Upcoming Shows:
Ellison
February 28
The sound of Ellison has been described as having some of the trademarks of “Emo,” but with a more graceful, grown-up edge. With great honor, the band has been compared to the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Copeland, and Cartel. Ellison’s energetic blend of indie pop with straightforward rock is sure to deliver a powerful emotional punch to the indie pop scene.
Past Performers:
Wade Johnston and the Navigators
Although they knew each other throughout high school, Wade Johnston and the McClellan brothers did not start playing music until the Fall of 2008. After a few successful jam sessions, they realized how well their musical tastes corresponded. With a blend of acoustic allure, heavenly harmony and bad-ass bass lines, Wade Johnston and the Navigators are out to define themselves as a simple, yet rocking trio. You can check them out at www.wadejohnston.com.
DJ Stump
Cole Brokamp is DJ/Producer Big Stump. He holds down the drum kit as a founding member of Chick Pimp, Coke Dealer at a Bar. Also, he rocks the turntables, samples, timbales, and dozens of other toys for The Skeetones. He is the co-founder of Grasshopper Juice Records. Look for his original material coming soon. Big Stump is available for production, remixes, collaborations, and DJ gigs.
Never Setting Suns
Down by the Ohio River, at a pirate-themed laser tag arena, The Never Setting Suns officially became a band. With influences such as Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, and Explosions in the Sky, the band has taken an explosive indie rock taste. During a typical live show, drummer Tyler Griffin will shred several sets of sticks crashing out brilliant moments of intensity as singer Corey Larrison loops ambient melodies while shouting into his guitar pickups and bassist Chris Courts pretends to gun down the audience with his bass. As great friends, the band has been performing the local Cincinnati circuit and most recently have written and recorded a five song self titled EP, which uniquely captures a different side of their introspection and song writing. Recorded at Live Love Studios in Cincinnati, the album utilizes various recording approaches. In the closing number, “Wrapped in Plaster,” singer Corey Larrison recorded a portion of the vocals through his guitar pickups from inside a bathroom. Overall, the appeal of the album comes out of the friendship between the members, whose chemistry as musicians composes the beautiful intensities and ambiences of the recorded piece.
Jenn Silver
Delight in the soulful tunes from singer/songwriter Jenn Silver.
Jenn has been playing and singing since the age of twelve. Passionate
power-packed vocals and aggressive acoustic ballads have never been
this fun to watch! Check out www.jennsilver.com to hear more!
Sam Minelli
My name is Sam Minelli I have lived in Cincinnati all my life and I am a freshman at UC. I have played music since I was 9 years old and have a very musically talented family. I played drums for my brother Mark Minelli and our first CD was released on iTunes this month and did very well.
I sing and play guitar and write all of my own
music and everyone seems to like what they
are hearing so far.
The Happy Maladies
Since Spring of 2008, The Happy Maladies have been living, loving, and learning in their home of Cincinnati. Guided by their kind and gentle cat, Dylan, they try to write and perform emotional and engaging music using acoustic instruments. Their influences range from the wails of Joanna Newsom to the whales of Northern Minnesota -- and they would love to be influenced by you.
Wade Johnston Trio
Wade Johnston is a singer/songwriter from Cincinnati, OH. You may have seen him on YouTube, or possibly at the YouTube LIVE! event in San Francisco, CA, on November 22, 2008. His acoustic tunes are produced from the guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and sometimes even banjo. Check him out at ww.youtube.com/wadejohnston.
Dan Orlando
Grandiose piano playing, a showman’s voice, and a happy-go-lucky attitude are just a few reasons Dan Orlando is bound to become a household name. He’s a young wizard on the ivory keys and there’s no telling where his talent will take him. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Dan picked up the piano at the ripe age of 6 when he played a few licks from memory at a local piano shop. The storeowner heard this prodigal child and announced she was coming out of retirement to teach him. Dan began polishing his skills in classical piano, jazz, and blues, to go along with an in-depth knowledge of music theory. These formative years, and a couple of stints in bands, helped Dan realize his lifelong dream of becoming a successful singer/songwriter. Dan is a graduate of Avon Grove High School in West Grove, PA, and was also a member of the Acoustic Groove Project. Dan is currently enrolled at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. As he continues to hone his craft and knowledge, Dan has put together an impressive repertoire of music. He released his debut album, “Stepping Stones,” in 2007 and just recently recorded a self-titled 5-track EP.
Brian Kittrell
Brian Kittrell incorporates styles ranging from Singer-Songwriter to Pop Blues when performing with the Brian Kittrell Trio. In his performances, Brian brings a fresh mix of original music and takes on classic songs with an energy and passion that is rarely seen in local venues.
DJR (Dreams Just Realized)
DJR, started on March 6, 2009, by three college friends on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, was originally just a promotional idea for the campus student group, The United Black Student Association. But when the 3 friends discovered that they sounded pretty good, their imaginations took off. DJR, the initials of the members (Drew, Jay, and Ron) quickly took a creative meaning that defined the member’s ambition. DJR, also standing for Dreams Just Realized, began writing and brainstorming on how they wanted to affect the world, not just through music, but through leadership and through their voices and visions for the future.
Blue Skies
Blue Skies is a rock trio that plays your favorite songs ranging from classic rock and blues to new radio hits.
Wally.Vega
Let’s forget for a minute that Wally.Vega is the hottest thing since pants with pockets and realize that he is young just like you, loves music just like you, comes from a broken home just like you, is a struggling student just like you, and likes to party on days that end in Y, just like you.
You admire the way he makes you want to change the world with his compelling metaphors that defy every dimension of creativity; you love the way he can make your ears sweat with his smooth vernacular as his words prance into your brain and take you to a twilight zone of euphoria.
The Gambling District
The Gambling District is a rock band from Brown County, Ohio. Formed in the summer 2005, The Gambling District discovered a unique sound to call their own. The members, including Noah, Dave, and Justin come from a vast array of musical experiences. They have gathered influence from artists such as Jimmy Eat World, The Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, and Greenwheel. The Gambling District has been polishing their sound more and more ever since. Consisting of upbeat melodies, passionate lyrics, and innovative song writing, they blend soul and rock into one unique adventure. With a vibrant stage presence and hard working manors they have a bold future ahead of them.
Trent Crutcher
Trent Crutcher is a 2nd year at UC and undeclared. He has been playing for about seven years and is a self taught singer/songwriter. His main influences are Bob Dylan and Jack Johnson. He usually plays acoustic music both as covers and his own works. He grew up in Cincinnati and always knew he wanted to do something with music. He also plays the piano and he used to play the harp. He attended The School for the Creative and Performing Arts for two years and them moved to London, England. Upon his return he enrolled at UC.
The Gaslight 5
The Gaslight Five is a new band that just got together a few months ago. The five full time members are students at University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. After their first few gigs, the band decided to expand its horizons to bring the groove and soul that comes from jazz to the people. After collaboration with singer Marla T, the instrumental band looks to do more work with Marla as well as other vocalists in the city.
Wake Up Mordecai
Paul Monnin is a singer/songwriter shaped in a world of picket fences and duplexes. Born in Vandalia, OH, he has a small town perspective on an ever-shrinking world. His music speaks to people. Songs of human nature, life’s stages, and the occasional clichéd love song sung by a 19-year-old with a unique perspective on the world around him.
While sheltered and introverted, the allure of Wake Up Mordecai is the way John Callon turns hero-like in his shyness. When he is on stage that awkwardness is replaced by a definite and confident comfort. While Wake Up Mordecai is not the first to play the role of geek-turned-rock-star, the fact that Callon is still in the pressure cooker called high school shows that his perspective is way more authentic than the hordes of bands using geekdom as a fashion.
Chickpimp
The ambition to experiment with different sounds is what brought the members of Chick Pimp together. Jazz, folk, pop, and bluegrass influences lay the groundwork for what the UC News Record has dubbed "an improvisational frenzy.” City Beat's Brian Baker says their debut album, Bofa Deez, is a mad sonic collage comprised of any number of disparate sources, resulting in a style that could be described as Middle European Hillbilly Hip Hop Electronic Jazz Prog Fusion. And that might only be scratching the surface.
J Toy
In an industry filled with an abundance of mediocre talent and surrounded by exploitive marketing, a new artist has emerged to contest: J Toy is stepping up to the challenge. Coming from the strong background of mid-90’s hip-hop where creativity and lyrics were key, J Toy appeals to many of today’s music fans. His story-telling ability and talent to display weird ear-catching lyrical rhymes, prove he’s got what it takes to make it in this game. With punch lines like, "cause my flow crazy, just like Hitler/when I get eight offs two times/that’s 16," he has a load for listeners to catch on to. Where will his talent take him? "All I want is for fans to listen to me. And then, without a doubt, I shall get the respect that I deserve as an artist."
Small Time Crooks
Ryan and Tim met each other at the mall selling shoes to idiots. They talked about starting a rap group for fun and started writing and making music. Ryan knew Sarah from various bands throughout the years and asked her to join them. Patrick and Ryan started making music and ideas together and it all clicked. Kamal plays the drums, Dustin plays the guitar, and Steve plays bass. We are a band because we think rappers who rap over a CD or an iPod are lame. We have made 2 CDs and are about to drop a new free EP on our site. We will be playing shows anywhere and everywhere and they get wild, so come hang out if you'd like!
Funk Capacitor
In a circumstance too mind-bending for paper, several Cincinnati area musicians, and a New Yorker, joined forces in the name of all that is righteous and funky to combat the forces of squareness. Already in the few short months that they’ve been together they’ve battled the L’s and the 7’s and triumphed. Consisting of Dan Erbland on sax, Jon Massey on bass, Rob Knueven pretending to play the drums, Moe Tompkins with a t-bone, and Carlos Vargas playing guitar. When it comes to anything funk, jazz, or ska, they can’t be beat. It is them indeed, who make good grooves possible, they are the Funk Capacitor.
Eazy
Eazy has been a presence in the Cincinnati music scene for over two years. Their general sound is a blend of classic and experimental rock, exploring musical styles such as funk, blues, and reggae with the occasional psychedelic jam. The band is five members strong, including Andy Tracy (bass/drums), Jake Tracy (tenor sax/bass), Jesse Schroeder (drums/bass), Kevin Muro (guitar), Adam Petersen (keyboard). Eazy is unique in that every member of the band sings and is capable of playing multiple instruments, so they will occasionally switch around. Also notable is that each member of Eazy was born and raised in Cincinnati.
Pat Stites Band
Pat Stites is an architecture and art student at UC. A musician by hobby, he has formal training in percussion, voice, and guitar. Retired from his old high school band, Pat believes that music is all about breathing a little love into what you do. Influenced by The Beatles, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin, Pat writes his own music. Check out the Pat Stites Band in their first-ever Acoustic Brew performance. "Here lies the demon of screamin, who never woke up from the dream he was dreamin. He took the magic potion and all that remains, is sweet emotion." - Steven Tyler
Zack Mueller
Zack Mueller is a solo performer from Cincinnati. Drawing from a broad range of musical influences, he plays a fun and light-hearted folk pop that is uniquely his own. Catchy melodies and poppy instrumentals abound on Zack’s recently released EP, entitled “ I’ve Got a Song!” which is sure to make you dance around the room. Won’t you lend your ears?
Web site:
www.myspace.com/zackmueller
Stacey Ivey
Over the course of three years, Stacey has established herself as the resident go-to DJ for Boss Jamaican sounds such as ska, rocksteady, reggae, soulful reggae, and dancehall. A former Bearcast DJ, she has mixed at local hotspots and has even wowed crowds as far away as Istanbul, Turkey.
Andrew Stafford
Andrew Stafford just transferred to UC from John Carroll University in Cleveland, where he was a regular performer on the local musicians circuit. Andrew plays many original songs as well as covers from many mainstream acoustic performers. Stop on by and absorb the music.
Alison Knaack
Alison is a compulsive songwriter. No, really, she is. That’s why she enjoys performing so much. It’s a chance to share her music with other people who appreciate that sort of thing. As a native of the Chicago area, Alison came to the University of Cincinnati for Industrial Design, and it just so happened that her guitar came with her. Check out her folk style of original music.
Logan Sand featuring Jenn Silver
Delight in the soulful pop-rock tunes from singer/songwriter duo Jenn Silver and Logan Sand. Both have been playing and singing separately since the age of 12. Passionate voices and aggressive piano ballads have never been this fun to listen to! Check out www.myspace.com/logansand
Aaron Scott
Aaron Scott has been playing across the Tri-State for more than six years with his unique brand of acoustic pop/rock. He draws influence from a wide variety of musicians including Ryan Adams, Tom Petty, and The Beatles. Aaron performs a diverse selection of cover songs (from nearly every decade of popular music), originals, and songs from his own band, Chaselounge. Visit myspace.com/aaronscottmusic and myspace.com/chaselounge for more info.
Kissing Pat
Each member brings a different influence to the table...be it the sultry sounds of a grand piano, the Muppet-like wailing of the drums or the hard-rockin' slam of the guitar...Kissing Pat is influenced by music itself.
Yokefellow
Yokefellow members Rhett Harkins and Kristen Chuang create an indie/folk/blues sound with powerful vocals, six-string finger pickin', harmonica melodies, and an array of original works and re-created covers. Come on and absorb the noise.
DJ Baby Swiss
DJ Baby Swiss is the culmination of intellect, rooted hip-hop, and foolishness. Starting his career from local freestyle battles and back of the bus sessions, B. Swiss is fresh off his latest release "Shut Up...It's My Turn!! Vol. 3" and ready to spill the thoughts of a true grown adolescent with the revamped "Vol. 3: The Rewind."
Lunapollo
Lunapollo formed during a cold Cincinnati winter in January of 2008. Led by their strong front woman, Francesca Buonsante and her amazing voice, they quickly found a crowd playing their own brand of hard/alternative rock at many venues in the Cincinnati area. They also captured the attention of local clubs and were soon put on stage opening for national acts such as the popular rock group, Safety Suit. Despite one small change in their lineup they are still the same group today: Justin Burress on drums and Mikey Wiley on bass guitar form a strong rhythm section, Tommy Dudley on guitar plays his own brand of rhythms and leads, and Francesca Buonsante gives the band their voice and identity with her powerful voice and intense lyrics. Lunapollo have been compared to such diverse acts as Blondie, Avenged Sevenfold, Cindy Lauper, Muse and many other popular bands of the day, but no one can seem to classify them completely or easily. One thing is for sure, Lunapollo stands out among the crowd with their unique take on hard rock, pop, and their energetic live shows that have left a lasting impression on any that have heard or seen them perform.
