Midwest reggae rockers Jon Wayne and The Pain have been carving a sizable niche in the reggae-rock genre. Their 2010 sophomore release “Follow Through” builds upon the success of the group’s self-titled 2008 debut album, once again showcasing their unique mix of reggae, rock, and dub that fans can’t get enough of. Reliably packing dance floors, the perpetually touring act has really evolved in the past year on the road. Their sound continues to morph with their live Dub-Step experimentation and high energy renditions of their original and catchy recorded tracks.
Doctor Ed & Friends is a band that falls into reggae, funk, and sometimes, more often than not, topples into psychedelic rock. Confused yet? Don’t be. This band established in 2004 has experienced transitions from its ska-punk beginnings to the funk rhythms and heavy rock jams that cultivate its progression. A long history and connection between these musicians brings an original style molded over the years and yields a tight performance that is almost effortless between these musicians. As a nine-piece band that rolls on funky bass-lines and toppling horn melodies, the troop of musicians create an ecstatic atmosphere of durty funk that gets you on your feet with heavy rock settling down on sweet reggae music. The band has a deep love and connection to all of our wonderful friends and fans that make every show such an amazing experience, always. We invite all to come out and dance, laugh, live, and love among our raging community growing to define the rhythm of support in the music scene. We love what we’re doing and welcome everyone to be a part in it!
Ifdakar’s pursuit of musical growth and experimental improvisation create an experience not to be forgotten. Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, this five piece band has garnered recognition for their live performances, where the band channels elements of psychedelic rock, funk, jazz, and electronica. The result is a mind bending, dance infused, pedal to the metal sound that it is unmistakably their own.
Special Guest Performance by singer/songwriter Allison Orobia- This Chicago performer will showcase her original music including a song co-written by Robby Celestin.
Tilford writes and performs original honky-tonk, Americana, roots and traditional country music. His sound harkens back to the style of Buck Owens, Johnny Horton and Ernest Tubb. The music of Tilford Sellers & The Wagon Burners is a blend of country, blues, rock & traditional country music, and includes barroom anthems, country ballads, and lots of toe-tapping feel-good honky-tonk dance tunes.
Adam Lee’s first solo release, ‘Sincerely, Me’, turned traditionalism on its head. In support of the album he completed a second European tour and played shows with Dave Alvin, Lucero, and Frank Turner. He also dug deeper into his own roots: from Springsteen and Petty to the indie and punk rock records he grew up on.
Using organic blends of mountain music, blues and down-home country, Colonel Buster’s 3piece Dinner cooks up a hearty meal that anyone can enjoy. Drawing from traditional recipes passed on through the musical ancestors from the 20s, 30s, 40s & 50s, these dishes may range from a spicey ragtime number to a juicy blues tune, or a traditional irish tune to a zesty train song medley. Always served with a side of peppery bluegrass and a drizzle of rockabilly so your ears should not go away hungry.
GUTTERBILLY BOYS
Four miserable lonely souls decided to get away from shitty music and go back to basics. Two guitars, a stand up bass, a blazing banjo/mandolin, harmonica and a heart full of sorrow.
Using guitars modified with drum triggers, keyboards, as well as live drums that he plays while he strums his six string and sings, it’s an unorthodox method but a sight to see. With a sound that takes a kitchen sink approach to composition without sounding jarring, he used all of his experience as a songwriter in his other bands.
Cayex Illah started his music career as an Ill State Assassin (a legendary Chicago based hip hop crew) and started his music production career at Creator’s Way Associated Labels (CWAL) in 1997 as an Assistant / Producer / Engineer to the Legendary Traxster, who brought you Do or Die’s platinum selling single “Po Pimp and Twista’s Gold selling album Adrenaline Rush. During Cayex’s time assisting Traxster he became very skillful at audio engineering and music production, ranking him easily as one of Chicago’s premiere producers and go to guys if you’re looking for industry ready material. Cayex is a very versatile music producer able to achieve any sound ranging from Hip Hop, R&B to Pop. In 1999 Cayex and Toxic (another ill State Assassin and producer for CWAL at the time) decided to leave CWAL to form China White Music and open their own recording studio in downtown Chicago. Soon after hearing that Toxic and Cayex were no longer at CWAL, Twista quickly approached them and immediately they became in house producers for Twista’s then new label Legit Ballin’ Records, putting out 3 releases under Legit Ballin’ Records that sold over 250,000 units each independently. In 2003 financially unhappy and realizing there was no more room for growth Cayex decided to leave China White Music and Twista’s Legit Ballin Records.Cayex is currently operating his own music production company and recording studio known as Cayex Illah Music /CIM Studios in Chicago. Some of Cayex Illah’s current works are AK Billionaire of Do or Die’s “Burnin’Rubber” & “We gettin’money”, Parkay’s “Blinded by the light” (3 Kings Mixtape), Bump J’s “I can handle it” (Dinner time Mixtape), Twista presents GMG who’s got next…, Cayex Illah “Nothin’but profit”, Cayex Illah “Rise 2 Power” (album comin’ soon), Taylor Boyz “We what the city’s been missin” (Mixtape). Cayex has produced and worked with such artists and labels as: Twista (Platinum), Do or Die (Platinum), Speedknot Mobstaz, Bun B of UGK (Platinum), Fiend (Platinum), Lil Flip (Platinum), Bump J, PHLI, DJ Sean Mac (SHADYVILLE), Parkay, Nikki Nikita, Sincere, YB Music Group, Mick Luter, Amilcar, Chella H, Mastah Killah of The Wu Tang Clan, M80 of Almighty, Payola Inc., The Rocketeers, Nick n Beans, Jay J & The Braindead Noodle Knockers, Fakeshoredrive, Big Law, Yung Berg, Aris Bo, Gemstones, Dutch Schultz, Dee Brown, Renaissance, Money Hungree Ent., 80’s Baby Ent., Skip Lava, Troy Real/The Real Label, Oobie, Petey Pablo (Gold), Mikkey Halsted, Psychodrama, Cap 1, Johnny P, Bennie Franks, Felony of Public Announcement (Platinum), Chilla Chief Snypa, Bo Deal (5X 106 & Park Freestyle Friday Champion), Belo of DOD, Rap a lot Records, Asylum, The Legion Records and many more.
GEMSTONES
SUBSTANCE
Substance, sub’ stas; noun. Essence; that of which things consists; the most important part; material of a certain kind
DAT BIZNESS, the name speaks for itself. Raised on the South Eastside of Chicago in the Germano Millgate apartments he has expressed an undying passion for his “hood”. Music has always “boiled” in his blood; he started playing the saxophone at the age of 11. After conquering the the intuitive stages of instrumentation, he began blessing the microphone at the age of 13, and not long after that he polished rhymes, delivery, and razor sharp punchlines and became a monster lyrically at 21, and now you have Dat Bizness.
ILL GORDON, best known for his rough delivery and clever metaphors, he has taken pride in lyrical prowess and always expressed creativity over gimmicks. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, ILL was musically inclined since the age of 3 when he commenced to play the drums. Labeled as a late bloomer amongst his peers, ILL didn’t start to focus on rap until the age of 18. Out of the trenches, he became known for his fierce raps and keen punchlines.
In 2007, ILL GORDON and DAT BIZNESS rigorously worked on music together and couldn’t neglect the undeniable chemistry they shared. The more songs they completed together the more their chemistry became stronger and noticeable to anyone who heard their material. After so many features on each others projects the level on inevitability to make this an official hip hop duo was undeniable.
In 2008 they made the union official and became SUBSTANCE. They hit the ground running releasing their first mix tape “Raw Substance” Hosted by Dj Shaun T. During this time they developed buzz worthy notoriety through performances through out the Midwest at venues such as The Abbey (Chicago), B.B. Kings (Nashville,Tn), Adrianna’s (Chicago), African Festival of Arts(Chicago), Shadow Lounge (Pittsburgh, Pa) etc.They also received the award of best local hip hop group at the “Midwest Rappers Ball” at the Regal Theater. By 2010, they established a respectable following and then released the now critically acclaimed mixtape “Substance Muzik”. This mixtape received placements on influential blogsites such as Kevinnottingham.com, Chicagonow.com. They also completed three videos off of “Substance Muzik”, “All I Need” , “Cufflinks”, and “Fresh out the Oven” which all can be found on youtube.On July 23rd 2011, they released their “Substance Abuse” mixtape, which is the final installment of their “Substance Series” mixtapes. Its has received placements on influential sites such as Chicityhiphop.net, illisoulife.com, fakeshoredrive.com and Gowherehiphop.com. This mixtape has features and production from Add-2, Gemstones, Thaione Davis, All Purpose Beatz and Reg Vador. They have also completed their first three videos off of “Substance Abuse”, “Str8 Coasting”, “Bravo” and “Barz of Opera” which all can be found on youtube. During this time Substance continued to perform locally and regionally at venues such as “The Mayne Stage” (1st and only Hip Hop group to do so) (Chicago), “The Brass Rail” (Peoria, Illinois), “Cause Sound bar” (Minneapolis, MN), etc. Riding off the success of the “Substance Series” mixtapes, Substance developed a organic momentum that led into 2012. March 2012 Substance received a placement to perform at the Red Gorilla/SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, Invited to attend Rhymesayers “Soundset Festival”, and first performance at the ‘A3C Festival”! (Kevinnottigham Underground Express Stage) Substance also released their fourth mixtape “Contra Mixtape” on August 1st 2012. It has received over 3000 downloads within the first two months of release. They have also released two videos off of their “Contra Mixtape”, “Go In” directed by Tyfotos and “Streets Says So” feat Vic Spencer directed by Deka Derse. Coming into 2013, Substance plan on releasing their debut album “No Grey Area” produced by All Purpose Beatz as well as pursuing the first touring opportunity.
Substance is a breath of fresh air that promotes creativity and good lyrics but most importantly good music. “Upcoming Chicago duo Substance is creating an impressive buzz and making a name for themselves with their hardcore/gritty beats and candid bars. Known for their shrill delivery and striking live show, Substance is one of the latest artists hailing form the windy city that is taking it back to the basics, which will bring you just what their name says—–Substance!”
LEGIT
Legit is a 20 year old emcee born and bred in Chicago, IL. Being an avid fan of hip-hop music and culture, Legit was strongly influenced to start rapping during his freshman ear in high school. Legit offers a unique sound of soulful beats mixed with lyrical poignancy influenced by wordsmiths such as Lupe Fiasco and Eminem. With a clear cut mastery of diction, delivery and flow, Legit brings conscious substance with inherent wisdom seemingly beyond his years. In July of 2011, he released his most cohesive body of work to date titled “Coloring Outside The Lines” and has showed no signs of slowing up ever since. He released a video from that same project for a song called “A Nigger in Northface” which pushed the envelope discussing interracial dating. That video went viral almost immediately after its release, garnering over 100,000 views in just a few months, landing him on websites such as Worldstar Hip Hop, 2dopeboyz, This is 50, The Source, and Illroots to name a few. Currently, Legit is releasing a new song every week to hold fans over until his new project releases, which is expected sometime during the 4th Quarter of 2012.
Birthed on the south side of Chicago, Marcale “Calez” Lewis was born to create music. He got started at an early age of 6 when he wrote his first rap song called “Big Money,” which he performed for his family that kept him striving to become a star. He first got in the studio with Ronnie Mac of Crazy Flo Productions and recorded his debut single at the ripe age of 13 entitled “Concussion”. Growing up and learning more about music and productions he started making his own beats by age 14 off an affordable program called Fl Studio 5. He became an excellent producer and started working on his own career as an all around artist. Meet Dj Slugo in 2007 His alter ego Dj Calez was created which his production capabilities and uniqueness on the Chicago scene as a footwork track maker got his social and music sites over 500,000 hits on the internet. Tailing from such sites as Youtube, Imeem, and Myspace. Calez deeply influenced by late 80’s early 90’s fashion and hip-hop culture catapulted and inspires his music, and new upcoming label 2008ightiesMusic™ Were Calez partnered up with business savvy manager and his acknowledgeable paralegal parent LaNora Lewis. This label is an natural extension of his comparative talents to be equally an artist as well as an producer. Platinizing a foundation for other upcoming artist under the 2008ightiesMusic™ umballa who in the studio collectively brainstorm on various creative projects conducive to their unique sound. If you absolutely love old school hip-hop and the new era, Calez is the guy to listen too. Writing, producing and engineering ninety percent of his projects, Calez feels there is no one like him in his age group. Look out for Chicago’s very own Calez!
In our current social climate, it seems that many artists are born overnight, leaving some with the absence of proper development and a true understanding of their craft. Tools of the hip-hop trade, like lyricism and delivery, must strike a balance with performance and vocal quality. Image and personal brand must correlate well with the theme. The creative process must encompass a fulfilled personal journey. In the end, it all must come together to create the story of the artist himself. As a ascending and emerging artist, premiere Chicago artist, Saint Millie, has already begun to spearhead and embody the essence of a true emcee.
Saint Mille grew up on the west side of Chicago, enduring loss and distant parental relationships from a young age. With the support of his extended family and his own persistant spirit, he plowed through the struggle and managed to place himself on the forefront of Chicago’s emerging hip hop scene.
Millie’s interest and obsession with music started in the sixth grade. Like many young MC’s, he found himself dropping his own rhythmic vocals on instrumentals without any professional mentoring. Throughout his formative years he learned how to hone in on his craft and make his music available to the masses. Once Millie entered high school, he formed a group called The Section. The result of which was his collaborative debut EP with Anton Genius that was a high school success.
The Fall of 2011 marked the beginning of the ‘Chvrch Music’ movement and the start of his first solo project, No Religion But Up. Teaming with producers Von Vuai, Drew Hurt, and Cartoonz member The Gift, the project was completed and became available for download in the Fall of 2012. The first official single, “Something Good” (produced by The Gift) sampled vocalist Maverick Sabre and offered a great introduction to Saint Millie and Chvrch Music. The second single, “Eight2Nine” featured Rick Ross’ most recent MMG artist signee, Rockie Fresh, with a killer production by Von Vuai. Since its initial drop in the Spring of 2012, it has garnered major online buzz and racked up some mainstream spins on Chicago’s WGCI radio, home of Chicago hip-hop. No Religion But Up, a debut mixtape showcasing versatile artistry, marks Saint Millie’s greatest progression and shows promise that he will only continue to evolve as an artist.
2014 will be one of the most productive years for Saint Millie. In the Winter of 2014, The Road to Glory will be released as the teaser for his highly anticipated mixtape, Glory, which is set to be released in the Spring of 2014. Tracks from The Road to Glory are sonically “melodic and fun ” for fans and listeners, Millie suggests. Glory, in contrast, is much more introspective.
Saint Millie’s flow resembles early 90’s era hip-hop with with his own signature, futuristic twists. Millie’s raps show and prove his growth since No Religion but Up – it’s more mature, complex, and poetic. Glory was carefully crafted to display Millie’s unique and seasoned sound. His music exudes his own personal brand, his style, his originality, and his immense creativity. Fused with the greater efforts of Chvrch Music, Millie’s message speaks for all to embrace our common humanity; to recognize and break the societal barriers that inhibit personal progression. With lyrics developed from poetic roots and production, matched to compliment his independent style, the music created its own unique blend. His relaxed delivery carries a feel good vibe and creates an aura to invite inspiration and provide motivation to all who listen.
Gathering influence from J Dilla, Madlib, MF DOOM, Pete Rock, Just Blaze, and The Alchemist Thelonious Martin brings a sound like no other. At the age of 20 the young king has worked with Joey Bada$$, Chance The Rapper, Pac Div, Mac Miller, Action Bronson, Curren$y, Freeway, Hodgy Beats,Domo Genesis,Da$h & Retchy P, MC Tree, Add-2, Vic Mensa of Kids These Days, Rockie Fresh, Kid Daytona, Sir Michael Rocks, Boldy James,GLC, Million Dollar Mano, Kids These Days, and list of others…So listen with your heart.
Kenny Edward Lewis Young, who goes by the stage name of Aceso, was born June 3,1991 on the south side of Chicago. Aceso first knew that pursuing a rap career was what he wanted to do in 6th grade when he was told he was a talented rapper. His community greatly influenced his desire for music. Along with that, his 6 year old sister and his team “SickLife” keep him motivated and moving toward his dream. SickLife was created in 2010 with him as the CEO. The talented rapper has big plans for his future, starting with the dropping of his first mixtape “Minimum Wage Millionaire” , which is scheduled to be released on March 20, 2012. “I just want to be recognized in the Music Industry as a good M.C” he says but for now, his plans are to keep doing what he loves, making his dreams a reality.
Born Mark Hill in a single 17 year old parent home on the westside of chicago He was always exsposed to the then newschool hiphop movement. Always picking up on the words of songs the 12 year old rapper (lil M.H.) would begin to write his own lyrics down, and try to and recreate the concepts, and flows of his favorite rappers at that time like lil bow wow, and all the young artist that were out at that time. It wasn’t until he meet grade school friend J’mme (j.Love) Love when the flyboy became very interested in the whole rap and producing game. He borrowed a cracked Fruity Loops 3 and went to work but felt that lyricism was his true calling so he stuck to rapping. Growing Years.. As years of high-school passed by the young lil M.H. became a freestyle machine on the skool spitin series on youtube filmed at his highschool(North Lawndale College prep) where he was deemed FlyBoy M.H. due to his affiliations with a group at his school.The two young men will continue doing their things separately then came back together when j.love had his first show at the taste of Austin and j.love asked Flyboy M.H. to assist him on stage.directly after that performance the two young men came together for a summer to create the Dynamic group Nuklear Attakk where they concocted the No Jypsies mix-tape. Flyboy and j.love rocked the whole winter and fall together meeting with OhGod and SlimCutta of StreetChartz.com. and a host of other artist promoters and C.E.O’s. As they progressed from show, and song A label by the name of Toxicated ENT. presented the opportunity for the two young men to take their talent to another level Flyboy M.H. Chose to become apart of the vision that Pierre Martel had for the label while j.love didn’t think it was the best idea. After Recently leaving the label Marky McFly Changed his name and is now on his Journey to Change the Game! Check out his new single Altitude from his 3rd Mixtape the Delorian 2
ill.Gates is a Toronto-based composer, performer and educator. Over the past 16 years, he has established a global fanbase and a reputation as one of the most dynamic electronic music artists around. He regularly tours across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Gates has headlined at such festivals as Burning Man, Shambala, the World Electronic Music Festival and the New Orleans Jazz Festival. His first full-length release, Autopirate (Muti Music, 2008) charted and continues to sell strongly. His upcoming triple album The ill.Methodology and accompanying online course are highly anticipated. Gates was recently selected as one of the Next 100 by URB Magazine. Many of his contemporaries cite ill.Gates as a key artistic influence and inspiration in their music. While on tour, Gates frequently teaches workshops to grateful and attentive audiences, in which he shares his highly effective approach to producing quality finished music as well as insights into the mentality and strategies necessary to succeed in the music business. ill.Gates appears on: Muti Music, Amorphous Music/Child’s Play/Om Records, Addictech, Noodles, Innerflight, Low Motion, Made In Glitch, Tube10 & Chi Recordings
Newly formed in late 2011, Still Searching is one of Chicago’s finest up and coming rock groups. With elements ranging from rock to pop to dubstep, there’s something for even the most critical listener. This is a band of friends and artists. None of us have life figured out by any means, but we are still searching.
Face Time Police, the genre-defying purveyors of “pop macchiato” present a blend of styles that showcase their own brand of variety with a vision. Made up of Brian and James Serra (founding members), this highly visual and energetic band of brothers defies categorization and delivers songs that are fun and catchy, yet artistic and introspective.
Embracing an adamant DIY ethic towards everything they do, the Serra brothers are responsible for all aspects of their art including: music production, graphic design, and video editing.
Face Time Police is currently performing as an acoustic duo.
Come see Jazz Guitar Legend Al Di Meola in the most intimate setting you can imagine! Extremely limited seating, only 100 tickets available to see this music icon! Acoustic performance with pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba!
A bona fide guitar hero, perennial poll-winner and virtuoso of the highest order, Al Di Meola has also been recognized over the past 30 years as a prolific composer and respected artist with over 20 recordings as a leader. His creative output to date is staggering, whether it’s with his current World Sinfonia band or past musical endeavors like his electric Tour de Force group with Jan Hammer, Anthony Jackson, Steve Gadd and Mingo Lewis, the internationally acclaimed Trio with fellow guitar superstars John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia, the Rite of Strings trio with Stanley Clarke and Jean-Luc Ponty or the ’70s fusion supergroup Return To Forever with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. And while his dazzling technique on both acoustic and electric guitars has afforded him regal status among the hordes of fretboard aficionados who regularly flock to his concerts, the depth of Di Meola’s writing along with the soulfulness and his inherent lyricism of his guitaristic expression have won him legions of fans worldwide beyond the six-string set.
The Mudflapps are a Chicago- based band that plays original acoustic music. Whether plugged-in on the big stage, or truly unplugged and unamplified, they give audiences a dose of country storytelling at its finest. The songs weave tales of woe, whiskey, and wild living into a mix of styles with nearly universal appeal. Sometimes it sounds like honky-tonk, sometimes more like bluegrass, sometimes more like jug band blues. It often sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Upright bass, guitars, dobro, and mandolin combine with strong songwriting and tight vocal harmony to create a show fit for stages of any size.
HEYOOOH!!! Best have your best dance’n shoes on and your beer held high! Rickett Pass is built of 4 everyday bastards lookin to RIP up some tunes and have one hell of a hangover in the mornin’. We could tell you some long drawn out story of our lives but thats boring and takes away time from shoot’n whiskey and play’n tunes. So come out and party with us, and if you want our story “I’ll pull my fist outchya mouf and you can ask” smiles, see ya there. With Love, your Bluegrass Bastards.
Groundspeed Bluegrass Band performs a mix of traditional bluegrass and newgrass tunes – keepin’ the tradition alive. The band’s four members blend banjo, guitar, dobro, fiddle and upright bass, delivering the unmistakable and original American sound of bluegrass.
The band was started by guitarists Kevin and Eric in 2010 and they later recruited Brandon, Wade and Matt in 2011 to transform their ideas into a band. Our sound is a unique blend of death metal, hardcore and thrash that mold together to suit everyone’s liking. Our philosophy is simple: to make great music and excel at what we do while not taking ourselves too seriously. Thanks for checking us out. Please ‘Fan’ us and tell a few friends.
Hailing from Joliet, IL, Orinoco has been hitting the scene hard! The 4 piece metal band has pushed their way onto the scene with their brutal sound that blends breakdowns with death metal riffs and fast thrash.
Since their start in 2011, Orinoco has been striving to stay on top in the music scene. They have consistently played shows, sharing the stage with national acts such as Cryptopsy, Stray From The Path, Suicide Silence, Belphegor, Upon A Burning Body, The Contortionist, Oceano, After The Burial, Glass Cloud, It Lies Within, Stick To Your Guns, and many more.
After the Spire is an aggressive, yet straight forward metal band driven for success. Bringing elements of death metal and grindcore to the table with intense drums, technical bass lines, dynamic guitars, and harsh vocals.
Based out of the suburbs of Chicago, Oceanwalker is a fresh new band that was created with the goal of making music that everyone can enjoy. Although coming from a metal background, the band takes influence from a variety of artists across all genres and combines those ideas to create something you haven’t heard before.
… The Company We Keep is a coming-together of three doe eyed veterans — arranging a melodic framework to showcase the voice of newcomer: Amy Brennan. The project began on the road when Brian Southall [The Receiving End of Sirens / Motion City Soundtrack tour manager] presented Justin Pierre [Motion City Soundtrack] with a series of compositions for which he would eventually contribute lyrics and melodies. While in-between MCS tours, Brian was introduced to Amy at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Detroit. After learning that she was a singer, Brian found videos of Amy performing cover songs on-line. Her amazing voice and powerful presence inspired him to beg her to contribute to the project. She finally agreed, and, so, the search for a drummer began. The search lasted only as long as it took Brian to consult his first choice — old friend, and Misery Signals drummer: Branden Morgan. Brian, Amy, and Branden will tackle the majority of performance duties, with Justin filling a role akin to that of Brett Gurewitz’s in Bad Religion, as a principal writer and recurring live presence. He is very much, ’in the band,’ but doesn’t want his hectic schedule to serve as a hindrance to the momentum of this project.
A rockin’ horn band, flavored by tight guitars, vocals & drums, spiced by warm strings.
THE REVEREND JOHN WILKINS
Though born in Memphis, Tennessee, Reverend John Wilkins is a child of the North Mississippi Hill Country. His mother was born in Holly Springs and his father was from Hernando. While Wilkins grew up in the city, family parties and neighborhood picnics featuring country blues and fife and drum bands were never farther than a short drive over the Mississippi state line. John Wilkins’ father, the venerated blues and gospel singer Robert Wilkins, was the principal influence on his young son’s development as a musician. Wilkins’ father had made a series of recordings in the 1930s that included the original “Prodigal Son” (initially recorded as a secular song called “That’s No Way To Get Along”), which was later recorded by the Rolling Stones. The elder Wilkins developed a gospel style that was based on his earlier country blues style – a style that developed into the rock ‘n’ roll sound that Memphis, and then the world, would later claim as it’s own. When the young John Wilkins was learning to play guitar, he picked up his father’s gospel and country blues styles. He also absorbed the citified soulful sounds that were being pioneered by local musicians and recorded by legendary Memphis labels like Sun, Stax and Hi. As he approached adulthood in the 1960s, John Wilkins could be found playing in church, at parties, and at clubs. Like his father before him, Wilkins walked a similar musical line between the sacred and secular. He played guitar on O.V. Wright’s famous 1965 single “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry” and later in the early 1970s recorded as a member of the M & N Gospel Singers for Style Wooten’s Designer Records. In the early 1980’s, Wilkins life came full circle when he followed his father’s call to ministry. He became pastor of Hunter’s Chapel Church and ever since, Wilkins has led a congregation that includes generations of Tate county locals, as well as the late fife players Othar Turner and Napolian Strickland and their families, and numerous other regional parishioners and North Mississippi musicians. In earlier times, legendary Hill Country bluesman Fred McDowell and his wife Annie Mae were members of Hunter’s Chapel congregation. It was they who, in the mid 1960s first introduced the Hunter’s Chapel Singers to the world on the outstanding album called Amazing Grace for Testament Records. “You Can’t Hurry God” is Reverend John Wilkins’ debut full-length album. In it he showcases an individual sound that is regional and universal. This recording is a culmination of a lifetime spent learning from, and ministering to some of the luminaries of North Mississippi and Memphis. And, this sound can have only been made by a child of the North Mississippi Hill Country.
SYNRGY is a Reggae Massive Movement hailing from Southern Oregon who tour across the nation spreading Positive Motivational Music that blossoms the Soul.
THE BRIBES are a powerful Chicago trio of dirty, moody, soul-moving rock and roll.
Their roots of musical taste range from classical, blues, jazz, and rock.
The members of The Bribes are: Joe Blickenov on drums Ed Doerge on bass guitar, and Philip Toscano on guitar, piano, vocals.
All songs Written by THE BRIBES.
Fort Defiance is high-energy, front-porch-folk trio, from Nashville, Tennessee; born from the solo careers of folk singer Jordan Eastman and Virginia based heart-throb Laurel Lane. A month after meeting, the two took to the road; living in the back of a truck and playing shows across the country. After being met with great response, they recruited drummer and long-time friend, Dave Martin (to carry the luggage), continued touring, recorded a 100% crowd-funded album, and the rest, as they say, is history. They’ve even moved from the truck to a tow-behind-trailer; into what feels to them like mighty fancy livin’…
Pick up their debut album “Worry Has No Home”
available March 3rd, 2015
To call Dan McGuinness a singer is an understatement.
Dan’s voice harkens a listener’s memory back to a time when Blue Eyed Soul ruled the radio. Full and powerful, Dan’s voice can go from edgy and rough to soft and delicate in an instant. His incredible range and perfect pitch are complimented by his expert technique and his soft touch.
THE VIOLET LIGHTS are a rock duo based in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California. Recording their debut EP, Sex & Sound, at the legendary Hollywood studio Sunset Sound, they emerged with what is being described as a “Velvet Underground descendant collection of songs more befitting of the ‘garage’ label than, say, The Strokes” and a sound labeled “a mash-up of Britpop, NYC garage rock and West Coast guitar musings.”
Sex & Sound has begun to garner media coverage worldwide, with critics taking notice of the high production standards and fun, radio-friendly quality of the self-produced, self-funded record. Bloggers are designating the five-song effort as “full of muscular guitars and hummable hooks,” and deeming the songs “energetic and catchy” while predicting, “Sex & Sound is undoubtedly all they will need to find success.” In late 2011, the EP appeared at #12 on the CMJ Radio 200 Adds Chart and remained on the CMJ Radio 200 Chart for several weeks. In support of its April 2012 release, The Violet Lights will embark on a 45-city North American tour beginning on January 25th, culminating at South by Southwest in March.
The Violet Lights got their start when Joel Nass and Amber Garvey left their hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin without plans or money and headed west. Getting by in LA while developing their music has proven to be a trying yet colorful adventure for the two, a story chronicled on their blog and accompanied by their own uniquely stylized photographs and videos. This running narrative and coordinated visual aesthetic is a considerable complement to the project, engaging fans in the ongoing story and bringing writers to comment, “Their coming out party in the blogosphere is uplifting as the band has really committed themselves to telling their story as they evolve on their blog…We really dig the sexy-cool garage rock image.”
Guaranteed to get you on your feet, Rocksteady Breakfast is Ska-Punk at it’s finest. These hooligans are all about good times, and a live performance you definitely don’t wanna miss! Whether your in the mood for fast of slow, they got it in the menu.
Sporting a sonic kaleidoscope that includes intimate shoegaze, dark new-wave and driving dance beats, Chicago’s Vanarays have quite the pedigree for major success in the area. Vanarays are a consistently shape-shifting entity. This is a band of well-schooled multi-instrumentalists, clearly writing and performing on their own terms with a canyon-wide palette of slinky, ominous sounds.
RKTR is Chicago’s hottest up-and-coming dj/producer duo, pumping out new, original and captivating dance tracks that pummel your subwoofers and rock your soul.
Amanda Lux is a Chicago based DJ. Following a refined and dedicated musical passion for the past several years has lead her to more recently pursue a revelation of sound. Beyond the world of disk jockeying unique selections of electro, dubstep and house, she seeks to emerge in a light so unexpected, it captivates your soul.
Hailing from southern Chicagoland the Rage Face Records team is proud to present Enoptix (Real name Marty McKenna). Enoptix is a master of digital sound synthesis. Drawing inspiration from a widespread variety of genre’s including hip hop, dubstep, drum and bass, house, techno, downtempo, and blues, Enoptix has compressed his musical tastes with a unique approach and technique when it comes to creating electronic music.
Focusing on mostly dubstep and drum and bass with this musical alter ego, Enoptix has shown us that he can bang with the best of themwhile keeping his music fresh and particularly his own. This melting pot of intelligence, great musical taste, superior control over all things digital, and a firm belief that music should be played as loud as possible at all times of the day, comes together in a single, whomping entity: ENOPTIX
