North Indiana Allstars
North Indiana Allstars featuring Jake Cinninger (Umphrey's Mcgee), Joel Cummins (Umphrey's McGee), Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addciton/Porno for Pyros), Tony Franklin (The Firm/David Gilmore), Willie Waldman (Snoop Dog/Tupac), Kris Myers (Umphrey's McGee) plus special guests.
EOTO
Official website: eotomusic.com
Jason Hann and Michael Travis (percussionist and drummer from the band The String Cheese Incident) make up this 100% improvised live Breakbeat/ House/ Drum n Bass/ Trip Hop project. Drawing from the ethos of some of the great DJ's and computer artists of the world, they use cutting edge technology to create truly original and melodic dance music in the moment, with the undeniable power of live drums. The music is all created on the spot, recorded, then mixed and remixed LIVE to create an ever evolving musical experience. Since the project is 100% improvised, every night promises to be a unique dance experience. Hann and Travis play different roles in this band than in SCI. Jason plays the drum kit, percussion and sampler, while Travis is in charge of the tonal elements, playing bass, guitar, keyboards, as well as hand percussion and live mixing.
New Monsoon
Official website: newmonsoon.com
San Francisco’s rock quintet, New Monsoon, has been transforming audiences across the country into dedicated fans with a relentless touring schedule. Their exhilarating marriage of acoustic and electric instruments comes together in an irresistible blend of sophisticated songcraft, inventive musical exploration and down home rock-n-roll. The band’s just released album New Monsoon V was produced, mixed and engineered by John Cutler, best known for his production work with The Grateful Dead on the platinum album In the Dark (co-produced with Jerry Garcia) and Without a Net (co-produced with Phil Lesh) and the Jerry Garcia Band’s How Sweet It Is. Jambase raves that “New Monsoon V moves with muscular dexterity, avoiding overplaying at every turn, always serving the songs and one another in a way only thousands of shows and countless hours of woodshedding can produce.” New Monsoon was conceived when Penn State friends Bo Carper and Jeff Miller reconnected in northern California. Carper's rootsy acoustic finger style as foil for Miller's inspired melodies, the pair sowed the seeds of the New Monsoon sound. During the recording of the band's first album Hydrophonic, the band tapped long-time east coast friend Phil "The Pianimal" Ferlino for keyboards. Blown away by the project, Ferlino immediately moved to San Francisco and joined the band on-stage at the 2001 High Sierra Music Festival. Strong vocals and harmonies, electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin, bass and keyboards, unify the musical styles of New Monsoon's influences, which are as diverse as rock gods Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Santana, bluesman Mississippi John Hurt and world music pioneers Tito Puente, Shakti and Peter Gabriel. New Monsoon's music is an experience of textures, rhythms, ideas and moods. New Monsoon V is the culmination of years of touring, collaboration, heart, soul and love and respect between the band and its fans. New Monsoon has played a laundry list of major music festivals, from Bonnaroo to Summerfest and in January 2007 they played to a sold-out Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. As Miller recently stated, “One thing about our scene is people are still going out to support live music. God bless them for it." In this age of digital music and file sharing, the fact the band’s live performances matter so much to the band and its fans is a testament to New Monsoon’s musicianship and passion.
Cornmeal
Official website: cornmealinthekitchen.com
Cornmeal continues to forge a path all their own, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. Steeped in the tradition of musical acts such as Old and in the Way, John Hartford, and New Grass Revival, Cornmeal has proven to be an influential presence in the world of roots music. Cornmeal has consistently evolved its sound and stage performance using bluegrass as a springboard for long improvisational work and songs ranging from country, rock and blues to jazz, funk and disco.
Family Groove Company
Official website: familygrooveco.com
Family Groove Company is a four piece band from Chicago that is turning heads and catching ears with a sound that is uncannily fresh, and live performances that simply envelop audiences in the fun, excitement and passion that the band radiates from the stage. Growing audiences everywhere FGC plays attest to the impact the band is beginning to make, as they bring the excitement of their live performances to ever growing venues, in more and more cities across the country. Appearances at most of the Midwest’s major music festivals (Summer Camp, 10,000 Lakes, Summerfest) have helped along the way, headlining appearances at other festivals (Farmapalooza, Feel Good) point to the great things to come, and the over 25,000 live CDs that have been distributed all over the country speak for themselves. Family Groove Company is a band that music fans should not miss. FGC integrates the groove sensibility developed by funk/jazz crossover artists like Herbie Hancock and Medeski, Martin, and Wood, with thoughtful, tight song writing that takes cues from the likes of Steely Dan and the Beatles. The result? An infectious, fresh sound the band calls "groove informed jazz/rock." In April 2006, FGC released their second studio album, The Charmer, and delivered on this sonic vision with uncommon clarity and excitement. Jazz harmonic ideas encounter thick grooves, and improvisation negotiates tight song writing, as each track brings shape and contour to the band’s sound. A fierce attentiveness to composition complements FGC’s passion for improvisation, and the band offers a sound that captivates audiences ranging from the most casual music fan to the most critical musician.
56 Hope Road
Official website: 56hoperd.com
56 Hope Road is a band bonded like a family, and as a result, their music has an unmistakable honesty and openness. Uncanny, intuitive communication creates an easy interplay on stage, making even the most layered tunes sound effortless. They allow the joy of spontaneous creativity to color their song-based arrangements - neither losing their musical center, nor restricting its growth. The music is acoustic funk at its finest with sounds reminiscent of G-Love and Special Sauce, Richie Havens, MMW, Grateful Dead, Paul Simon and Gomez. This Chicago-based “acoustic funk explosion” is known for clever songwriting, lush vocal harmonies and one of the tightest rhythm sections on the scene. Formed in 1999, 56 Hope Road is made up of vocalist/guitarist Dave Hamilton, drummer Greg Fundis, upright bassist Chad Sanders, saxophonist Casey Fitzpatrick, and often augmented by vocalist Anne Katzfey, and percussionist Matt Katzfey. 56 Hope Road was recently announced the #1 Road Warrior Band by the renowned online musical resource, JamBase.com as well as HomeGrown Music Network, gaining national attention for their energetic live shows and relentless tour schedule totaling 440 shows throughout 2006 and 2005. Rising stars on the festival scene and national touring circuit, 56 Hope Road has appeared at High Sierra Music Festival, Summercamp, 10,000 Lakes, Wakarusa and has supported a variety of national artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Page McConnell of Phish, Tom Cochrane and Red Ryder, ekoostik hookah, Umphrey's McGee, Tea Leaf Green, Devon Allman, Spyro Gyra, Verve Pipe, Bob Schneider, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, Drums and Tuba, Campbell Brothers, Jazz Mandolin Project, The Samples, and DJ Le Spam. 56 Hope Road has released 3 full-length records and sold close to 10,000 units on their independent label Albino Deer Records working with such industry moguls as GRAMMY nominated engineer and producer Rick Barnes (Smashing Pumpkins, Liquid Soul), Steve Albini (Nirvana), and Mark Rubel (Hum and Poster Children). 56 Hope Road is set to release their 4th full-length album due out in July 2007. Their songs have been featured regularly on Sirius Radio Channel 17 Jam_ON, as well as WXRT Chicago, United Airlines Radio, various college and community radio stations across the country, National Public Radio, the soundtrack to “A Place in France,” in an upcoming film “Road to Woodstock,” and a Fox Sports Net Pilot/Warren Miller production “Destination Wild.” The name 56 Hope Road pays homage to the positive influence Bob Marley's message and music has on the world.
Zmick
Official website: zmick.com
Zmick is a progressive/live improvisational band that was born in the heart of Urbana, Illinois. Their music encompasses elements of jazz, progressive rock, reggae, electronica, funk, metal, Latin and world music. Zmick writes music with the intent of bringing people together and giving them an opportunity to dance, sing, laugh and bond with other music lovers. It's about building a community where live music appreciators can come together and have a good time.
Chicago Farmer
Official website: chicagofarmer.com
Cody is a folk-singer's folk-singer and a poet's poet. He was born and bred in Delavan IL, population 25, surrounded by the endless skies of the American Midwest. Before moving to Chicago in 2003, Cody tried his hand at sessions in Nashville and carefully hewed and tested his art in college town bars and honky-tonks around the Midwest. He now plays regularly in the city and it's not uncommon to see whole rooms full of strangers erupt and sing along to the choruses of his songs on their first listen (I've seen it happen). Cody's voice is powerful and gritty, emotionally piercing while subtly imbuing additional layers of meaning and poignancy in his lyrical delivery. His song-writing is deeply rooted in the American Folk tradition and all of its grit but with a post Dylan sense of wit, perspicacity and that certain savior-faire. He didn't go to college but he drank all of their beer. Every folk-singer has to migrate to the city, in a way it seems to be hidden in definition of a folk singer anymore. Cody has come to remind Chicago that it is in Illinois. And to remind the rest of the world that when Louis Armstrong redefined, some say invented the art of Jazz in the 1920's he brought his Hot Fives to Chicago to do it. When Robert Johnson wanted to put his Mississippi Mud on wax, his hellhound chased him to Chicago to do it. And same like, Cody has come to Chicago to deliver what it needs, when it isn't even sure itself. He is currently recording a collection of songs from his vast back-catalog and performing across the heartland.
Creek Road Ramblers
Official website: myspace.com/creekroadramblers
A progressive-minded old-timey string band working to integrate a wide variety of roots styles into a cohesive and authentic acoustic experience. Playing over 125 shows from Louisville to Lawrence in 2007, the Ramblers are set to bring it all back to their favorite hometown festival.
Brainchild
Official website: myspace.com/brainchildjam
What style of music are they? Brainchild is a band that combines the feeling of jazz/soul with the intensity of shredding guitar solos. Their growing list of original songs combined with a diverse selection of covers are a perfect blend of many styles of music. The best way to describe the sound is Brainchild. They are an up and coming band that's out to melt your face. Recently they have been traveling the mid-west rocking out with bands like 56 Hope Rd., Family Groove Co. and Jobu. Playing regularly in Chicago and Indianapolis. A recent highlight was having special guest Chris Meyers from Umphrey's McGee sit in at the Kinetic Playground after show during their new years run. Brainchild will be attending their fourth straight Summercamp music festival this year and they guarantee it will be the best one yet.
King Orange
Official website: http://www.myspace.com/kingorangespace
King Orange has surprised and won over audiences night after night since it built its family of friends, collaborators, and fans in the early 1990s through years of performances both ordinary and epic trying to deliver spontaneous and challenging electric music that hard-core music fans identify with and enjoy.
On one level King Orange is a cover band of artists that were rebels and firebrands of their day—Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Phish, Little Feat. But fans of the band will confirm that King Orange is also one of the most inventive and explosive bands you have ever seen with a voice and identity all its own. King Orange also has strong and unique songwriters, and the original King Orange songs along with the band’s spirit of adventure and interpretation make each new King Orange show different from the last.
Elwood
Elwood! is an acoustic duo on a mission from God to show you a good time. Songwriter-guitarists Rick Gustafson and Jim Potts are two distracted sales representatives who spend their weekends performing good-time favorites by the great songwriters of American Music ranging from rock soul and R&B to classic country, blues, folk, and improvisational jazz and progressive rock along with Rick and Jim’s own songs.
Since forming in 2006 Elwood! have performed in the dives, pubs, basements and back patios of the Peoria area to audiences both huge and intimate. Elwood! plays with energy, humor, mischief, and confidence better suited to honky-tonks than coffeehouses and the Elwood! song catalog is large enough to host a six-hour show (Kelleher’s Pub, Mardi Gras, 2006). In fact, Elwood! invites and welcomes opportunities to perform custom shows for private and corporate clients—just for the challenge. After a recent corporate performance Elwood! earned the honor of “House Band” for Classic Country 1290AM. When you see Elwood! you’ll see why the duo’s name has an exclamation point. Elwood! plays it loud fierce and rowdy with hopes of giving audiences a laugh and a smile with a song list that reaches a wide range of music lovers.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
