Interviews with Bay Area up-and-coming bands
Live Performance by Sam Rogers, Interview with Israel Chavarin and Midnight Strangers
October 21, 2010 8:00pm
Sam Rogers
http://www.onemouthband.com/
Live Performance
Sam Rogers is an award-winning solo performer, skilled educator/facilitator, experienced CircleSong leader, and Certified TaKeTiNa Rhythm Teacher. He is called “The One Mouth Band” for good reason: he makes all the sounds of a band using only his mouth — bass, guitar, synthesizers, horns, mouth-defying drums/percussion, and more — with the precision of a seasoned musician. Sam was the first solo act to compete (and win!) in an a cappella group competition, he has spent half his life being the resident beatboxer/rhythm section for a cappella groups, has two live solo vocal albums to his credit, is half of the pan-Pacific trip-folk duo One On One, helped pioneer live looping vocals, and was a recent finalist in the 1st US Beatbox Championships. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he happily astounds audiences from America, Brazil, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Get ready for 100% Organic Human Music that will blow your mind and shake your booty!
Israel Chavarin
of RoundMusic and The Frail
http://www.myspace.com/roundmusicsf
http://www.myspace.com/thefrailsf
Midnight Strangers
www.midnightstrangers.com
Retro new wave music wrapped in enticing vocals, while layered over ripping guitars and synths, the Midnight Strangers produce rock music that represents the struggle to form connections with others. The track “Strangers” reflects lead singer, Chris Swimley’s observation of himself and others at shows. He states, “We are all longing to feel the emotions and sense of connection we feel when we listen to music. Music is really just musicians attempting to express their emotions through their songs. And though the bands who play these songs are complete strangers to us, when the music is done well, it’s like we’re living a first person experience of the emotions of others. We connect at the deepest level. The connection is so strong that it compels to join in and sing along. That is what I love most about music.”
When Swimley first ventured into the music industry, the outcome was Modern Delusions, an album that led him to win “Best Male Alternative Vocalist of the Year” at the 2007 L.A. Music Awards. After nearly completing his third solo album, Days Of Decadence, Swimley decided to expand his project and added friends Anthony Petrocchi (drums) Rob Pera (guitar) and Chris Albert (Bass) to the line-up. Inspired by bands such as the Killers and U2, the music of Midnight Strangers combines a bit of electronic instrumentation with a solid mix of drums, bass, and guitar for what they call a “retro new wave” genre.
The newest album, Days Of Decadence, contemplates modern society’s ability to basically acquire anything we desire instantly. The idea that America and other wealthy nations are literally being driven insane by a manufactured appetite for endless amounts of stimulus and possessions is the main concept behind the album.
Swimley reflects on the album stating, “The thing that excites me the most is that it really moves me. This album is definitely much more modern and up-tempo then the last. It was designed with the live performance in mind, so it is my hope that the songs create an excitement to see them performed live. I wanted to create an album that was full of energy and dynamics but that a message too. I hope it moves others as much as it moves me.”
http://www.onemouthband.com/
Live Performance
Sam Rogers is an award-winning solo performer, skilled educator/facilitator, experienced CircleSong leader, and Certified TaKeTiNa Rhythm Teacher. He is called “The One Mouth Band” for good reason: he makes all the sounds of a band using only his mouth — bass, guitar, synthesizers, horns, mouth-defying drums/percussion, and more — with the precision of a seasoned musician. Sam was the first solo act to compete (and win!) in an a cappella group competition, he has spent half his life being the resident beatboxer/rhythm section for a cappella groups, has two live solo vocal albums to his credit, is half of the pan-Pacific trip-folk duo One On One, helped pioneer live looping vocals, and was a recent finalist in the 1st US Beatbox Championships. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he happily astounds audiences from America, Brazil, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Get ready for 100% Organic Human Music that will blow your mind and shake your booty!
Israel Chavarin
of RoundMusic and The Frail
http://www.myspace.com/roundmusicsf
http://www.myspace.com/thefrailsf
Midnight Strangers
www.midnightstrangers.com
Retro new wave music wrapped in enticing vocals, while layered over ripping guitars and synths, the Midnight Strangers produce rock music that represents the struggle to form connections with others. The track “Strangers” reflects lead singer, Chris Swimley’s observation of himself and others at shows. He states, “We are all longing to feel the emotions and sense of connection we feel when we listen to music. Music is really just musicians attempting to express their emotions through their songs. And though the bands who play these songs are complete strangers to us, when the music is done well, it’s like we’re living a first person experience of the emotions of others. We connect at the deepest level. The connection is so strong that it compels to join in and sing along. That is what I love most about music.”
When Swimley first ventured into the music industry, the outcome was Modern Delusions, an album that led him to win “Best Male Alternative Vocalist of the Year” at the 2007 L.A. Music Awards. After nearly completing his third solo album, Days Of Decadence, Swimley decided to expand his project and added friends Anthony Petrocchi (drums) Rob Pera (guitar) and Chris Albert (Bass) to the line-up. Inspired by bands such as the Killers and U2, the music of Midnight Strangers combines a bit of electronic instrumentation with a solid mix of drums, bass, and guitar for what they call a “retro new wave” genre.
The newest album, Days Of Decadence, contemplates modern society’s ability to basically acquire anything we desire instantly. The idea that America and other wealthy nations are literally being driven insane by a manufactured appetite for endless amounts of stimulus and possessions is the main concept behind the album.
Swimley reflects on the album stating, “The thing that excites me the most is that it really moves me. This album is definitely much more modern and up-tempo then the last. It was designed with the live performance in mind, so it is my hope that the songs create an excitement to see them performed live. I wanted to create an album that was full of energy and dynamics but that a message too. I hope it moves others as much as it moves me.”
