We are very busy and will be putting on a showcase of bands Saturday November 20 at the Magic Stick in the Big D. I think you will recognize several of the bands that are playing this gig. WHY YOU JAM is all about making local music happen. So, I have been asked tell me about some of these bands.
Well, I was at the Roots Jamboree Festival, Labor Day weekend where I stumbled across The Tokyo Sexwhales. I was backstage doing some good artists relations and I literally stopped my conversation. As an aside, part of what I, along with my partner Steve Szajna, do for our company is talent scout. So anyway, I was drawn to their sound. It is a combination of surf/punk and ambient jam. What drew me was how the band could literally change up its sound in the middle of a jam. I was so stoked that I sought them out after their set. We talked and now they will be in our "barn." They have been burning up the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area and now the Big D is ready for their music. They will open the gig this Saturday and I bet you will love them as much as I do.
Our second act, Jam Society, features Ari Teitel on Guitar. My attention was first drawn to him when his dad brought him as a then 11 year old to play on stage at the Robert Randolph gig at St. Andrews. I was like WTF. Now, I had known his dad Robbie for years and he kvelled about his kid as a dad would. But Ari and the boys have really matured on stage. Some think that drummer Amir Edwards may be one of the hottest kit players in the D and he has had a lot of looks at him. It is hard to believe that these guys are not even 16. No every player is young. Keyboardist Reggie has made quite a dent in the gospel and blues sessions in this area and came to this band because he really believes in their sound. I suspect that you will find their blend of rock, jazz, blues and reggae very enjoyable.
Our third act is Lucky Brown. Song writer Aaron Brown has quite a musical history in the Detroit area. Many of the bands in this area have been touched by Aaron. He is a keyboardist by nature and writes his music with his instruments very much part of the mix. Aaron's roots are reggae. He shows it in this band. Bassist Cosmos Keath, also, has done more than a minute in various Detroit bands. Cosmos and I know each other from seeing live music. Rather than me describing their music, here's what LB is saying:
Hailing out of the Detroit underground scene is a lucky jamband with a catchy sound! LUCKY BROWN creates music to soothe
your soul through a mixture of rhythmic vibes with reggae and jazzy overtones. With influences like Phish, Dave Matthews, Bob Marley, Grateful Dead this band appeals to a wide variety of listeners.
I know you will enjoy Lucky Brown as much as I do. Can't wait for you to check them out.
Our fourth act is Nadir. It is difficult to pinpoint his music. It has overtones of jazz, funk, hiphop, rock and soul. Nadir is more that a musician and songwriter, he is a storyteller. He is also a multi-talented musician and while guitar is his primary instrument, he is equally comfortable on the bass and keyboards. In fact, at now famous open mike night at the Black Lotus Brewery on Monday Nights (where incidentally, he and our partner Steve Szajna co-host), Nadir regular backs up the musicians on various instruments. It is there that I got a real taste of his ability to fit into almost any musical genre. Nadir has won Ten Detroit Music Awards: Three in a row (2005, 2006, 2007) for Outstanding Urban/Funk Songwriter; four Outstanding Urban/Funk Vocalist trophies (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010); One for each of his albums: Outstanding Urban/Funk/Hip Hop Recording (2005) for Distorted Soul 2.0 and (2009) for Workin’ For The Man; Outstanding Electronic Dance Recording (2008) for Slave: The Remixtape So you can imagine, he and his hand will bring some heat to our show. Be prepared to sing along as the music builds.
Our final act is The Matt Keil Band. Their music is somewhere between southern rock meeting alternative and grunge. I hope that Matt does not mind the comparison, but I have often thought that he brings the energy of Axel Rose to a more mellow band setting. This does not mean that guitarist Rob Zielinski, doesn't shred and bassist, Brett Dobson doesn't bring the slap. Quite the opposite. Matt has not been afraid to note his music has some shared sound of a 70's Springsteen and an 80's Mellencamp. But for me, its grittier and digs deep into the soul. All the musicians in this band are veterans of the Southeast Michigan music scene. Brett, drummer Matt Groszko and I share a love for many of the regional and national jambands. I guarantee you that by the end of their set, you will be sweaty and want more.
Our special guests are Joe Stanley and Dan Wolak. Joe at the young age of 26 is already a veteran of the Detroit music scene. He is seriously one of best guitarists I have laid eyes on in many years. He currently is in Jam Samich, a guitar rich rock jamband monster. He also works with the American Gravy Company and its alter ego, the Kosher Gravy Company. He has been a founding member of many of the area jambands and has such a versatile sound. For the Saturday gig, he has agreed to be the musical MC and will be doing acoustic sets between the main acts. Joe is also bringing his electric ax and will sit in with many of the acts that evening.
Dan Wolak and I go way back as African Drum students over 15 years ago. Lovingly known as Djembe Dan in our circle, Dan ventured out into the jamband scene (he too is a veteran fan) as the percussionists for the Electric Magi. Dan continued to hone his craft and has had sit ins with area bands Back Forty, Covert Operations and regional bands such as Ekoostik Hookah. Dan is a utility player and accompanies Joe Stanley in many of their joint projects. He too plays in Jam Samich and the various Gravy Projects. Dan will be a utility player on Saturday accompanying Joe and sitting in, as a percussionist, with the bands.
We will be offering all kinds of goodies for this show. We have partnered with Midwest PEEPS (http://midwestpeeps.storenvy.com). Slater Creative (www.slaytercreative.com and Motor City Connect (http://motorcityconnect.groupsite.com/main/summary). Also some great vendors. All will be offering sick merch and good information on how to live on this Orb we call home, in a little more harmony. In addition, we will be donating some proceeds of the should to Operation Kid Equip, which will provide necessary school supplies and amenities to the inner city children of Detroit. SO COME OUT AND START THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEK WITH US!!!!
PLEASE remember to support local live bands:
Dead Again (Grateful Dead Tribute Band http://www.facebook.com/deadagainband , The American Gravy Company http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-American-Gravy-Company, Lucky Brown Music www.myspace.com/LuckyBrownMusic, The Macpodz, www.macpodz.com, Mifune, www.mifunemusic.com, The Great Divide, www.myspace.com/greatdividelive Grievious Angel http://drumdancerrecords.com/grievousangel/index.php, Jill Jack, http://www.jilljack.com/, Billy Brandt, www.billybrandt.net, Distorted Soul (featuring Nadir), www.distortedsoul.com, Flop House Band, www.flophouseband.com, Back Forty backfortymusic.com, Covert Operations http://www.covertopsband.com Rootstand www.rootstand.com, Jam Samwich http://jamsamich.com, David Nefesh www.davidnefesh.com, The Ragbirds www.theragbirds.com, , PAPA www.papatunes.com, Bitter Herbs www.myspace.com/bitterherbs, Greensky Bluegrass www.greenskybluegrass.com; THTX www.myspace.com/THTX and Sentimental Shark, www.sentimentalshark.com to name a few.
PLEASE remember to support local venues:
The Magic Bag www.themagicbag.com; The Majestic Theatre www.majesticdetroit.com/; Saint Andrew's Hall www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/1776; The Crofoot www.thecrofoot.comSavoy www.livesavoy.com ; (Ypsilanti's Hot New 750 capacity venue)The Royal Music Theater www.royaloakmusictheatre.com/The Blind Pig www.blindpigmusic.com/Blondies (New Club in the Big D) www.myspace.com/officialblondiesnightclub, Museum of Contemporary Art www.mocadetroit.org
GO OUT AND SEE LIVE MUSIC!!!!!
Much love in the 313, 248, 586, 734 and 810
Miko, author of the Occasional Detroit Music Update
