumentalist, Huber performs all the tracks on his records on his own…fiddle, banjo, guitar, harmonica, percussion, and bass. Huber can be seen playing with a backup band, or also opting for a “one-man-band” setup–singing and playing banjo/guitar/harmonica and opting for a trusty ol’ Samsonite suitcase as a kick-drum. In his solo career he has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with many great performers including Hellbound Glory, Bob Wayne, Graham Lindsey, Robert Earl Keen, Keller Williams, and more.
His lyricism and introspective writing style has received high acclaim from many Americana enthusiast looking for a more substantive substitute to much of today’s modern country. Maintaining a solid touring schedule, playing all throughout both the U.S. and all around Europe, he has steadily gained ground and gotten much positive press, and has shown himself a sincere and influential member of the growing roots movement. Huber has a planned release of his 3rd solo album ‘The Hanging Road’ featuring 10 new tracks, which will be available on Nashville’s ‘Muddy Roots Recordings’ in Spring 2014.
Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks is a project by Lonesome Wyatt of “Those Poor Bastards,” which has a rather dark sort of folk sound. Lonesome Wyatt lived a mostly reclusive existence in the Wisconsin countryside during his formative years, which developed into an intense imagination and a constant feeling he was an outsider. Compelled by unknown forces to create music, he began recording songs in his parent’s basement and credited them as Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks. With references ranging from Nick Drake to Rozz Williams, these primitive songs remained unheard. Somewhere along the way, Wyatt met a similar-minded misanthrope who called himself The Minister. Fueled by their shared hopeless view of humanity, the duo became legally certified holiness preachers and began to create music together as Those Poor Bastards. They melded many influences, including a love of pre 1960’s country music, classic horror films, and a rudimentary grasp of instrumentation. Their first album, Country Bullshit, may too have been relegated to obscurity if it wasn’t for a small but significant act. On a whim, Wyatt gave a copy of the EP to Hank Williams III after a show, and so taken was Hank by their efforts that he began to play their song “Pills I Took” live, and released a version of it on his record “Straight to Hell.” That support burgeoned a devoted following and 5 full-length albums and a handful of EPs later they continue to spread the doom.
Panic Years is an indie alt-rock band from Philadelphia, PA. Their past two EP’s (Panic Years (2009) & Finally Today Is Tomorrow (2010)) have received critical acclaim as well as radio play on over 200 stations nationwide, charting #1 in over 30 markets. 2011 saw Panic Years share the stage with acts such as Naked and Famous, Airborne Toxic Event, Mae, Terrible Things, Jenny Owen Young, and Atomic Tom among others. Currently the band has recently completed recording their new self titled full length record, The Month’s Mind, due Spring 2012. Panic Years will performing select dates along the east coast after the new year, and will be on a full nationwide tour next spring in support of their new album.
The Mason Burrow Sound came together from four students at Loyola University Chicago with a shared love of music. The four students put together a sound that derives from much experimentation, arranging, and discovery of different musical identities within each song. They currently play shows around the city and are always preparing new material.
We are a 3 piece band from Chicago. We play punk with a slight country twang on it. We just recently recorded a 7″ EP that we are looking to release in the near future. We’re all about having fun and enjoying the music we play!
MALCOLM LONDON, called the Gil-Scott Heron of this generation by Cornel West, is an internationally recognized Chicago poet, activist & educator. A member of the Young Adult Council of the prestigious Steppenwolf Theater, London brings vim & vigor to his energetic performances tackling tough contemporary issues head-on. He has appeared on PBS for the first ever televised TED Talk with John Legend & Bill Gates & has shared stages with actor Matt Damon & rapper Lupe Fiasco as a part of the The People Speak, Live! cast. He also appears on Season 2 of TVOne’s Verses & Flow.
In 2011, Malcolm London won the Louder Than A Bomb youth poetry slam in his native Chicago, scooping the top award as both individual performer & with a team. The poet, performer & activist recently wrote & directed a spoken word infused play responding to the Zimmerman verdict called Two Years Later at the Goodman Theatre with an ensemble of five youth poets. Malcolm’s work has been featured on national outlets including CBS, NPR, Huffington Post, The Root, and the Chicago Tribune. Only 21 but he has wielded a dynamic spirit for speaking engagements utilizing his feisty & passionate performances as words of encourage for next generations to tell their stories.
London attends University of Illinois at Chicago & is a member & co-chair of BYP100 Chicago Chapter, a national organization of black activists & organizers. Deeply interested in working on ways to improve the national education system, London regularly visits high schools, youth jails, colleges & communities to work with students on writing workshops and performances. London is currently devoted to being a youth advocate & coordinator of The Know Your Rights Project out of Northwestern Law School, a project dedicated to educating young people on their rights within the juvenile justice system, & continuing his work as teaching artist on staff at Young Chicago Authors, a program working to transform the lives of young people by cultivating their voices through writing, publication and performance education.
Carolina Still is an acoustic band with a new sound and an old-time feel. They will take you down on the farm, out into the tobacco fields, and down a dirt road with a trunk full of ‘shine; you never know where they might take you. One thing’s for sure, you will be schooled in southern American culture after listening to their music. They blend musical styles such as old-time, bluegrass, country, blues, rockabilly, punk, and many more. Their sound is deeply rooted in traditional music but is delivered with a more progressive edge and a great amount of energy.
In early 2003, Danny Kay and Johnny “Lawless” Ray Carroll formed the band in Johnny’s basement playing a few original and a lot of rockabilly and traditional country covers. While Johnny continued to learn how to play the upright bass, Danny honed his skills as a song writer. After a few months of practice, they played a few shows as a duo and occasionally had a few people sit in as a lead guitarist. At a local open mic show, friend and musician, Jimmy Swope, sat in with Danny and Johnny and blew the roof off the place. Right then and there, they new they had something special.
Plunging into Jupiter’s deep and increasingly dense atmosphere, the on-board Galileo electrical power supply a set of 144 plutonium-238 fuel pellets would ultimately implode; that the plutonium Galileo carried would ultimately collapse in upon itself under the enormous pressures of Jupiter’s overwhelming atmosphere.
Triggering a runaway nuclear explosion…and igniting Jupiter as the solar system’s second sun.
Singer at Large and recording artist Johnny J. Blair is known for his innovative brand of “pop music with a twist,” a fast-paced mix of old school soul/rhythm and blues, psychedelia, punk/new wave, and a melodicism breathed by classical, gospel, jazz, and world beat. Goldmine Magazine said his music is “pop music with a conscience,” while Spotlight Magazine dubbed Blair “the Harry Houdini of rock and roll” for his ongoing “escape from typecasts.” Urban humor, romantic abstraction, and bittersweet spirituality are images in Blair’s lyrics. His vocabulary is influenced by the Bible, classic comedy (Charlie Chaplin, Marx Brothers), film noir, the poetry of T.S. Eliot, and the writings of Raymond Chandler, Graham Greene, and John Steinbeck. Common song subjects are metropolitan allegories (“She’s Not Some Animal”), apocalyptic justice (“Throw the First Stone”), surreal road trips (“Desert Ruby”), and nutty nostalgia (“I Wanna Bein Pennsylvania”). As a solo act, Blair performs with “a vivid energy.”
The Dropsteppers formed in January of 2010 from members of Doug Otto & The Getaways and The Poor Nobodys. The band consists of members Albert Perez on guitar, Paul Perez on percussion/vocals, Eric Struve on bass, Doug Otto on keys/vocals, Chris Gray on drums/vocals and Tom McDowall on lead vocals/guitar. Our genre of music blends Jamaican early reggae (1969-72), Jamaican rocksteady (1966-1968) and American Soul. 90% of our music is original!
Drawing influences from Punk, Ska, Reggae, and Rock Break the Cycle has created their own brand of soulful genre bending music that is just simply put Break The Cycle.
The Tzvi Lichtenstein Trio’s performance plays well in a wide variety of venues. They have played intimate low-volume wine bars, Websters and Blue Star Bistro; have experience with sound reinforced outdoor festivals; and have individually played rooms as large as Cabaret Metro and Park West. Their music is melodic and contemporary, exploring the spaces between Americana and jazz. The Tzvi Lichtenstein Trio welcome inquiries from discriminating corporate and private event planners. email: tzvi@tzvimusic.com | website: www.tzvimusic.com/trio or click on the link below. Tzvi’s own music is a modern take on the jazz idiom including in.uences from American musical sources, some standard jazz repertoire, as well as blues and some rock elements. Having recently come off of 2 years touring with the Fareed Haque Group almost exclusively, Tzvi is again leading his own trio playing many new compositions. Currently in the studio recording the upcoming CD “For Simplicity’s Sake”
Born and raised in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood DJ Sound Culture has always had a great affinity for world cultures and deep music. His passion for both has to a large extent laid the path in front of him for most of his life. In the dj booth DJ Sound Culture is somewhat of an ethno-musicologist or rhythmic cultural chemist of sorts, exploring the world’s sounds and finding the threads that tie us all together globally. From Bhangra to Balkan Beat, African Soukous to Latin House, he knows how to navigate your auditory senses. His live mixes are both dynamic and cohesive, whether you’re a world music enthusiast or dance floor regular, he keeps things interesting and moving smoothly.
EMEFE has only one intention: to play music that frees everybody in the audience, everybody listening at home, and everybody in the band. The band was created by drummer Miles Arntzen in 2009 to explore and share the afrobeat music pioneered in the 1970’s and 80’s by Fela Anikulapo Kuti and carried on today by Antibalas. In the same way that Fela used afrobeat music as a confrontation against corrupt politics, EMEFE uses its music to fight the inner authorities that we put on ourselves, each for our own specific reasons. EMEFE draws heavy influence from the funk music of Sly Stone, James Brown and Earth Wind and Fire, as well as hip hop and neo-soul influences. Mixed with a rock and roll edge, the powerful and exciting EMEFE sound never fails to get audiences jumping. EMEFE hopes to spread awareness of the healing power of music, dancing and smiling, which explains their reputation as one of the most exciting and engaging live bands in New York. EMEFE consists of a drummer, a bassist, 2 guitarists, a keyboardist, two percussionists, and a 4-piece horn section.
Members of EMEFE have played with and studied with artists such as Antibalas, Sharon Jones & the Dapkings, Soulive, Charles Bradley, Menahan Street Band, TV on the Radio, Tower of Power, Medeski Martin and Wood, and many more. EMEFE – it’s the way!
Occidental Gypsy pioneers the sound of Gypsy Pop. Their mélange of high-energy Gypsy rhythms and catchy melodic Pop hooks deliver a thrilling auditory experience. Perhaps this is why they decided to gypsify Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on their debut album, Over Here. Released in February 2011, Over Here has quickly garnered critical acclaim. Motif Magazine wrote, “listeners will surely be all-in with Occidental Gypsy’s Over Here,” and defined the band as “a terrific and unpretentious fab four”. Playing from 8-9:45pm
Armed with electric guitars, swooning vocals, and songs that split the difference between rock & roll and dreamy psychedelia, Angela Perley & the Howlin’ Moons pack the biggest punch of their career with Homemade Vision.
Like the band’s debut, Hey Kid — an album whose kickoff track, “Athens,” earned Perley an International Songwriting Award in 2014 — Homemade Vision was recorded in the Howlin’ Moons’ hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Many of the songs were dreamt up somewhere along the highways and backroads that crisscross America, though, coaxed into life by a group of roots-rock road warriors who regularly play more than 100 shows a year. As a result, Homemade Vision is the sort of wide-ranging record that creates its own geography, building an imaginary place where the influences of David Gilmour, Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, and Nebula all intersect.
It’s also the work of a genuine band. Chris Connor’s guitar playing — a flurry of fuzz, crunch, twang and bang — occupies just as large a role as Perley’s voice, while Billy Zehnal’s bass — coupled with cymbal crashes and snare hits from an arsenal of heavy-hitting drummers — glues the mix together. Inspired by love, heartbreak, and everything in between, Homemade Vision is a battle cry from a band that’s spent years fighting the good fight, carving out their own brand of atmospheric, aggressive Americana along the way.
Orchestral indie rockers Paper Thick Walls began on a green carpet with an acoustic guitar, piano, and a few stories crafted into melodies. The songwriting talents of Eric Michaels and Kate Schell create a truly genre defying sound that “is a sweet miss-mash of influences from Wilco to Sufjan Stevens,” with “a bit of Cursive’s dramatics and a dash of the boldness found in bands such as Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire.” (Loud Loop Press). The past two years have combined the talents of band members Jacques Rene, Roger Sherman, and Andrew Sabo to add lush orchestral instrumentation behind the profound lyrical imagery.
Following the successful press reception of Paper Thick Walls freshman album, “A Thousand Novels”, the band spent the year touring over 50 cities in the US and Canada to move more than a thousand records with their own hands, playing with touring bands such as The Lumineers, Company of Thieves, Drive by Truckers, Joe Pug, and Smoking Popes.
With such an infectious live show, it’s not hard to see why Paper Thick Walls have been named one of the top five emerging artists from Chicago by The Deli Chicago and Chicago Magazine. The band’s 2011 debut record “A Thousand Novels” claimed numerous “Best of 2011” lists and over 150 positive reviews. The band played key music festivals including NXNE, CMJ, Mid-Point Music Festival, and Summer Fest.
This year, the band is set to release a new EP that will showcase five new songs that further utilize the many instruments in the five piece group to further explore what TimeOut Chicago calls their, “anthemic folk rock”sound.
In addition to the rigorous touring schedule of 2012, lead members Eric Michaels and Kate Schell performed the principal roles in a full-length feature film premiering in 2013 entitled,WE GREW UP HERE The film, directed by Kevin Pickman and produced by 15 in the Dark Collab, will also feature a soundtrack composed and performed by Eric
and Kate.
Part man part wheel, Delaney Davidson is part wandering minstrel, part travelling salesman. One hand holds a small brown suitcase, his trade, his ghost orchestra, the other holds his guitar. One foot firmly in the Blues Trash corner of the ring, the other on the road, you could say Delaney sees music as he sees geography, and that although he has certain preferences, in fact all territories are up for grabs.
Fans of singer/songwriter and one man band Possessed By Paul James my be surprised to find out that playing music is not his only passion. Though he somehow finds the time to make appearances all over the US and Europe throughout the year, down in the Texas Hill Country he’s in charge of an elementary school special education classroom, teaching children with intellectual disabilities. And you may think that with juggling so many responsibilities between music and work that he wouldn’t have the energy or the time to excel at either one. But Possessed by Paul James is not your average musician, or teacher. – Saving Country Music
WWMR comes from the heartland of America, otherwise known as Missouri. Bringing their own brand of blues/rock, it is a show that you will not soon forget
THE MISSION: Spending six homeless months in rural Asia gives a man a lot to think about. Brett Newski wandered Bangkok to Hong Kong to the Philippines and everywhere in between before moving to Saigon, Vietnam on a whim. Here Brett Newski & the Corruption was formed with drummer Mean Matt Green (Great Britain), & bassist Jeffro Gantner (Saskatoon, Canada). The band remains based in Saigon, but tours internationally whenever humanly possible.
Mama’s Love Child is a trio composed of Mr. Dan Turner, Shawn Tuthill, and Monroe Stinson. Dan and Shawn started the group in June of 2010 and Monroe joined in spring of 2011. MLC is known for its acoustic blues and upbeat rhythm. Dan Turner is known for his smooth, soulful voice while he lays it out on the acoustic guitar. Shawn keeps the groove lock in with playing the djembe, bongos, and sometimes throws out a whistle or two. Mr. Monroe lays down the bass flawlessly and keeps the groove sexy…
BAD SNEAKERS ORCHESTRA will be playing Steely Dan’s GAUCHO front to back, LIVE~!
Stevie Robinson-Lead Vocals
Paul Martin-Bass, Musical Director
Pat Fleming-Guitars
Neal Alger-Guitars
Kent Wehman-Keyboards
John Erickson-Keyboards
Neal Wehman-Drums
Scott Burns-Tenor/Alto Sax
Tim McNamara-Bari/Tenor Sax
Michael McLaughlin-Trumpet
John Mose-Trombone
Pam Bradley-Background Vocals
Sandy Caulfield-Background Vocals
Maggie Bynum-Background Vocals
The Mark Lavengood Steel Guitar Ensemble focuses on original music steeped in tradition and repertoire from the 40’s and 50’s, the heyday of the non-pedal steel guitar. The musical soundscape is set by the straight steel guitar, vibraphones, electric guitar, mandolin, solid vocals upright bass, and trap set. From Santo & Johnny tunes to Leon McAuliffe mixed with some blues and western swing, the Mark Lavengood Steel Guitar Ensemble is a crowd pleaser for all audiences!
Born of a mutual appreciation for jazz, country, good bourbon, & black coffee, Labors’ songs owe just as much to Chet Baker as they do Hank Williams. Labors’ brand of sad-bastard music is Midwestern to the core. The Chicago-based quartet started out as an outlet for the songs of Kansas City native Zechariah Melton. After relocating to Chicago he was joined by bassist Jacob Hand, drummer Addison Ashbaugh, and guitarist Alexis Dionissopoulos.
