The Matt Robinson Band is a folk rocking/roots rcok group based out of Chicago, IL. Their live shows are known for their dance-friendly good times vibe and have also been known to stretch their sons out and jam. They are an ambitious young group dedicated to the art of original music. In September 2008, Matt Robinson released his full length LP, entitled "Everybody Dreams Under Big Trees."
Some musical influences include Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Bob Dylan, WIlco, Iron and Wine, Ryan Adams, early Grateful Dead, Talking Heads, Radiohead, The Beatles, and Bob Marley.
Great American Taxi is ready to charge into 2009 with a new album on the horizon and some new members in the cab. In December of 2008 founding members Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon) and Chad Staehly brought their new line-up and a few special guests into Backbone Studio in Loveland, CO to record the next evolution to their “Americana without borders” brand of music. Filled with electric folk, alt-country, a dash of bluegrass and good ol’ rock and roll, Taxi has found their stride and sound. The latest version of Taxi includes Jim Lewin on electric guitar and vocals, Edwin Hurwitz on bass guitar and Chris Sheldon on drums and vocals. Barry Sless is also considered a member at large adding pedal steel and guitar when he can get away from his other gigs and jump into the Taxi.
The band has been led by Herman and Staehly since its’ inception for a Rainforest Action Group benefit show in March of 2005. Now approaching well over 400 shows, the band has kept a fairly busy schedule of 140 shows a year and has hit a lot of the premier music festivals along the way including High Sierra Music Fest, Wakarusa, Summer Camp, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Dunegrass, nightgrass slots at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the list goes .. a brief tour in fall of 2008 supporting Railroad Earth, the idea was hatched to have Tim Carbone (fiddle player from Railroad Earth) produce Taxi’s latest album, and it proved to be a magical marriage. Carbone also added some fiddle to a few tracks complimenting Taxi’s big sound which includes Herman’s acoustic guitar, Staehly’s rock and honky-tonk piano and organ work, Lewin’s west coast telecaster guitar assault, Hurwitz’s funky bass lines and Sheldon’s tasty percussive blend. Sless also added some pedal steel and guitar, and Carbone brought in a horn section and some gospel singers for a few tunes as well. This all supports Taxi’s original song-writing, which is also complimented by 3 part harmonies and strong lead vocals from four of the five members.
Great American Taxi’s sound has been compared to a variety of roots oriented bands including New Riders of the Purple Sage, a “Grateful Dead for the new millennium,” Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, The Byrds and more. People will hear threads of the Leftover Salmon fabric propelled by an inspired Herman being supported by a cast of talented minstrels ready to follow Herman to the land of ‘Festival!” Herman’s in-your- face, in-the-moment improvisation helps bring the party to Taxi’s well-crafted songs. People from all backgrounds will be able to latch onto something in the band’s sound. Great American Taxi is truly a melting pot of musical tastes and styles all rolled into their “Americana without borders.” Look for Taxi’s latest album to be released in March of 2009. Keep track of updates, tour dates and other news at www.greatamericantaxi.com .
After 10 years of sharing the stage with such National Blues artists as Blues Traveler, Walter Trout, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lil'Ed and the Blues Imperials,along with many others Mark and Chris Avey are now sharing the stage together, along with Bryan West on the drums as the AVEY BROTHERS BAND. Chris Avey's thick-toned vocal style,learned while he spent time as lead guitarist for internatioal blues star Big Pete Pearson in Phoenix Az. Chris, has been playing for 15 years and now fronts his own band with his older brother Mark on bass a veteren sideman in his own right Mark Avey (bass) has been playing for 15 years and was a finalist in the 2005 International Blues Challenge in Memphis , TN. appering on stages nation wide Bryan West (drums) has performed at the Metro and the House of Blues in Chicago and CBGB’s in New York . He has also recorded at Prince’s Paisley Park Studio in Minneapolis .
The current line-up has recently won the 2008 and 2009 Iowa Blues Challenge and are currently touring the Midwestern part of the country creating their own following of loyal fans and adding to their ever growing list of accomplishments. The Avey Brothers debut cd Devil in my Bed is now avalable on CMB Records and receiving airplay on blues stations through out the midwest Look for there new cd coming summer of 2009.
Originally from Alma, WI, TOMMY BENTZ (pictured) is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed and composed several album projects, commercials and recording sessions. In addition to owning and operating Brickhouse Music in River Falls, WI, (as well as a store in Eau Claire, WI) Bentz has recorded two albums of original music with his band, and has performed and shared the stage with the Temptations, Rufus Reid, Clark Terry, David Baker, Ira Sullivan, Willy Porter, Tim Mahoney and the Pat McGee Band.
The band has recently finished a third album "Point of View", featuring some of the newer tunes from their live shows and showcasing their tightly focused jams and diverse songwriting ability.
Some people have said some really nice things about the Tommy Bentz band:
"Tommy, in my opinion, is one of the area's premiere guitar players - his lead and style and presence is unique and amazing."
- Joe Gunderson, in charge of booking and promotions for The House of Rock, Eau Claire, WI.
"The Tommy Bentz Band was selected as Icelandair's 2nd Annual "Ticket to Fly" winner, as judged by The Pete Best Band. Best was the original drummer of The Beatles before Richard Starkey - a.k.a. Ringo Starr - signed on to keep the beat."
- from The Spectator (spectatornews.com)
The Andreas Kapsalis & Goran Ivanovic Guitar Duo are Chicago's finest acoustic instrumental guitarists. Now for the first time, steel string ten finger tapping guitar prodigy Andreas Kapsalis, and nylon string Balkan folk guitarist Goran Ivanovic are fusing their Serbian and Greek folk music roots with modern, classical, world, jazz and beyond in this experimental duo.
The Hue, an instrumental progressive rock quartet, strives to forge a wholly unique brand of electrified music out of a diverse palate of influences that run the gamut from jazz to metal, classical and post-rock.
As their blistering sound continues to evolve, the band constantly finds new ways to create action-packed songs that tell a story, even without lyrics. From tight progressive rock tunes and wild dance-till-you-drop numbers to expressive and melodious jazz pieces, a fiery dose of dueling guitars mix with the on-point rhythm section attack to reach explosive peaks.
Emerging out of a weekly stint at Chicago’s legendary Wise Fools Pub in January 2007, The Hue has played alongside some of the nation’s best acts including The Wood Brothers, Karl Denson, Garaj Mahal, New Monsoon, The Motet, The Breakfast, and members of Umphrey’s McGee. For the past two years they’ve brought their aggressive progressive fusion to venues across the Midwest, making stops at the 2008 Summercamp and 10,000 Lakes Festivals along the way.
To follow up their debut EP, Unscene, The Hue will release their first full-length album, Beyond Words, later this year. The album, which features keyboard virtuoso Eric Levy (Garaj Mahal) on one track, is comprised mostly of brand-new material, capturing the intensity of the band’s live shows while showcasing the strength of the compositions themselves.
TABS are a rock power trio formed in Rock Island, IL as a culmination of drummer Mark Leveling's funky beats, Stefan Johnsrud's gifted songwriting, and Alex Ilseman's screaming lead guitar. Influenced by the work of the Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Cream, and Black Sabbath, their original music carries on the spirit of those who have rocked before them. Whatever one wishes to call their music, TABS incorporate a rock solid groove and a youthful energy in their music that has not been seen since the late 1960s.
Eyes w/ Jesus is Angry & Pictures of a City, & Rootless Experience
Eyes is a soulful band hailing from East Moline. After releasing over thirty home-recorded projects in one year and honing their live sound sharing the stage with Teeth Mountain, Aids Wolf, and more, Eyes have recently released their debut album ‘Night Eyes.” ‘Night Eyes” is a musical exploration laced with intense psychedelic textures and danceable no wave rhythms. With a sound that has been described as “fiercely bizarre and hypnotic” this is sure to be an interesting show.
What began as a humble, but extremely fun project for the College Hill Arts Festival at the University of Northern Iowa in 1986 has evolved into a truly unique ensemble in the heartland of America. Over the past twenty years Alto Maiz has developed a large and faithful following of dancers and fans whose support has encouraged our efforts in the exploration of this wonderful music known, generically, as "salsa" and Latin jazz.
Early on much of our efforts involved "copying" tunes from records in an attempt to learn to play the music authentically. As the band has evolved, however, we've learned to trust our instincts by contributing more original material to our repertoire. As a result, much of the music represents our efforts in this direction and documents our twenty years of musical evolution.
Although we've been blessed to have had many excellent musicians pass through the band, the stability and longevity that has enabled us to develop has been possible because of the dedication of a core of musicians who have remained throughout the band's existence: Ed East, Jim Dreier, Dan Hummel, Brent Sandy, and Steve Grismore. And with the addition of Tom Barry, our meticulous sound man, the band made a quantum leap. I am very honored to be associated with this group of misfits and I thank them, as well as all of the band's personnel, past and present, for the opportunity to have experienced so much fun and camraderie.
We would like to dedicate our existence to all of the dancers and fans who have provided us with the encouragement and support to stay at it for twenty years. Here's to twenty more...
After playing in separate bands for years in Davenport, Iowa, Maylane came together in 2005 playing all around the area and releasing a self-titled debut album. The band's latest album, Boundaries, combines Jamey Cummins' unapologetic lyrics with powerful guitars to churn out a great rock record. With standout tracks like "Loose Lips Sink Ships," and "When Cells Divide," the music of Maylane appeals to indie rock fans and non-indie rock fans alike.
Band members of The Roadless are returning to their hometowns to play another great concert in the Redstone Room! These guys recently moved up to Chicago to play more gigs and gain a lot more fans. Last time they played the Redstone Room they rocked so hard they blew a transformer. This time, come see the FULL, rock filled show.
Local Alternative Rockers Head Held High will open the show!
July 19th, POLYRHYTHMS Third Sunday Jazz Matinee & Workshop Series present the Ken Chaney Trio with special guest Barbara Johnson, at the Redstone Room, in the RME on the corner of 2nd & Main, Davenport, IA. Polyrhythms’ effort to demystify jazz continues with a Workshop at 3 pm, followed by a matinee concert from 6 – 8 pm.
Rounding out the Ken Chaney Trio are jazz veterans Dan Shapira – bass and Robert Shye – drums, as well as the delightful vocal stylings of special guest Barbara Johnson.
Chaney, perhaps one of Chicago's finest, yet relatively "unknown" keyboardists plays sweet music without over exaggeration on each note. "He simply allows his fingers to softly glide across the 88s with his eyes closed, while producing such a vibrant and explosive sound. "
Ken Chaney began his music career as a teenager, playing with bands in his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. After a short stay in Detroit where he met and played with many
fine musicians, Chaney moved to Chicago where he studied composition at Roosevelt University and worked with jazz great such as Milt Jackson, Donald Byrd, Slide Hampton, Harold Land, Bobby Hutchison, Max Roach, Randy Crawford, Chet Baker, Clark Terry and many others.
Recently, Chaney worked in Poznan, Poland at the Made in Chicago Series with the Sax Summit, a group he developed for the Jazz Institute of Chicago of which he is a member of the Board of Directors. He is also a driving force behind "Young Natives" Student Jam Sessions, an open jam session for Chicago area elementary to college student jazz musicians.
Chaney has appeared and played in four movies, Trial Run, The Last Affair, Cold Justice and Hoodlums featuring Laurence Fishburne and Vanessa Williams. At present Ken is appearing in Jazz clubs and concerts throughout Chicago and the Midwest.
Admission to the workshop session is Free for Kids, $5 for adults. General admission for the 6 - 8 pm performance is $10 or $15 for reserved seating. For ticket information, call the RME: 563 326-1333, or Polyrhythms: 309 373-0790. For more information, visit our website: www.polyrhythms.org.
Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Series is made possible with major support of the Riverboat Development Authority, the Scott County Regional Authority, and the RME, as well as the support of Linqui Systems, the Doris & Victor Day Foundation, West Music, Davenport Clarion Hotel, KALA, IL Senator Mike Jacobs, Peeples Heating & Air Conditioning, DJ Mixxin Mel, QC United, and the Urban Professionals Group of the QC’s.
Doors 2pm • Show 3pm
• $10 or $15 for reserved seating
• Website
July 21 , 2009 Tuesday
Railroad Earth
BLUEGRASS/JAM/FOLK
Railroad Earth’s music is driven by the remarkable songs of front-man, Todd Sheaffer, and is delivered with seamless arrangements and superb musicianship courtesy of all six band members. They can jam with the best of them, but they’re not a jam band. They’re bluegrass influenced, but they use drums and amplifiers (somewhat taboo in the bluegrass world). RRE bristles about being lumped into any one “scene.” Not out of animosity for any other artists: it’s just that they don’t find the labels very useful. According to fiddle player Tim Carbone, “We use unique acoustic instrumentation, but we’re definitely not a bluegrass band – so that doesn’t fit. And I think the term ‘jam band’ probably refers more to the fans than to the band. I think these fans just like live music.” When the band does elect to “comment” on a song via an extended improvisation, they really cook – and have received the approval of no less than Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh, who knows a thing or two about jamming.
Railroad Earth started out in 2001, a bunch of talented friends interested in strumming some rootsy music together. It began rather informally, but then picked up the pace when their five song demo earned them a spot at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival that June. Taking advantage of the opportunity, they quickly recorded five more songs, combined it with their demo tracks and released it as their debut, 2001’s The Black Bear Sessions. That debut piqued the interest of Sugar Hill Records, who signed them and released two highly acclaimed albums, Bird In A House in 2002 and The Good Life in 2004.
Since then, they’ve cultivated a huge fan base, wound up by the band’s unique acoustic hybrid sound. Railroad Earth has come to thrive in a live setting; as evidenced on their 2006 live double album Elko (SCI Fidelity Records, 2006).
Amen Corner (SCI Fidelity Records, June 2008), the band’s fourth studio album, was written and recorded in the winter of 2007 at Sheaffer’s 300-year old farmhouse in the rural New Jersey countryside. Compared to the sterility and stress of a commercial studio—where the cost-clock ticks and the pressure of performing under a budget looms large—recording at home is like heaven on earth… and Amen Corner captures that feeling from beginning to end. “Normally,” Sheaffer explains, “you come home after six weeks on the road and jump into the studio, all frazzled because you don’t have much left in the tank. This time I feel like we’ve invited our friends into our living room and that’s basically how we recorded it." Amen Corner may be the early creative pinnacle of a gifted young band, and has all the makings of an Americana classic. It’s a collection of crisp and crafted Americana and acoustic roots sides that resonate in all the right places.
"Even in the new millenium, Railroad Earth's instantly classic sounding songs and timeless vocals could sound at home in any generation." (Felton Pruitt - XM Satellite Radio)
HoneyHoney are an alt pop duo based out of Venice, CA who released a 5‐song EP, Loose Boots last February. A Los Angeles Times review of the bands live show stated, “a collaboration between guitarist Ben Jaffe and singer/fiddler/banjoist Suzanne Santo that expands to a quartet for their live shows. Honeyhoney’s set… featured folk rock with a whole spice rack emptied in… Santo’s voice, the fun arrangements and interesting instrumentation (was that banjo/electric guitar/synth on one song?) made it very compelling. “
HoneyHoney stayed very busy in the spring of 2009, lauching a load of tour dates supporting both Rocco Deluca and Gavin DeGraw. The duo also swept into SXSW in March for thier first appearance there and since have been showing up all over the place. Currently the video for the band’s single, “Little Toy Gun” is in rotation on FUSE and VH1. The track is receiving much support across the board at Hot AC, AAA and Alternative radio. The October 28th digital release will be accompanied by the highly coveted iTunes featured "Video of the Week" slot for the single "Little Toy Gun" as well as the Video of the Day on AOL Music today. This is the music video directorial debut of Ironworks Music co‐owner Kiefer Sutherland who also appears in the clip. “Little Toy Gun” is the first single off the band’s debut full length cd, First Rodeo, and their second single, “Black Crows” was released shortly after.
In effort to screw away from the boring norm, honeyhoney members Ben and Suzanne have created a bio for themselves with a little twist. Inspired by the band Tenacious D and 70's game shows, they have decided to engage in a "Friendship Test" format: Ben will be answering for Suzanne and Suzanne will be answering for Ben. Here are some sample questions to learn more about this compelling duo:
1. What is your musical background?
BEN: Suzanne learned how to sing from musical theater and was obsessed with Mariah Carey and Disney cartoon movie soundtracks. She sang "Part Of Your World" as her fifth grade choir solo while wearing a fin.
SUZANNE: I believe it to be true that Ben Jaffe came out of the womb crying as most babies do, except his crying had rhythm and incredible pitch. In his adolescent years, young Jaffe started off in the percussion realm, playing the drums in various jazz bands and being way too cool for his age. He also had a mentor named Randy Kaye who taught him about the importance of the sounds he was creating.
5. How would you describe your music?
BEN: Suzanne would say something along the lines of "Rocktastic" or "Freeky Deeky"
SUZANNE: Ben would say that we are basically pop music.
6. What/who are your influences?
BEN: I think Suzanne sounds like a mix of Billy Holiday, Chrissie Hynde, and Jack Black.
SUZANNE: Ben's influences are D’Angelo, Gershwin, Randy Newman, Brian Wilson and Satan.
......To view more comentary from this corky duo, visit their website, listed below.
PAPER BIRD, a 7 piece americana/folk/jazz group from Colorado, will open the show for HoneyHoney. You can check them out at www.myspace.com/paperthebird and proceed to become fans. "With guitar, banjo, and trombone backing joyous harmonies, the folk orchestra cuts softly but surely through indie-rock coolness. Paper Bird's debut CD Anything Nameless and Joymaking, came out last year, and it deftly captures the warmth and wonder of the band's stage presence." -The Onion A.V. Club
TICKETS for this show will be available on Friday, July 3rd at the River Music Experience and at any Ticketmaster location. Tickets are only $10 so pick them up and get two new bands added to your playlist.
The Afterdarks (Quad Cities, IL) have been around since 2003. With 7 cds under our belt, they pride themselves on being an All American, working class’, graveyard diggin’ rock-n-roll band.
Brother Trucker’s tales from nowhere carry weight. Good songwriters have an eye for detail but use nuance to tell a deeper, bigger story. Andy Fleming, singer-songwriter-guitarist for the veteran Des Moines roots-rock band Brother Trucker, is one of those writers. His band’s long-awaited fourth album, “The Flyover,” includes 12 gripping tales of the homeless, the forgotten, the loveless, the widowed, the refugee, the dysfunctional, the marginalized and the borderline criminal. Each one has an ounce of truth. Each one speaks to the kindness and cruelty of humanity. “These characters have been with me for all our albums, but on this one I wanted to have them relate,” said Fleming. “They’re people of the Midwest — either characters I’ve met through gigging, or work or through conversations anywhere.”
Over the years, experiences gave Fleming insight into the struggle of everyday people and taught him the value of championing them in his songs. “It’s our soul,” he said. “It’s who we are. It’s important to show that, particularly if you’re from the Midwest because you’re not going to see yourself on television.
Though Fleming’s lyrics are often at the forefront of discussions about Brother Trucker, the band’s sonic template brings them to life. Fleming credits guitarist Mike Fitzpatrick, bassist Lyle Kevin Hogue and session musicians, drummer Matt Winegardener and keyboardist David Zollo for helping to set the tone for each song. “I credit the Brother Trucker sound to Mike and Lyle. I’ve known Mike since I was 6, and he’s an understated journeyman who can play a lot of styles but it comes out Fitzpatrick. And Lyle has always been the voice of taste and the barometer of cool.” Fleming said. “Matt’s a dear friend and he brought a sonic lift to the album, and Dave has always been like a fifth member of the band.”
Collectively, Fleming said, Brother Trucker hopes that the realism and messages of “The Flyover” resonate with listeners because it contains something they can identify with. “I hope that after people listen to the record, they have a sense of themselves and a better idea of the people around them,” Fleming said. “The Midwest’s got soul.”
-- Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com February 2009
There is a movement taking place across America of young people who are redefining the church of Jesus Christ. Surrender is putting a sound to that movement. Birthed out of the Midwestern Quad Cities area, Surrender seeks to reconcile this generation and generations to come with Jesus by uniting the timeless message of His love with the music of today. With roots deeply planted at the Rock Church of the Quad Cities, Surrender is committed to seeing the lost and broken find hope and purpose through the cross on a local and global level.
The heart of this powerful foursome evolved from a passion for music combined with the reality of God’s grace. “While churches and ‘Christians’ all around us are chasing the world around with the rod of condemnation, we have taken hold of the truth that God doesn’t chase us with a hand of judgement,” says Austin Vallejo, singer/songwriter of Surrender, “but rather with goodness and mercy. He’s waiting for us to turn to Him for comfort and direction.”
While Surrender and Rock Church are seeking to unite their local community on a multi-cultural and inter-denominational level, they hope to see their vision expand with the release of their upcoming self-titled debut album. The project will feature all songs written and performed in front of a live crowd at the Redstone Room.
Curtis Salgado has a lot to celebrate. Two years ago he was diagnosed with liver cancer and told he had eight months to live, unless he got a liver transplant which would generate medical bills upwards of half a million dollars. With no health insurance and few funds, the man who is one of America's finest blues/soul singers needed a little help from his friends. When your friends and admirers include the likes of Steve Miller, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, you've got a fighting chance. Numerous benefits were held in multiple cities including a benefit concert featuring Miller, Cray, Taj Mahal, The Phantom Blues Band, Everclear and Little Charlie & The Nightcats.
Through the generosity of Curtis's friends, fellow musicians, the Legendary Blues Cruise and thousands of fans who supported Curtis by attending benefits and auctions or by making private donations, upwards of half a million dollars were raised and Curtis got his transplant, though there were a few twists and turns in the road before that happened. A little less than two years after his initial diagnosis, Curtis was able to record Clean Getaway, an album whose title has an obvious double meaning. With its release on July 8, 2008, Clean Getaway is a triumph in more ways than one, a sublime collaboration with the most respected session players in Los Angeles that goes to the heart of what music--and life--is all about.
Clean Getaway, produced by Marlon McClain & Tony Braunagel, is a seamless mix of blues, soul and rock 'n' roll all held together by the organic grooves of world class musicians and Curtis' superlative singing. He has a gift of digging into the essence of a song without histrionics or gratuitous displays of vocal chops--though he certainly has more than enough of those.
Focus Group has been surviving as a band for 3 years. Originally a collection of five members, university has reduced them to four. This apparent set back has proved to be a blessing in disguise, forcing Focus Group to switch instruments during shows, involve more complicated electronics and to try and compensate for the lost energy of an A.D.D. drummer. Despite their loss, they have thrived. They are building a following of faithful Austin fans and have begun reaching to San Antonio and San Marcos to try to expand this base. Focus Group are an eclectic collection of musicians with backgrounds spanning from classical tutelage to turn-table troubadour.
With influences ranging from Frank Zappa to Chopin, Falcon Buddies are an experimental/progressive/psychedelic band from Texas. Here's what some other people have to say about their music.
"The album is truly a multi-instrumental art pop electronic explosion of psychedelic fuzzed-out garage rock which could easily be a blender frappe of Guided By Voices, Flaming Lips and Yeasayer... A great album to listen to while trying to gain inspiration for an unconventional painting or drawing."
NEWSTREAMZ//TRAVEL BY MAGNET EP REVIEW
"Just before embarking on a show tour of California, the Falcon Buddies gave KTSW listeners a truly experimental live studio set. A distinct guitar sound in addition to simple creativity in musical structure sets this progressive rock act apart from any other local group I’ve come across. There aim to conjure depth in their songs becomes a unique experience to wrap your mind around. The imaginative style of this group also deserves support for their improvisational skills which they displayed during our on-air session.”
KTSW 89.9FM//BEN GRIMM
Colorado’s YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND, known for its high-energy, improvisational live shows, released a live album back in the fall of 2008 on the band’s own Frog Pad Records. This album marked the 5th volume in their lauded series of live albums, Mountain Tracks. Blending bluegrass and rock with traditional instrumentation (guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo), Yonder has pioneered a sound that is their own over the past ten years as a band.
Yonder first came together in October 1998 over a growing love for bluegrass that quite unexpectedly brought the four players together during a free-for-all jam session at The Verve, a bar outside of Boulder, in 1998. Once they met, they knew they were onto something. “It was an eye-opening experience because we heard a unique sound,” says Johnston. “Something coalesced that night.”
Emphasizing song craft and unafraid to push its boundaries, things began snowballing quickly. In 1999, the band debuted with Elevation, produced by Grammy-winning dobro player Sally Van Meter and released (like each of its ensuing studio discs) on their own Frog Pad Records. Yonder Mountain returned in 2001 with Town by Town, helmed by Grammy Award winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Tim O’Brien. Van Meter was back behind the boards for the 2003 set Old Hands, a concept album of sorts that featured the
songwriting of Benny “Burle” Galloway. Featured on the evocative tunes about cowboys, miners and all sorts of hard-livin’ Western folk were O’Brien, lauded fiddleman Darol Anger (Bela Fleck, David Grisman Quintet, Vassar Clements) and dobro player Jerry Douglas (Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris). In between those studio discs, the band released Mountain Tracks Volume 1-IV, issued on Frog Pad Records, and each capturing the energy of its increasingly popular live shows.
With little radio support, Yonder Mountain has become one of the fastest rising touring bands in the country, its fanbase having ballooned over the past five years through steady gigging and high-profile festival sets, all of which are full of improv and none of which feature the same set list. “Now that we’re maturing as performers, our improvisation is more beholden to playing with good tone, good feel, good timing,” says Johnston. It can’t be understated just what the band has achieved with that untraditional banjo/bass/mandolin/guitar line-up. Using bluegrass as its bedrock, the band has grown like few rock bands even do these days. “It’s funny,” says Austin. “But now we’re selling out Red Rocks in Denver, just 40 miles from where we became a band.” Last year, we played before 700 people in Atlanta and we recently sold-out a 3,000 seat venue there!” Added Kaufman, “ I think there’s just something about the banjo that makes people feel good.”
Mountain Tracks: Volume 5, a double-disc CD featuring the unreleased and in-demand live show from Columbus, OH at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (July 21, 2007) truly captures this sound. It also features a compilation disc of the best live tunes handpicked by the band from the past couple of years. As bassist Ben Kaufmann notes, “it’s a ‘through-the-years’ set of music” with the material ranging from 2004 through 2007. The compilation album has been sequenced so that it recreates the flow of an actual live show. It connects all the key elements of a live Yonder show: the fans, the music, the band and the energy.
“[This album] probably represents us more than any other record we’ve done,” states Aijala,
“because it incorporates more of our musical influences than ever before. It’s a really cool
thing to be a part of and I’ll never take for granted just how lucky we are to do what we do. It
makes me more excited for the future.”
Three minutes with Andrew Landers is time well spent. He speaks his truth with creativity, texture, soul, and wit in music that ranges from acoustic folk simplicity to blues-rock intensity. Andrew Landers world is full of metaphor and meaning. His songs have no place for superfluous embellishments or throwaway lines, his world is honest, clever, and profound.
A guitar player whose percussive and melodic style is an experience in itself. Alternate tunings and cut capos find tonal textures you have never heard before.
His voice is filled with conviction and passion.
Andy permeates his music—challenging you to deepen your love for fellow sojourners and acknowledge how desperately we need each other on these broken roads. He is unafraid of complicated topics and looks beyond the easy sentiment. Andrew enters into depravity and finds the hope.
Andy believes, “Good music touches the core—both of culture and of the soul.”
With this belief, he crafts his music without compromise—bravely navigating the listener through the struggles of life to a better place. So whatever venue you may find him in, one thing is for certain—after seeing and hearing Andrew Landers, you will not look at life the same way.
The Atlanta-based quintet breaks new ground and addresses new challenges on its latest album, Graffiti the World. The collection is truly the work of combined contributions from each individual member of the band. “It’s five people getting together and trying to do the music that they want to hear,” says front man Danny Alexander. “Everybody contributed. You always have a vision of what you want to do and it never really comes out the way you plan it, but the end result is really good. You’re just constantly trying to put out what you feel.” The final result of their combined efforts evokes a more positive and inspired feeling to the record.
Formed in the late ‘90s, pioneering mash-ups of scorching rock and searing rap, Rehab released its debut album, Southern Discomfort in 2000, filled with an array of guest stars including Cee–Lo, Goodie Mob and Cody Chestnutt. The album spun off the top 15 modern rock hit “It Don't Matter” and sold over 140 thousand units. This success enabled the band to kick off a 2 year national tour supporting the Vans Warped Tour and bands like Kotton Mouth Kings and Linkin Park. Then, three years ago, in the wake of diverging creative, personal and financial points of view, the group splintered. While facing down his own personal demons, Danny brought together a new version of the band, which has delivered, Graffiti the World. “I did a lot of observing and lyrically sat down for a while and thought about what was going on around me, what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it,” Danny says. “This album is a documentary of the station you are in life and trying to get to the next area or stop.”
The musical muscle of Rehab comes from four long–time professional musicians. Lead guitarist, Mike Hartnett, is a veteran of Atlanta studio sessions with vast credits that include Pink, Outkast, Nelly, Killer Mike, and many more. He’s known Danny since 1998. “Once he left the old group, we reworked songs, then wrote new ones,” Mike recalls. “And everyone had more to say about what they wanted in the production.” Danny says of his longtime friend, “We kind of call him the alien — you can’t ever tell what’s going on in his mind. He talks in word association. He’ll speak back at you in some crazy trip. He’s one of the best guitar players in Georgia; you never get the same solo twice. Anchoring down the bottom are bassist Hano Leathers and drummer Chris Hood. “Hano, to me, is the backbone of the whole operation,” Danny says of the bass player, a founding member of rock bands Prozak and Belloch. “He's logical, which is fitting because he’s a bass player. He plays the whole groove and pulls everything together. He’s also a very good businessman, and awesome human being and he plays hell of a bass.” Danny is especially fond of Chris, a veteran of several Athens, GA bands over the past decade, including: The Sounds of Motown, Aftermath, and Atomic Cafe. “He’s a six foot five man–child, a real nice personality. He’s almost innocent, and has no idea of malice. He can say things so honest sometimes, he blows people off their feet. And he’s really talented as a drummer.” Last, but hardly least, there’s rhythm guitarist Foz, who’s worked in the past with World Soul, Soybase, Ying-Yang Twins, Lil’ Jon, and Bonecrusher. He rates as the group’s bonafide rock star, and every band should have one. “He’s got that whole attitude down,” Danny says. “He’s definitely a conqueror.”
With such a powerful line-up in place, it’s no surprise that Danny was inspired as he’s never been before. “These guys have really come up when I was down and picked me up. I’m thankful for it.” The songs on Graffiti the World reflect that newfound creative wellspring. “A lot of time, I’ve been guilty of over–thinking things, trying to say the right thing so much, I’ve come off a little judgmental,” Danny admits. “I hope I never sounded like that because I want to make positive stuff that people can relate to and feel good about. I don’t want plant ugly thoughts in people’s heads, there’s enough of that going around.”
The album’s title track looks for those life affirmations in street art. The song was influenced by, of all things, Simon & Garfunkel and their line in “Sounds of Silence” about “the words of a prophet written on a subway wall.” Other songs on the album include “Last Tattoo,” “Bump,” and “Running Out of Time,” all produced by Hartnett. Also, one of Danny’s favorites, “This Town,” is filled with irony, considering he left his own hometown in order to confront his demons and what made him tick. He says of the track, “It's really close to what my ideal of style of music is for me...Rehab music.” For Rehab, Graffiti the World is a band’s bid to cover the world with special sounds, seeking the dark and light within, asking questions and perhaps, sometimes, finding the right answers. And Danny says he knows well he can’t do that alone. Along with the help of not only his band members, he collaborated with A–list producers/mixers Billy Hume, whose credits include the Ying Yang Twins, David Banner, and Bonecrusher, and Phil Tan whose worked with the Neptunes, Snoop, and Mariah Carey.
TICKETS go on sale on FRIDAY, JUNE 26TH at 10am via Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, and will also be available at the River Music Experience.
Doors 8pm • Show 9pm
• $16 in Advance / $18 Day of Show
• Website
August 20 , 2009 Thursday
The Wood Brothers
BLUES / FOLK / ROCK
Oliver and Chris Wood grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Sons of a Poet and a Microbiologist, they both took up music. Oliver moved to Atlanta and became a southerner. Chris moved to New York City and became a Yankee. Now, after years of musical and geographical separation they have reunited.
While in Atlanta, Oliver soaked up the roots of blues, the soul of the south, and found he had a talent for writing and singing songs. His band, King Johnson (named after Freddy King and Robert Johnson) toured mostly in the southern states. Meanwhile, Chris was living in Manhattan playing everything from free jazz to rock and roll. This is where he met his band mates to form Medeski Martin & Wood.
Now The Wood Brothers have begun a collaboration that combines their shared childhood influences with everything they've learned since leaving home. Their music has a rootsy feel that blends blues, folk, and rock music in a guitar/bass duo.
The brothers’ new album, "Loaded" produced by John Medeski, was released on Blue Note Records, April 1, 2008.
Tickets to the Wood Brothers go on sale on Friday, June 19th, and are available at any Ticketmaster location, Ticketmaster.com, or by coming in to the RME and purchase your tickets in Mojo's Cafe.
Since the band performed for the first time on Feb. 3, 1990 at Rascals in Moline, the band has received the following awards and recognition...
1994 Q. C. Times Reader's Choice for Favorite Musician/Band
1995 Oil Music Magazine People's Choice for Blues Band
1996 Q.C. Times Readers' Choice for Best Musician/Band
1996 River Cities Reader "Best Award" for Local Blues Band
1997 Q.C. Times Reader's Choice Award - Favorite Local Band
1997 River Cities Reader "Best Award" for Local Blues Band
1997 River Cities Reader "Best Award" for Local Band
1998 Q.C. Times Reader's Choice Award - Favorite Local Band
2000 Dispatch/Argus Reader's Choice Award - Favorite Local CD Release
2003 River Cities Reader "Best Award" for Local Blues Band
2004 River Cities Reader "Best Award" for Local Blues Band
2005 River Cities Reader "Best Award" for Local Blues Band
2006 River Cities Reader "Best Award" for Local Blues Band
The Ellis Kell Band has been featured on THE HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO HOUR and THE RED ROOSTER LOUNGE - nationally syndicated radio shows. ELLIS KELL He has opened shows and shared the stage with... B. B. KING, ROBERT CRAY, WILLIE NELSON, LITTLE FEAT, DELBERT McCLINTON, JIMMIE VAUGHAN, ETTA JAMES, J.GEILS & MAGIC DICK'S "BLUESTIME JAM", JOHNNY WINTER, EDGAR WINTER, TOWER OF POWER, JUNIOR WELLS, BO DIDDLEY, SAFFIRE, FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, EDDIE "THE CHIEF" CLEARWATER, BTO, JIM SCHWALL, JOANNA CONNOR, SMOKEY WILSON, THE NEVILLE BROTHERS, CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE, ALBERT COLLINS, JOHN MAYALL, LONNIE MACK, PATRICK HAZELL, THE BLUE BAND, SHANNON CURFMAN, PHYLLIS & THE SHARKS
Well, the awards and resume speak for themselves - you don't want to miss the best blues band around!
**Tickets go on sale 6 weeks ahead of show date for RME members, 4 weeks ahead of time for the general public
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