When Don Trip surveyed the music landscape a few years ago, he felt something substantial was missing. “Nobody’s giving you the full picture,” the Memphis rapper says. “We’re all human. We all go through different moods. Today we might be happy. Tomorrow we might check the mail and it’ll be all bills and your attitude’s totally different. My whole point is to show everything.”
So when Don Trip began recording material, he purposely focused on life’s highs and lows, on people’s triumph and pain, on our bliss and rage. One of his most powerful cuts was 2009’s “Letter To My Son,” witch details the pain he feels because he doesn’t get to see his son as much as he would like to. It’s an emotional, heartfelt song that documents the battle Don Trip was having with his child’s mother.
As a child growing up on the rugged East Side of Memphis, Don Trip never thought he’d be able to rap. He came from a fatherless household. His mother worked multiple jobs to take care of their family, which also included Don Trip’s brother and sister. By the time he was 15, Don Trip noticed that his family was falling apart.
So Don Trip turned to rap. He recalled the preteen rap duo Kris Kross, who emerged as platinum superstars in the early 1990s with fun raps. A child himself at the time, he was inspired that kid rappers with a lighthearted lyrical agenda could break through in the midst of the gangster rap renaissance.
As Don Trip started gaining clout in the underground Memphis rap scene, Memphis rappers such as Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat and 8Ball & MJG enjoyed a string of gold and platinum releases. The breakthrough 2005 film Hustle & Flow also documented the Memphis rap scene, further added to the city’s status in the rap world. All of this success made Don Trip believe in himself even more. Now there was a bona fide Memphis rap movement, something he could be a part of and emerge from.
Now that he has momentum, Don Trip is anxious to continue delivering the type of heartfelt material that has made him one of the hottest rappers today. “The more honest I am, the more open I am with exploring everything,” he says, “the more people will cling on and will be able to relate to what I’m saying.” Millions of people already do. Millions more will follow.
Fast forward a few years, he is refueled after a bad business partnership. Mr. Trip has returned, and is more driven than ever. With numerous projects to date, he plans to release his first ever studio album titled “Godspeed”, all with no major label, or any label for that matter. Stay tuned, he has so much more in store.
Guitarist extraordinaire – and one-time member of Muddy’s band – Rick “Junior” Kreher
MUTILATED BY ZOMBIES
Mutilated By Zombies is a powerful three piece metal band formed in 2008 in Dubuque, Iowa. They have self released 2 full length albums and have played many shows with the likes of Macabre, Jungle Rot, Black Tusk, Hemlock, etc….They are eager for new ears to feast upon so, listen to and indulge in Mutilated By Zombies!
Ron Fitzgerald, Master of the Dark Realm, is an Actor, Gothic Illusionist and Host for dark, sticky fun! Fitzgerald has appeared as an actor in the feature films “The Item”, “The Thirsting”, “Blood Gnome”, “MAGUS”, Arkham Sanitarium: Soul Eater and his own movie “Dark Realm” ,as well as others, with more on the way. Fitzgerald has also portraying Dracula in the campy “Dracula’s Orgy of the Damned” and is the voice of the creature in the Horror movie “BIO SLIME” (Formerly Contagion). Ron has co-written, co-produced and stars in his own feature film “DARK REALM” which is an award-winning, artistic blend of his stage show of Gothic Illusons and a Horror film narrative! Master Fitzgerald has performed from Hollywood to Hong Kong for numerous events and venues, which includes Fitzgerald being the only illusionist to ever close the second stage at Lollapalooza, with his wickedly fun, theatrical style of dark Illusion in his live show “Fitzgerald’s Realm of Magic”
Hailing from The Outer Rim Territories of Chicago comes Landspeeder, a four-piece Ewok n’ Roll band that will blister your heart with hyperspace guitar licks and sweet Sith harmonies.
TIME CRASH is equal parts hard-rocking space band and sci-fi dance explosion. Ronen Kohn, lead vocalist and wielder of the GuiTARDIS, brings clear, bright vocals which soar over the tightest rhythm section in the galaxy, with Andy Rice on drums, Michael Fye on bass, and Christopher Rice rounding out the ‘bigger on the inside’ sound of this WHOlly unique TROCK band.
Inspired by the stories and characters of Doctor Who, TIME CRASH formed in 2011 and has released an EP, Little Amelia, and their first full-length album, REGENERATION, with more to come!
Four dudes on a mission to play some righteous riffs, eat some tacos and document their exploits.
We play loud rock ‘n’ roll with a foundation of heavy riffs and twin guitar harmony interludes.
Wicked Soul is an original modern melodic hard rock band that performs in Nashville, Milwaukee and various Chicagoland venues & opened for John Corabi and Lynch Mob.
Comprised of seven indie rock musicians, with an affinity for twang, Gussied saw a shift happening in the world of music for hire. Music connoisseurs were not only wanting their favorite band to play their party, they were wanting nostalgia, romance and rebellion in a pretty packaged dance beat, to match their mason jar, country- chic wedding.
Upon meeting him, gangsta rapper isn’t the impression that most would get from buzzing Houston emcee, Maxo Kream, age 27. He has a surprisingly goofy and playful demeanor, often cracking self-aware jokes and displaying a smile which showcases either his gold grin or his trademark gap in the upper row of this teeth. But, make no mistake, Maxo’s backstory is a tale consisting of crime and death that would catch the attention of the most jaded followers of gangsta/trap rap.
Disaster Strikes is a political hardcore punk band from Boston, MA. Our new album ‘In the Age of Corporate Personhood’ is out now on Alternative Tentacles.
20 WATT Tombstone are Wausau Wisconsin’s hard touring death blues saviors
They have played hundreds of shows over the past few years, and are now looking at embracing European shores this summer. Fusing the sounds of ZZ Top with Kyuss by way of Robert Johnson and Black Flag, the band has continually outdone themselves since their formation in 2011.
The band built their name on the road, but it was a split with Left Lane Cruiser that propelled them to the next level. Now they seek to grow upon all of this and bring the entire stoner rock scene to a new frontier.
This is the sort of band who remain devout to their community no matter the consequences. The stoner rock underground has allowed them to make a living from this, and they are determined to give back.
Frontman Tom Jordan is even stepping in as an organizer of Wisconsin Doomed & Stoned Festival. Their DIY aesthetic has impressed fans across the world, all of whom are eager to see the band’s next steps.
This dedication has paid off in other ways too and won the band endorsements from Gretsch Guitars, Saluda Cymbals, Scorpion Drum Sticks, Lava Cables, SIT Strings and Rock Relentless Clothing.
With a dedication to writing good music and spreading their message across the globe, 20 Watt Tombstone refuse to give in.
Fresh off their first European tour the intrepid duo continually pushes for opportunities to show the world what they are made of, be that crucial opening slots or driving 16 hours to play a dive bar.
Remember – this is a group who records everything live in the studio. There’s no room to mess around in 20 Watt Tombstone. Instead they are doubling down on their live magic and are eager to delve ever deeper into this scene.
With loud guitars and a passion for the music what could go wrong?
Formed in 1991, Mustard Plug established itself as a hard-working independent band. The Grand Rapids, MI-based group, with the help of its label, the California indie ska-punk outfit Hopeless Records, repeatedly toured the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America. It made the rounds of two Warped Tours and participated in the Ska Against Racism tour. Mustard Plug began its career meagerly, releasing the cassette Skapocalypse Now! on its own Dashiki Clout label in 1992. (It would be re-released on CD by Dashiki Clout and Hopeless in 1998.) But the band’s proper debut, 1993’s Big Daddy Multitude, was backed by the seminal ska label Moon Records, which eventually went bankrupt. (The album was re-released by Hopeless after it signed Mustard Plug in the mid-’90s.) The CD pushed Mustard Plug into touring orbit, as they began playing a multitude of gigs. Just as ska-punk was moving into the mainstream, Mustard Plug sent Evil Doers Beware to stores in 1997. Selling more than 90,000 copies, Evil Doers was a collaboration between the band and punk legends Bill Stevenson (formerly of Black Flag) and Stephen Egerton, both of whom play in All and the Descendents. The same year, Mustard Plug quietly offered its skanking, rollicking take on the Verve Pipe’s maudlin alt-rock hit “The Freshmen” for a charity CD. The song generated such a buzz that it was met with radio play on major stations throughout the Midwest. Stevenson and Egerton returned to the boards for the Simpsons-referencing Pray for Mojo, which hit stores in 1999. Yellow #5 followed three years later, and Mustard Plug issued the hits set Masterpieces: 1991-2002 in 2005. “A punk band releasing a best-of album?” the band asked on its website. “Hey NOFX did it, so it must be OK!” In 2007, still showing no signs of selling out to the majors, the group released its seventh album, In Black and White, with the assistance of Hopeless Records. ~ Christina Fuoco, Rovi
MTV Europe Music Awards Nominee (Best Worldwide Act) & Vh1 Top 10 artist Oliver Sean’s music can best be described as ‘Feel Good Acoustic Rock with Soul’. The Singer/Songwriter thrived in the Goa, Dubai and the UK cultures as they acted as the backdrop to his youth, and the inspiration for his music. His discography with W.O.A. Entertainment began in 1999 with his single ‘There She Is Again’.
Oliver Sean’s media clippings have formed a career of their own. Since his career was launched in his teens, Oliver’s press clippings exceed several hundred features, snippets, and reviews in significant print and broadcast mediums. His brand of music is known for its pop influence with contemporary undertones. His debut album was nominated for ‘International Album of the Year’ by AVMax in 2003/04 along with albums by John Mayer, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Third Eye Blind.
Oliver Sean’s eclectic global music style is the trademark for his brand, and is as exotic as his Portuguese Goan Lineage. A self-taught musician, Oliver plays guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. However, it is his distinctive percussive guitar and powerfully seductive voice, which is his footprint on the music industry. His track record of being a hit songwriter is just one of his many assets defining him as a pillar in the music community. Oliver Sean is a member of the Recording Academy and a Voting Member for the prestigious Grammy Awards.
As a Record Producer and Filmmaker Oliver Sean has composed music for the French Government (Massif Region Tourism Campaign) & Goa Government (Republic Day Parade). He has also composed the soundtrack as a music director for a Bollywood Feature Film and the title track for a Regional Goan Feature Film. The singer songwriter is actively producing music for films and artists around the world and is a successful filmmaker with several music videos that he has Directed and Produced, regularly featured on Vh1 & MTV and also hosts his own nationally distributed radio show The WOAFM99 Radio Show.
Oliver Sean and his International Band are actively touring and performing worldwide and the Singer Songwriter is scheduled to launch his 4th studio album called ‘Devil in Blue Jeans’ on April 11th 2017 followed by his US Heartland tour in May 2017
Seven years ago Shaun began a project of his own. A story of his life, a contribution to the world of music from his eyes (and ears). In demand by many, Shaun took his time with the album as the story expanded to include a wider range of experience. And so, on July 7 we present to you SEVEN SUMMERS – a big chapter in the history of the great Shaun Martin. Seven Years. Seven Summers. Seven Seven.
Seven Summers is an album that was clearly well thought out; a refreshing feel in today’s world of instant production.
“I’d say that 7 Summers is a chronicle of growth in character and perspective. As I grew over the last seven years, I experienced so much and I wanted to translate that through the music and lyrics….” (Shaun Martin)
Forged from the working class streets of the South side of Chicago, The Decayed brings a blend of classic punk, hardcore, and thrash to obliterate the ears of their listeners. Made up of four veteran musicians, The Decayed brings about songs of isolation, annihilation, and determination with a blend of horror and gore storytelling. With an attention to detail and dedication, The Decayed brings extremely fast riffs, haunting melodies, and heavy breakdowns to form a perfect explosion of the senses.
GORGUTS, long-running Canadian craftsmen of technical death metal have returned! After more than a decade of silence, mastermind Luc Lemay unleashes “Colored Sands”, a new brand of pestilent fury featuring an all star line-up including John Longstreath (ORIGIN, SKINLESS), Colin Marston (BEHOLD THE ARCTOPUS) and Kevin Hufnagel (DYSRHYTHMIA). Few extreme bands have the pedigree of GORGUTS. During their early days as part of death metal’s first wave, they created a legacy of legendary releases including their debut album “Considered Dead” (1991) and its follow-up “Erosion of Sanity” (1993). The latter witnessed the Canadians becoming more experimental and technical. After a hiatus of five years, Luc Lemay returned with a new line-up, which released the acclaimed third full-length “Obscura” (1998). By then GORGUTS had fully transformed into one of the most progressive and influential bands in extreme music, which remained impervious to trends, while expanding and redefining the language of death metal. With a new line-up that left Lemay as the sole original member, another milestone album was released. On “From Wisdom to Hate” (2001) the Quebecois successfully merged the brutal and more direct approach of their earlier albums with the complex arrangements of “Obscura”. Just as GORGUTS seemed on the verge of making the first decade of the new century their own, the band was hit by business and personal issues and went on hiatus. Their musical legacy continued to inspire and thrive as their native Quebec became a focus for technical death metal with acts such as CRYPTOPSY, NEURAXIS and BEYOND CREATION to name but a few following in their footsteps. Now the masters are back to deliver the stunning masterpiece the metal world has been awaiting so long. Brace hard or get swept away by the mind blowing storm of “Colored Sands”!
The Chicago Jamaican Jazz Ensemble is an 8 piece ensemble that plays music in the tradition and style of early Jamaican Studio One dance bands. Before reggae, there was the celebratory music of independence in Jamaica. Music made for dancing, music that was Jamaican Jazz!
Drawing on musicians from Chicago’s diverse jazz scene the music honors tradition and looks to the future of the style. Many of the featured musicians are staples in the Chicago scene and can be heard with/on Swing Gitan, Fox’s Empire Series, Jennifer Hudson, The Drastics, and the Glen Miller Orchestra to name a few.
This is a one of a kind group in Chicago, this is the next generation, and we’re going back to the roots!
T. Murph is an Internationally known Comedian who has been featured on nationally syndicated shows such as Comedy Centrals Key & Peele, and the 2014 ReBoot of BET ComicView. During only four short years Murph has achieved a HUGE amount of success! In 2014 alone T. Murph was featured in the Comedy Central Sponsored New York Comedy Festival and also signed with a Los Angeles Based Talent Agency. T. Murph brought 2015 in with a bang reaching the Hollywood Finals for Shaq’s Next All Star and Headlining abroad in Dubai. This year you can catch T. Murph on Tour in a city near you and stay on the look out for new dates on T. Murphs International tour starting back in May of 2015. Anything else you’d like to know lets talk in person.
Marty Grimes should definitely be on your radar if you’re even minutely in tune with the pulse of the music industry. A budding talent coming from Berkeley, CA and an evolving prominent artist in the Bay Area’s rap scene. Influenced by his Northern California roots, Marty’s music embodies the lifestyle, slang and strut that the area is known for and that bred him. In addition Marty has released several introspective records revealing the details of his journey and ascension. Marty has achieved many feats since the launch of his professional career including the release of two albums Co-Executive Produced by longtime friend, & producer Kevin “KDE” Beggs to bring “Through the Smoke” and “Nobody Said It Was Easy” 2014 & 2015 respectively.
Marty has been featured on music’s premier online and print publications including, Billboard, Revolt TV, VIBE Magazine, The Daily Loud, Sway’s Universe and many more. In addition to achieving over 20 million total plays on SoundCloud; Marty has become accustomed to touring the road with his childhood best friend G-Eazy over the past six years gaining indispensable experience over that time period. Marty Grimes is focused on further expounding upon his brand and making unique music for his fans and supporters.
Walk Among Us is the only Punk Rock Piano Tribute to the Misfits! Classically trained pianist Sara VanLaningham formed the group in 2015, recruiting operatically trained vocalist/pianist Veronica Danko, good friend and guitarist/bassist Rob Pozen, and guitarist/drummer Nate Phillips. By using 2 pianos–one clean sound and one dirty/distorted sound (in lieu of guitars), a female vocal lead, 3-part harmonies, bass, and drums, Walk Among Us creates a sound that is both unique to the genre yet respectful of the Danzig and Graves eras of the Misfits catalogue. Each member of Walk Among Us, for many reasons, loves the Misfits and wishes to present this classic horror punk music in a new and fresh way!
“If I’m going to Hell, I’m going there playing the piano!” –Jerry Lee Lewis
Bedside Alibi is a hard rock band from Genoa, IL. With roots in both the blues and new acts such as Bullet For My Valentine and Avenged Sevenfold, they have taken the northern half of Illinois by storm.
Singer-songwriter, Kara Cavanaugh with Cornmeal‘s multi-instrumentalist, Philip Roach, perform Kara’s original music and captivating covers.
About the artists-
In the short time since Kara Cavanaugh has ventured into the Chicago music scene, the soulful, dynamic vocalist has accomplished more than most singers in a lifetime. Making a name for herself backing the nationally touring Grateful Dead tribute band Terrapin Flyer and Jerry Garcia Band alumni and organist, Melvin Seals, Kara stretches the genre with powerful performances and sultry lead presence.
It was only a matter of time before the charismatic vocalist sought to move out into the spotlight, fronting her own band to showcase her abilities as a songwriter and strengthen her solo performances. Currently in production on her first full length release, Kara Cavanaugh is poised and ready to introduce a side of her as yet unseen.
*****
Philip Roach began playing violin at age 5 and soon after was asked to perform with the nationally renowned Midwest Young Artists. During his time with that orchestra, he performed with his long time hero and fiddle great Mark O’Connor. His presence permanently influenced the course of Phil’s musical life, and he soon traveled down to Nashville to attend fiddle camps, where he received lessons from giants such as Vassar Clements, Darol Anger, and Mark O’Conner himself.
Phil then pursued a degree in classical violin performance, where upon graduating, he began a 3-year tenure performing with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestras, and Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Phil began recording session work in Chicago as an outlet for his love of improvisation, where he was featured on multiple recordings as a violinist, guitarist, and mandolinist for artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Company of Thieves. This led to meeting The Giving Tree Band and in 2009 he joined full time, performing hundreds of shows from coast to coast, as well as through Canada and Europe. He currently tours with the band, Cornmeal.
Powerful and energetic hard rock band. Aggressive, rock and jazz influenced guitars, funky bass lines; strong drums beat with lots of double bass kicking and a sexy, female, front woman with a broad vocal range.
Samothrace formed in early 2006 with the intent of writing heavy, blues-based doom with an emphasis on forging our own soundin the community. We released our debut album, “Life’s Trade,” in 2008 on 20 Buck Spin Records. Our 2nd album, “Reverence to Stone” was released July 2012. Heavy music for heavy times.
