Growing up in Madrid, Spain, US based artist Brie Stoner pulls from her multilingual and multicultural background in her indie dream rock music. Featuring vocals reminiscent of Mazzy Star blended with a fresh production sensibility, Stoner has worked with producers such as Jay Bennett (Wilco) and David Vandervelde (Father John Misty). “Like A Man” the new EP is a melodic ode to Stoner’s formative years in Los Angeles, the record shimmers like sunshine on ocean waves. In addition to being a beloved co-host to a hit podcast with over 4 million listeners, Stoner’s voice and music have been featured in national campaigns such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria Secret, Orange is The New Black, and The Affair. Stoner’s new book Turned On: A Creative’s Guide to Awakening, Presence, Pleasure, and Possibility is out on January 7, 2025 on Broadleaf Books.
Hailing from Birmingham, AL, childhood friends Tanner Gray and Colby Wilson have been writing music together for over ten years. The pair have drawn inspiration from different genres and eras – The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Grateful Dead, Vampire Weekend, and John Mayer to name a few. The music that comes from Gray and Wilson has always boasted blood harmonies as well as thoughtful, invoking lyrics.
Post high school, Gray and Wilson took different paths. Gray attended Mississippi State University; Wilson stayed in Birmingham. While at MSU, Gray became acquainted with Chase Porter (bass) and Zach Corder (drums). Porter, Corder, and Gray would form and play in multiple groups during their time in Starkville, MS. Wilson, all the while, was writing music of his own with his group Smoking With the Bandit. After graduating in 2015, Porter made his way to Nashville to begin a career in Marketing. A year later, Gray and Corder made their post-graduate home in the panhandle of Florida, where they eventually formed The Graytones.
In the Spring of 2019, Gray and Wilson were reunited when Gray moved back to Birmingham in pursuit of a new job. Corder headed to Music City, catching up with Porter. Gray and Wilson picked up right where they left off in Alabama, and they soon felt a new project starting to take form.
As the duo recorded acoustic demos, they reached out to their Mississippi-born rhythm section.
The demos were shared north to Nashville, and once Porter and Corder heard what Gray and Wilson were doing, they were all in. In September of 2019, Certainly So was formed. Several months later, in January 2020, the group was introduced to producer/engineer Toby Hulbert. Hulbert had spent the last 8 years at Abbey Road in his hometown of London, England, and was currently in Nashville working alongside hitmaker Dave Cobb. Upon hearing the ‘Certainly So’ demos, he felt a similar sentiment as Porter and Corder did- he must be involved. Hulbert joined the team as producer. Certainly So and Hulbert gained access to East Avalon Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals through RCA’s Colin Lott during April 2020. Over the next two months, Hulbert and Lott teamed up to produce and engineer four weekend sessions, recording what would be the band’s debut album Future Self Only Dreams.
Following the Future Self Only Dreams release, Certainly So released Dreams of Green. The record is a combination of the songs that did not sonically make the cut for Future Self Only Dreams, but still deserved to be produced and recorded in their own style, and the new writes that fit the same vibe. Dreams of Green was recorded in the bands basement in the Inglewood area of Nashville and is intended it to be an extension of Future Self Only Dreams. Similarly to Future Self Only Dreams, Dreams of Green was engineered by Colin Lott and mixed by Toby Hulbert in 2021, but was self produced by the members of Certainly So. Dreams of Green was released in July 2022.
Certainly So released their first single in over a year “Alabama Blues” on April 21st 2023. Their follow up single “Tired For a Living” will be released on June 23rd 2023. Both were recorded in Muscle Shoals at East Avalon with Engineer Colin Lott and mixed by Toby Hulbert.
During late 2023 and 2024 the band released 5 singles for their upcoming album titled “Probably Not”. The songs released include “Miss America”, “1422”, “Patience” Lucid”, and “Panic Attack” with 5 new songs to be released with the album.
“Probably Not”, the 10 song album will be released on November 8th 2024!
Play Machine is an indie-pop rock band from Madison featuring Brian Liston and Joey B Banks, two Madison powerhouse musicians creating a unique and infectious sound. Steeped in the world of EDM, Brian Liston paints dense soundscapes ranging from scary to elevating.
For the love of music! Automatic Lover is a band with deep roots in the Madison WI music scene. The band weaves together anything from trap beats to soca, garage punk to samba, afrobeat to heavy disco. It’s music that makes you move. Uriel López-Rodríguez (voice), Matthew Reif (keys), Shanan Galligan (guitar), Brett Farrey (bass), Joey B Banks (drums)
Pablo alto is the convergence of indie-rock multi-instrumentalist Sergio Luna, jazz keyboardist Pulsar Li, and 6-string fretless bassist Ben Campbell. Their aim is to celebrate the diversity of their musical origins and keep the genre-labelers guessing. Embracing both technology and tradition, the group routinely experiments with sequencers, drum machines, synthesizers, classical arrangements, orchestral sounds, and improvisation in their compositions. Formed in 2023, they have released a studio single and a live EP and continue to embrace the vibrant Chicago music scene today by collaborating with numerous artists, venues, and organizations.
Started by grade school friends Carleton Koldyke and Julian Stacey, the pair began writing music together back in 2017, eventually recording and performing live throughout the Chicagoland area.
After a hiatus due to COVID, Carleton and Julian maintained writing songs and launched “The Knockaround Band” in 2024 with the new addition of guitarist lan Harsh. Together, the trio looks to bring a new twist to the Pop/Rock scene with their brand of energetic, feel-good music.
Never Been Won’t Go is an earnest Indie rock band from Chicago, IL. Somewhere between Queens of the Stone Age and Grizzly Bear, they combine thoughtful lyrics with riff centric melodies. Never Been Won’t Go writes songs for people who are just trying their best.
born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, justJOY has absorbed both the culture and music from big city upbeats, coupled with West Coast soundscapes, influencing her indie pop sound today. With Brett Sassetti on drums, Nathan Cowan on lead guitar and Mikey Harms on bass, justJOY’s unique sound is ready to take over. Exploring topics such as love, friendship and being in your twenties, she aims to create an authentically relatable space for her listeners, where her lyrics feel like home. Recently, she opened for a West Coast artist, by the name of “sorryimolive” on their album release tour, played a show in Nashville, Tennessee and released her most “justJOY” single to date, “2052.” Into 2025, justJOY is excited to reach more listeners, grow in fans, and overall have more fun making music!
THE HORNO STARS are a trombone-led band from Chicago, Illinois.
MUD FLAP JAZZ is a term for the Style of Play and Song Selection, a bit Down and Dirty.
THE SONG Repertoire includes 1920’s Hot Jazz, Monk, New Orleans Second-LIne, Chicago Blues as well as Originals.
Born & raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Sin the Winner brings a fresh new sound to the Chicago rap scene with captivating and electrifying vocals never heard or seen before! Started out booking sessions for fun, Sin then realized people started gravitating to her music and sound! Sticking with it, she now records full-time. Sin is bound to be Chicago’s next heavy hitter with cosigns growing by the day! A hustler at heart, Sin is the type who knows what she wants and how to get it.
Stevon Odueze , better known by his monikers or Stevo is a Nigerian- American artist from Chicago’s north-side. Stevo was raised in the rough Uptown and Rogers Park neighborhood. Being from the north-side of Chicago , Stevo has been compared to artists such as Young Pappy and Polo G, two legends from the area. OG Stevo’s ability to add melodic interludes into his trap styled rap has reshaped this genre for the better. OG Stevo , an independent artist , who has no major co-signs but has scored placements from The Chicago Reader, Lyrical Lemonade, Revolt TV ,Vocalo Radio, and many more. Stevo has also found his way into the daily mixes at the radio powerhouse , Power 92 or 92.3, being played by Hotrod , DJ Nephets, and DJ Pharris . Vocalo Radio, 91.1 is another station that keeps OG Stevo in full rotation.
KB Mike never disguises how he feels on a track. Instead, he lets you know exactly what’s on his mind loud and clear. He could reflect with a skyscraping soul vocal, or he’ll get cocky and go hard on the beat with a punchy flow. A melody meant to numb pain might find him in his feelings, or a heartfelt ballad will double as an expression of love too pure for conversation even. This versatility has placed him on the fast track out of his native Chicago and on the way to worldwide stardom. He came up out of the infamously rough South Side. Addiction, violence, crime, and other traps of the street life surrounded him and almost swallowed him whole. As the story goes, he popped off thanks to internet freestyles (recorded and uploaded during house arrest). A series of popular singles followed, including “Distant,” “Addicted,” “Deep In Love,” “Blue Skies,” and more. 2021’s “Used To” amassed over 20.7 million Spotify streams as he signed to Republic Records. It bulldozed the way for his 2022 full-length debut, Old Wounds, which yielded “Thru Worse N Thru Better,” “Insecure,” and “Keep Yo Head Up.” Between earning praise from Revolt, HotNewHipHop, and more, he performed to packed houses on tour with Tink. Everything just set the stage for his most versatile, vibrant, and vital project yet, Euphoria.
From the dynamic streets of Chicago’s west side emerges Saneit, a sensational R&B artist and songwriter. Making her mark in the ever-evolving music circuit of Los Angeles, Saneit’s versatility and growth shine through with every new release.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Howard University, Saneit combines her networking skills and pure vocal talent to navigate the music industry with finesse. Not only does she possess an exceptional ability to captivate audiences, but she also possesses the tools to enhance and professionally maintain her own image and career.
As an independent artist, Saneit’s debut album “Fantasy” is a testament to her passion and soul. Her confidence and love for her craft are evident in her creative process, allowing her to take full control of her music. In 2021, she delighted fans with her EP “Crush II,” showcasing her growth as an artist and captivating listeners with her soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
Building on this momentum, Saneit released her highly anticipated “Automatic EP” in 2023, further solidifying her place in the R&B scene. This project showcased her evolution as an artist, with infectious hooks and mesmerizing vocals that left audiences craving more with favorites like “Breakfast In The Morning.”
Saneit’s impressive resume also includes sold-out shows at renowned venues, further demonstrating her magnetic stage presence and undeniable talent. In June 2023, she sold out The Promontory, leaving the audience in awe of her captivating performance. This was followed by another sold-out show at City Winery Chicago in January 2024, solidifying her status as a rising star in the music industry.
Looking ahead, Saneit has exciting new releases on the horizon. With her undeniable talent and commitment to her craft, fans known as Neit Freaks can anticipate more incredible music that pushes boundaries and resonates deeply. Saneit is undoubtedly an artist to watch, as she continues to captivate and inspire with her distinct sound and artistic vision.
Jaas is a Chicago based singer and songwriter originally from Washington DC some of her primary musical influences include Lauren Hill Frank Ocean & partynextdoor. Drawing inspiration from her reality as well as from her peers jaas works to ensure everything she pens is authentic and relatable. The talented songstress has been featured on several notable outlets including elevator magazine, lyrical lemonade, the source, and world star hip hop.
Yna is a queer-Filipina, ambient indie producer and songwriter currently based in Chicago, Illinois. Drawing from their personal experiences and her drive to experiment with layers of synths, guitars, and bells, Yna’s lyricism and ethereal soundscapes are integral parts of her signature, cinematic sound. Media outlets describe Yna’s songs as “emotionally evocative music that makes you feel like the main character in an Oscar-winning tearjerker.” Driven by capturing their struggles with anxiety, relationships, and identity, Yna shows herself to the world through the words they sing. Yna wants listeners to live her own experiences through her music, also hoping that her songs can bring others comfort from the struggles they may be dealing with.
Raised in Southern California, Yna started singing at the age of four and taught herself how to play the guitar and piano at the age of nine. After releasing a number of singles, such as “unaligned” and “south loop,” Yna moved to Chicago in 2021 to pursue a career in music. Since moving to Chicago, Yna has made a name for herself in both IL and CA. In 2023, Yna formed their band, Yna and the Seasons, which played 15 shows throughout the year. Yna and the Seasons have performed at prominent venues in Chicago such as Schubas Tavern, Beat Kitchen and Sleeping Village as well as Chapman University in Orange, California.
Currently, Yna just released her self-titled, debut album, YNA.
We have been friends and played together in various bands for decades. We first met George Drag when our bands playedtogether at an American Legion show in 1992. Formed in autumn 2016 when George T. Drag (Butterflies, Honda Pavarotti) joined up with the Finn Swingley, Brian Daley, and Joe Daley (Demilos, Soft Speaker, The Saturday Nights), The Embryos make music fun. Peace and love.
As music fans we’re only ever given fragments of lives well lived, and we scrabble vicariously through them. Skinny Lister, though, have really given us as much as they can since 2009. They’ve led an endless parade gathering fans old and new, from the respected folk circuit to the riotous Download Festival, igniting pogoing mosh-pits at each. Over the past ten years they’ve travelled from rain-soaked London to the vast arteries of the USA, upgrading from narrow boat to Salty Dog Cruise, played huge tours across Europe and North America with Frank Turner, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly as well as headlining themselves across festivals, sweatboxes and ever-larger venues.
After three albums taking confident steps into an ever larger world, their fourth offering, The Story Is… (produced and mixed by Barny Barnicott – Arctic Monkeys, The Enemy, The Temper Trap) takes the tales of the everyday, the minutiae of our lives, and turns them into potent pop that rings oh so true.
Skinny Lister have opened their lives up more than ever before on The Story Is…, allowing us in and giving everyone a space to express joy, to deeply relate to the lines that strike a chord, and to throw ourselves into living with renewed abandon, hope, happiness and excitement, with stories enough to fill several lifetimes.
Paul Grace Smith – Guitar and Lead Vocals
Jamy Holliday – Guitar and Vocals
Gretta Smak – Guitar and Vocals
Kellen Mutter – Bass and Vocals
Illi Vassiliadis – Drums
Lionn Van Der Horst – Drums
Dan Durecki – Drums
(Not all 3 at once)
Why are they so LOUD?
The Strains are 100% street. They cut their teeth on the nitty gritty spanning many decades. Individually from the gutters of Detroit in the mid 70s , to the Bowery in New York in the late 70s , the frigid climes of Minneapolis in the 80s , and the dive bars of Europe in the post Cold War era in the 90s and 2000s, only to meet up in Detroit in the NOW. These guys do not mince words or notes. They have been there through every fashion change and shift in taste, yet remain true to what has been fundamental throughout the decades. The rock and roll spirit. This live album captures them at their most real. Songs about truth. Songs about hurt. Songs about hope.
Richard “Handsome Dick” Manitoba, also known as “The Handsomest Man In Rock & Roll”, and the “World’s Greatest Entertainer” (at least since Sammy Davis Jr. left us) was born Richard Blum in The Bronx, New York, January 29, 1954. Richard is a musician, most well known for being the lead singer (for most of 45 years) with the New York City legendary punk band, THE DICTATORS.
MR. MANITOBA also spent 14 years (starting around 2004) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, hosting “The Handsome Dick Radio Program“, a national show, 5 nights a week in Little Steven’s Underground Garage.
And that ain’t all folks!. Handsome Dick has owned the coolest rock ‘n’ roll tavern in the Western Hemisphere for just about 20 years now. Oddly enough, it’s called Manitoba’s Bar and it’s located at 99 Avenue B between 6 and 7 Streets in New York City’s, East Village, on…the lush beautiful island of Manhattan.
HDM occasionally sang lead with the MC5 (at the time called DKT/MC5) which included Michael Davis, “Brother” Wayne Kramer and Dennis “Machinegun” Thompson, founding members of Detroit’s legendary MIGHTY pre-punk rock and roll band, The MC5.
MR. MANITOBA was a guest on his pal, Jimmy’s television program, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon“. HDM was a major character on an ill-fated, half hour reality show called Barmageddon. He proudly sat with the late great chef, Anthony Bourdain chowing down on White Castles at MR. MANITOBA’S childhood Bronx White Castle.
HDM recently traveled to Nashville, TN to work on an album with the legendary Jon Tiven, recording 18 songs in 4 1/2 days with some of Nashville’s finest musicians.
“We feel confident the album will be released in 2019…. it’s called “Born In The Bronx”.
MR. MANITOBA has a new podcast: “You Don’t Know Dick!” with Handsome Dick Manitoba. It’s available on itunes, Google Play & Stitcher.
“A podcast can reach an infinite amount of people…. because you don’t have to buy anything! All you have to do is turn on your cell phone AND SUBSCRIBE!!! AND PLEASE GIVE US A 5 STAR RATING AND GIVE US A NICE LINE OR TWO IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.
When was the last person you met that didn’t have a cell phone?…or an iPad…or a computer?…the world over… It’s all you got to do, turn it on, subscribe to it for FREE. Not only that, I’m not part of somebody’s idea, passion & dream.
I’m not filling in the holes/spaces of what somebody else has invented. I am creating the whole thing that I do. I will live and die with myself, it’s all up to me! I don’t have to push anything I don’t want to push. I don’t have to shill for a record label, for example.
I am no longer an actor in somebody else’s movie I am the director of my own movie”
Michael Angeles is an R&B artist from Southern California. With his soulful voice and skillful guitar playing, he turns life’s discontentments and love’s missed chances into heartfelt melodies. Angeles is a storyteller through music, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the ups and downs of his journey.
The Remote Controls were formed in 2022 in Indianapolis, IN.
They play punk rock songs and they play them really fast.
One of them drummed for Sloppy Seconds one time.
Another one opened for Green Day in the 1900’s.
The other one typed this bio.
Combining garage rock, punk, and post punk, you get MANIA. Chicago’s newest form of familiar faces bringing high energy Rock n Roll. NEVER MIND THE REST, HERE’S MANIA!
Trash Pandas is a multi-award-winning rock and roll band from the Green Bay/Fox Cities area. Originally formed in 2019, this band has taken inspiration from many subgenres of rock music such as punk, alternative, grunge, and metal to create a sound that is truly unique to them. Their creative blend of music styles makes them versatile enough to book with many different lineups and has helped them book many shows not only in their local area, but also throughout Wisconsin and branching into Minnesota and Illinois. This group has been described by many in the scene as a “must-see”, and “the hardest working band in Northeast Wisconsin”.
A guitar and drum complimented duo with a punk blues rock sound, original music and explosive live music performances is driven by Julian Routheaux (the french) and Travis Pashek (the irish) who sonically repent their sins through a explosion of soul, slide guitar and high attack drumming. Theses brothers born of the deep north woods, the band created to be “the French Irish Coalition”
Psych. Garage Punk – Brought together by fate, a vision, or just bad luck; Coyote Fire captivates audiences with a ferocious blend of scorching guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and high energy punk rock. Their sound paints portraits of pain, rage, and vivacity of life. An untamed spirit poised to set the underground Rock scene ablaze.
Magic Wands is an American dark dream pop duo formed in Nashville TN by guitarists and vocalists Chris and Dexy Valentine. Based in Los Angeles, the band is known for their shimmering and dreamy sound, which incorporates elements of gothic post punk, and dark dream pop. Their music is characterized by its heavily-textured guitars, droning synths, and ethereal vocals, which are designed to create an otherworldly atmosphere. Magic Wands have released several albums to date, each showcasing their unique sound and style. Their music has been praised for its euphoric quality, which is particularly evident in their live performances. Magic Wands is a band that is dedicated to creating music that is both imaginative and emotionally-engaging. They have built a dedicated following of fans who are drawn to their unique sound and their ability to create a sense of mysticism and wonder through their music.
Emma Ohm is a self-proclaimed firecracker. She prides herself off of making music that is groovy, powerful, and that “lets her light shine” (Matthew 5:16). Nothing short of a powerhouse, she sings, plays a Tele, writes her own songs, and produces in a genre that blends the fluidity of soul and blues with the hard hitting elements of rock and funk.
Diondre Dunigan is a songwriter based in the south side of Chicago. Dedicated to fostering spaces for feeling, community, and presence, he sings songs of life’s little moments, big ones, and the through lines between them. With alternative folk sensibilities, a tuned ear, and a tuned heart, Diondre creates spaces where the music and listener can be present together, and listeners can be present with one another.
Sunflower Summit (she/they) is a queer Chicago based artist. With a mission to support their community through music and mental health discussions, Sunflower Summit writes and performs music that hits right in the feels. Made up of vocalist and writer Maria Requena, and cellist and bassist Allison Hill, the duo creates intimate and cozy energy for every performance that any listener can connect with!
Since 2019, Sunflower Summit has released several albums and EPS, including Love Notes, In This Moment, and When It Snows, and a new album is in the works! Follow along on Sunflower Summit’s happenings on Instagram and support them on Patreon!
Honest Enemy emerges from the depths of musical fusion, defying genre boundaries and delivering a powerful sonic experience that combines the raw energy of rock, the aggression of metal, and the alternative spirit. With a unique sound that blurs the lines between genres, Honest Enemy stands as a formidable presence in the realm of heavy music.
Maddie Naughton is a comic from the suburbs of Chicago. You can find her around the city and has performed at clubs such as Laugh Factory and The Lincoln Lodge. Critics have claimed she brings a strong “medium dick energy” to the stage.
Mike Pickerl is a comic based out of Wheaton Illinois but can be seen performing all over The Midwest. He has performed at the Lincoln Lodge, The Comedy Vault, Zanies Rosemont, Zanies Chicago and The Comedy Bar. He speaks frankly about his struggles with addiction, interspersed with surrealist one liners.
Based in Chicago, Chris has been making audiences laugh with his stand-up for about four years. As a veteran of the Armed Forces and a devoted family man, he draws much of his comedic material from life experiences bringing a relatable and heartfelt message to the stage.
Born in the backwoods of West Virginia, Hunter Hirsh was raised amidst a sea of ATVs and truck nuts. Now in Chicago, he performs on stages throughout the city and the Greater Midwest area. His jokes range from commentary on Jazz music to deluded rants on the beauty of being a firefighter. Hunter currently holds the record for the loudest but most endearing comic in the Midwest.
Coming straight out of Queens with a captivating mix of modern rock and a hint of vintage guitar, NYC based outfit King Falcon has released their eagerly-awaited self-titled debut album. Showcasing an exhilarating blend of indie-rock adventurousness and Classic Rock swagger, King Falcon’s exceptional songwriting recalls artists like Black Keys, Jack White, Cage the Elephant, The Strokes, Royal Blood, and The Killers.
From the ashes of Curio (2009-2019) comes Wendigo Fever; a country twang-infused rock n’ roll outfit from Chicago. In 2024, songwriter Chris Pluska assembled long-time collaborators Donovan Foote (bass) and Gary Landess (drums) to flesh out a project that had been kicking around since the pandemic. Inspired by and using the themes of the Native American folklore surrounding the Wendigo, a supernatural creature that stands as a cautionary tale against selfishness and isolation, the band conjures a feral sound with songs about loss, temptation, and the struggles within.
Wendigo Fever will release their debut album and begin performing live at a juke joint near you in 2025.
Nia Asiel is a game changing upcoming singer-songwriter from the beautiful city of Chicago, IL. She brings a unique sound to the world of R&B through her lyrics, melodies, and relatable stories. With her constantly growing buzz and persistence, Nia Asiel will take the music industry by storm.
The south side of Chicago has a tough working class reputation, it’s also known for one of the largest populations of Irish people this side of the Emerald Isle. So it’s not entirely incongruous that a hard luck kid from the south side of town would choose to play traditional Irish folk music in pubs around the neighborhood. At 18, Anthony (T.) Duggins, was doing just that – playing pub favorites and covers of greats like Christy Moore, and Ewan MacColl. Before long his brother and his best friends were playing the original songs he had written as well, and so became The Tossers. The name was taken from an old slang term used for worthless British coins in Sean O’Casey’s play The Plough and the Stars. The coins became useless after the southern Irish Free State won independence from Britain, and started to print it’s own currency. The term tosser has since come to mean wanker, or it’s American equivalent, jag off.
Gritty funked out ska rock, Skirt is a midwestern beach band proudly hailing from Northwest Indiana’s The Region. Formed in 2022, combining an eclectic mix of styles and inspiration to create their own “aggressively laid back” signature sound that accurately represents the working class blue collar beach town attitudes of where they were born and raised.
Madison, Wisconsin based funk band, RARE ELEMENT has developed a strong reputation for its high-intensity, live shows. The band’s highly talented 7-piece roster, including 3-piece horn section, bring massive energy to the stage at each performance. The band is influenced by classic funk artists such as Fred Wesley, The Meters, Clyde Stubblefield, and Herbie Hancock. See for yourself why Maximum Ink Magazine dubbed Rare Element as “Madison’s Newest Super Group”!
Chad Whittinghill (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Bryan Husk (tenor, baritone sax) first met in 2003 as members of the urban neo-soul band, VIBE SYNDICATE. Unbeknownst to them, they would spend the next 20 years playing side by side with some of Wisconsin’s finest funk and blues bands. For years, they honed their skilled working together with CLYDE STUBBLEFIELD‘s weekly Funky Monday shows. Later, the two would team up with Hammond B-3 ace Jimmy Voegeli and his blues powerhouse, THE JIMMYS. Over the years, they shared a common goal to create a band where this horn section could be pushed to it’s limit. Finally, in 2018, a roster of highly skilled musicians was assembled and Rare Element was created.
Completing the horn section is Nat McIntosh (trombone). Nat is a long-time member and composer for the phenomenal YOUNGBLOOD BRASS BAND. Nat continues to record and tour internationally with Youngblood.
The band also includes MAMA Award Winner Todd Phipps (keyboards, B3 organ) of THE BLUE OLIVES (and many other bands). Todd was recently honored with his addition to the roster of Hammond Organs endorsed artists!
Longtime Madison talent, Joe Niesen brings his super funky guitar playing and song writing to the band. Joe has a long history of performing with many of Madison’s finest bands.
Driving the band is ultra funky bassist Rob Garza. Rob is also a a longtime member of the Purple Veins Prince Tribute Band
The bands newest member is 2-time Grammy nominated drummer Joey B. Banks. Joey is a 5-time recipient of the MAMA Awards Drummer of the year as well as a highly accomplished music educator and former member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He has dedicated himself to preserving the legacy of his longtime friend and mentor Clyde Stubblefield. Joey can also be seen performing with the great Steely Dan tribute STEELY DANE.
Joey B. Banks is a music entrepreneur from Madison, Wisconsin.
He is a 2-time Grammy nominated drummer and also the 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020 Madison Area Music Association Drummer of the Year.
Joey B. is a graduate of the Musicians Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California and a proud Madison Scout Drum and Bugle Corps Alum, and Director and founder of the award winning youth ensemble Black Star Drum Line.
Joey B is a master percussionist that also specializes in Drum kit,Marching/Percussive Arts, Music Education, Artist Development and Artist/Band Bookings, and “talent seller” for his entertainment and promotions business, JBent Productions.
Our Vices hails from Metro Detroit. Starting in the spring of 2013, they have never strayed away from writing the most heavy hitting and melodic music possible. Releasing their first EP “Survive” in October 2014. This was their introduction into the music scene but they thought they had more to offer. They went into the studio with Mike Martenson of Boys Of Fall to create their second, more long form, EP titled “Polarity”. This EP gained them a lot of traction and new opportunities. Following this they wrote a slew of singles throughout 2017 and 2018 before choosing to switch producers. Late 2019 they stepped into the studio with Lee Albrecht. Releasing their first single with him in November 2019 titled “Deathwish”. After having a period of too much time on their hands (2020) they pumped out three new singles in the following years which eventually were compiled to create “The Fog” EP. Adding a new member to the band in 2022 gave a fresh perspective to writing. They’re gearing up to release new music in 2024 and hitting a city near you.
North Carolina shapeshifting, atmospheric, noise rockers WAILIN STORMS released The Silver Snake Unfolds on July 22, 2022 via Gilead Media. Following the bands highly acclaimed, breakthrough album, Rattle (2020) – which received praise from NPR, Brooklyn Vegan, Treble, PopMatters, Indy Week, and more, The Silver Snake Unfolds shows the band delivering eight new tracks – portrayed as a 40 minute, sepia-toned journey of captivating vignettes – manifesting wounded souls battling addiction, hopelessness, and a hellish storm of never ending and vengeful anxiety. Fuzzed-out, hypnotic guitars fused with angst and laced with overdriven microdoses of moody and psychedelic dreamscapes play out like a binge-worthy, cinematic obsession. Justin Storms’ serpentining and seductively poetic vocals lure you into a fever dream of vestiges laced with bittersweet, alluring danger. Fueled by the grit and dust of the American South, WAILIN STORMS reveals ghost-story-like confessions of mysticism, folklore, and survival.
Jake Racina’s unique songwriting and guitar playing blends jazz and folk with insightful lyrics, forging his own path between the territories of melancholy and humor. Heralded as a “world-class sad clown” with a “forlorn sense of timelessness”, Racina just might entertain you.
Kiki is currently a singer-songwriter and a producer based in Chicago specializing in a wide range of contemporary styles such as Jazz, R&B, Pop and Funk,with some of her influences being Wayne Shorter and James Brown. Winning a singing competition at the age of 10 is what drove Kiki to pursue music as a profession. A recent graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies, she credits her expansion of her musical journey to industry professionals such as Cheryl Wilson, amongst others. Thanks to her vigorous training and numerous stage experiences both with lead and background vocals, she landed a brief role as a background vocalist in the TV show Empire in early 2020.
“Learning how to sing is also about learning how to share your emotions and your stories to your audiences.” she says. With her sheer dedication, passion, faith and love for music, along with her upbeat and fun-loving personality, Kiki is translating that into her music journey.
