Change grants clarity. As our circumstances shift, we recognize and realize what truly matters and appreciate it a little bit more. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong translates the joy of such realizations into the buoyant psychedelic funk odyssey of their sixth independent full-length album, the aptly titled Perspective. The Maryland quartet—Greg Ormont [vocals, guitar], Jeremy Schon [guitar, vocals], Ben [bass, vocals], and Alex “Gator” Petropulos [drums, vocals]—delivers a musically thrilling and emotionally endearing body of work propelled by sonic fireworks and chantable hooks. After piling up millions of streams and selling out countless shows, the musicians project their vision widescreen across the most expansive vista yet.

“When touring shut down in 2020, we gained immense perspective,” admits Greg. “The album title speaks to the perspective of the pandemic as well as our growth over the years. During this turbulent time, everyone in the world has been forced to look in the mirror and ask what’s truly important. If there’s anything we’ve all gained from this, it’s perspective, and a recurring theme from our band is to not waste time. Now more than ever, we recognize that you only get one life, so you might as well live it to the fullest and lift people up in the process.”

By doing so, the band has morphed into a cult-like phenomenon beloved by their rabid and ever-expanding fanbase, affectionately known as “The Flock.” Lighting up hallowed venues, they’ve ignited Red Rocks Amphitheatre, played halftime during a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, and packed theaters and arenas across the country, capturing the minds, hearts, and imaginations of audiences in the process. Not to mention, they’ve annually headlined their self-produced music and camping festival Domefest—now in its eleventh iteration. Beyond praise from Rolling Stone, Glide, Relix, Jambase and more, they delivered a standout performance on Adult Swim’s FishCenter Live and stole the show at countless music festivals including Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Jam Cruise, and many others.

Once the world slipped into quarantine, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong dove headfirst into their next creative chapter.

“Our first thought was, ‘Even though we can’t play live, we have to keep the music alive, even if just for our own sanity’,” Greg goes on. “Music is our lifeforce and we have to keep the fire burning. So instead of watching the world go by, we quickly decided to pour all of our creative energy into the studio setting and rejoice in the healing power of music.”

Working safely out of Wright Way Studios in their hometown of Baltimore, the band brought Perspective to life. Teeming with vibrancy, the first single “Elephante” struts along on a thick bass line wrapped in swaggering riffs punctuated by the boisterous and bold horn section of energetic funk band Here Come The Mummies. It all culminates on a sky-splitting solo by lead guitarist Jeremy Schon.

“As soon as I heard the Elephante demo, I was overwhelmed with excitement and just let it rip vocally,” smiles Greg. “Musically, it knocks you off your chair. Lyrically, it’s about living life to the fullest. There’s no time to waste, you have to let your freak flag fly and embrace your true self. It’s about being unapologetically you, which for me is wild, unashamed and energetic.”

Propelled by percussion from Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident, the funkified guitar of “Move Like That” underscores a moment of dance floor seduction, on a natural high, urging you to seize the day.

“It’s about two people seeing each other from across the room and catching fire” he elaborates. “The seduction grabs hold and never lets go. There’s nothing left to do but let the sparks fly.”

Then, there’s “Sir Real.” Originally written live on stage in a moment of divine improvisation where the song writes itself, the track’s flowing groove catapults into a psychedelic crescendo energized by artful six-string transmissions.

“Life’s about going with the flow, giving in to the moment, and releasing your inhibitions, even if just for one night,” he reveals. “When you let go, sure you’re vulnerable, but if you surround yourself with the right people, they’ll pick you up when you have fallen down and you just might achieve something you couldn’t have if you didn’t take the leap. So in that sense, the song’s about taking chances and having the right community to back you up, which we see reflected in The Flock at every show.”

Elsewhere, Greg picks up the mic and drops a “chill rap” on “Lost In Line,” while strings add a newfound texture to the feel-good anthem “Su Casa.” Meanwhile, Zach Gill of Animal Liberation Orchestra breathes new life into the decade-old album closer “Indiglo” with lustrous keys.

“Since the entire music industry had shut down, we were granted a rare opportunity to collaborate with some seriously awesome musicians who would’ve otherwise been busy touring” adds Greg. “That added a new dimension to this album, it’s really all over the map. There are in-your-face funk songs, chill groovy tracks, driving instrumentals, all spanning different phases of our band’s history, but they really came together in one cohesive record. I hope this album is reminiscent of the peaks and valleys of our live shows.”

Which there will be many more of on the horizon…

On stage and on tape, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong ultimately provides a feeling we could all use right now.

“We hope you listen to Perspective and are reminded that life is fleeting yet amazing,” he leaves off. “There’s no time like the present, so let’s make the absolute most of it. Remember the good times, be excited about the future, but most of all, dance your heart out every step of the way.”

For better or worse, Andy Frasco has been married to the music industry since before he could grow facial hair. At just sixteen, Frasco worked for labels like Drive-Thru Records and Capitol, booking nationwide tours for his pop-punk heroes and wheeling and dealing on calls he’d take on the sly during lunch. He’s been on road since he was 19, played over 250 shows per year for more than decade, lived on bad bar food, and slept in vans, and now, after more than a decade on the musical grind, he’s finally finding himself. He’s not a frat boy (he barely went to college) and he’s not Mr. Cocaine anymore (his old nickname in Germany), he’s a musician — and he’s ready to share that with the world. “People stopped thinking of me as just this party boy, one-trick pony who crowd-surfs and throws organized chaos on stage,” he says. “They started listening to my words.”

Frasco grew up a Warped Tour kid in L.A., idolizing flashy frontmen who dove into the waiting arms of their frenzied fans. He wanted to be part of the music industry, by hook or by crook, and started out mapping his future with an eye toward industry bigwigs like David Geffen. When the labels stopped calling, however, the 19-year-old blew his Bar Mitzvah money on a van and started traveling around the country with a handful of half-songs he wrote while teaching himself piano, collecting musicians on the road — like a modern-day Pied Piper — to form his appropriately named band, Andy Frasco & the U.N. The current lineup includes Shawn Eckels (guitar), Andee "Beats" Avila (drums, vocals), Floyd Kellogg (bass guitar), and Ernie Chang (Saxophone).

The group’s sound ping-ponged between punk, disco, and everything in between until two years into their tour of every bar in the U.S. they happened upon an old joint in Mississippi, where Frasco fell in love with the blues. “I just remember being there and seeing the atmosphere, people smoking cigarettes, and everyone's just having a great time and letting loose,” he says. “That made me realize, oh yeah, music isn't supposed to be serious. I wanted to bring this party atmosphere to blues music.”

To hear him tell it, Frasco may have spent a bit too much time enjoying that party atmosphere. Addicted to coke and one-night stands, it took the musician more than a few years to work out what he really wanted out of life. After suffering an anxiety attack in 2017, he recalibrated, and although the band had put out their share of albums over the years, he really broke out with 2019’s aptly titled Change of Pace. The true change of pace, however, came when Frasco started doing his podcast the year before, Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast, in 2018. During the beginning of the pandemic especially, Frasco says he forgot about music in favor of investigating his mental health through the podcast, where he has interviewed the likes of Tony Hawk, Khruangbin, Melissa Etheridge, Bert Kreischer and Stevie Van Zandt.

His split from music didn’t last long, however. When he realized he was about to go back on the road in 2021, Frasco decided it was time to sink or swim. He needed an album’s worth of new music and he had 30 days to do it. What followed was a whirlwind tour of the country during which he collaborated with scores of musicians to create Wash, Rinse, Repeat, which drops April 8th via his own label, Fun Machine Records. “This was my chance to learn my craft and fall in love with songwriting again,” he says. “This is me. This is how I feel. I'm not trying to write songs for other people anymore. I'm just trying to write songs that help me. And hopefully through that, help others, too.”

The result is 12 songs that span Frasco’s experience as a musician — and a man. There’s the strummy ballad “Grow Old,” about finding love for more than a weekend and being ready for it when it shows up at your door. The tongue-in-cheek stomper “Dancin’ Around My Grave” (written with Charleston bands Susto and Doom Flamingo) in which Frasco plans his own funeral if he were to die young — accompanied by a video depicting a Lakers-themed service (he’s a life-long fan). “A lot of people really related to that song and that's helped me get over the hump during the pandemic,” he says. The rocking title track “Wash, Rinse, Repeat,” also touches on the pandemic — and the joy we’ll all feel when the world is finally back. Then there’s “Spill the Beans,” a Western-tinged track about being honest about your addictions. “It's a song about not suppressing your addiction so you can get through 'em and recover through 'em,” he says.

The song that most accurately capture’s Frasco’s current mindstate? The one that exemplifies everything he’s been through and what he’s really about? That would be “Puff Break (Believe That),” an uplifting ode to picking yourself up and trying again. “I love inspiring songs,” Frasco says. “I know sometimes they're cheesy, but I wanted to write a song about how it’s OK to wake up some days and be depressed. Even if you're feeling low, take a deep breath, walk out of that house, have a cigarette and let's get this day going, you know?”

And Frasco has a lot to look forward to in 2022. With tour dates at the lines of Red Rocks Amphitheatre (on June 18th) and Bonnaroo on the horizon in June, he has more than a few opportunities on the way to share his words with the world.

The People Brothers Band’s unique brand of rhythm and soul features some of the most talented vocalists and musicians in the region. The vibrant group of longtime friends, collaborators, and multi-dimensional artists formed in 2008 as an open mic songwriting outfit and hasn’t looked back since. The band has cultivated a captivating musical alchemy through collective dedication to their craft, the Midwest music community, and each other. United by their shared vision of uplifting friends and fans through music, the band is set to tour their most recent album “Sisters & Brothers” coming in April 2023.

Drawing from the bands musically diverse influences, you’ll hear everything from The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grateful Dead, Phish and Whitney Houston, to Gregg Allman & The Band in their original music. Coupled with a stage presence like Tina Turner, the ensemble displays genre-bending versatility and mesmerizing synchronicity during their energetic live shows. Their lyrical setlist transports listeners through the full spectrum of emotions and the crowd mirrors an ever-changing portrait of expression; bright smiles, animated stomping, choral shouting, and wiping away a rolling tear before anyone sees. Their infectious stage presence is punctuated with heartfelt words of encouragement from lead vocalist, Teresa Marie, who emphasizes their overarching message of love and positivity. The band that surrounds her, frames her message, like a psychedelic kaleidoscope painting full of color, straight out of the 70’s. The rotating cast of this 8-piece rock band has been on the road for 15 years, their songs rival the stories of their predecessors like Fleetwood Mac with stories of love, loss, passion, divorce, death, sobriety, sex, drugs, and rock n roll. At a People Brothers Band show, you’ll experience it all.

The vision of the People Brothers Band has resonated with the Midwest music scene where they perform their passion for a growing fanbase. The group has received numerous musical awards over the last decade in a range of categories from Artist, Album, and Song of the Year to accolades for contributions to Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, and Blues music. The PBB vision extends beyond stages and studios to supporting their community and raising over $100,000 for various causes including housing and medical needs. They also own Driftless Music Gardens natural amphitheater where they host numerous music festivals & events in the gorgeous rolling hills of Yuba, Wisconsin. These friends lift their voices, keys, strings, horns, and drumsticks in love to create music on a higher vibration which transcends the auditory experience to rejuvenate the soul. You will remember where you were the first time you heard your favorite PBB song. You will recall how you felt. You will clamor for an encore, and you won’t be disappointed. You will be moved, as if magnetically, to the front row, where the sensation of the sun will shimmer, inviting you to shine electric love, positivity, friendship, and resiliency in your own stratosphere, to your people, to your brothers, from their band.

The sandy shores of Asbury Park, New Jersey are hallowed ground in the northeast; the rolling waves have ushered generations of venerated musicians to worldwide acclaim. Dogs in a Pile, an eclectic quintet, has emerged as the heir apparent to the town’s rich musical legacy. Merging funk, jazz, and rock and roll with psychedelia, the quintet presents a completely original vibe built on kaleidoscopic soundscapes eerily reminiscent of the days of yesteryear.

The Dogs employ a unified approach to performance and songwriting, crafting aural mosaics through adept instrumentation and humble precocity. As avid storytellers, they draw inspiration from personal experiences, balancing life’s foibles with ever-present youthful sanguinity.

Dogs began when Philadelphia University of the Arts guitar gun-slinger Jimmy Law began playing with young Joe Babick (drums), a student at the Count Basie Theater program in Red Bank, NJ. Lightning struck when they were introduced to Berklee School of Music student and bass player Sam Lucid, who immediately suggested fellow Berklee student and keyboard player Jeremy Kaplan. The addition of fellow Berklee student Brian Murray (guitar) in 2019 made for the quintessential final piece in the Dogs’ puzzle.

A string of successful local shows drove the development of a massive northeast fan base, affectionately known as the Dog Pound. The band’s astronomical growth culminated in an epic, sold-out performance at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park during the summer of 2021. Armed with a fresh batch of new material, Dogs in a Pile is taking its perpetually evolving testament to the Great American Songbook on tour in 2022, visiting plenty of new cities and spreading good music and good energy to good people along the way.

The story goes that the Big Wu, bound for rock stardom, sold their souls for a case of Old Style beer one thirsty night long ago. The legend and the band live on. Still rocking their powerful, moving, and energizing original music for the fans. A jam band with a unique style and presence, the Wu combine strong, free flowing improv and vocal harmonies, with finely crafted songs for all tastes. Oh, and their fans are famously friendly.

Old Shoe is a five-piece Americana roots rock band based out of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2010, Old Shoe has steadily forged the Midwest scene with its organic grooves and growing loyal fanbase. The band’s humble beginnings started with weekly residencies at local Chicago bars, and quickly grew to high profile festival appearances at events like Summer Camp and Wakarusa, and opening slots for artists like Bruce Hornsby and Leftover Salmon.

Like a caterpillar going through metamorphosis and becoming a butterfly, Magnolia Boulevard experiences a transformational process of growth on its latest EP, Things Are Gonna Change. The five-song project out July 7 sees the Lexington, Kentucky-based band embrace the change in their lives, both good and bad, from pandemic-related isolation to motherhood and the sudden passing of founding drummer Todd Copeland in 2021, in the process proving how through all life’s hurdles you can still endure.

Throughout the EP the soul-stirring vocals of Maggie Noelle, the blues-soaked electric guitar of Gregg Erwin, and the catchy keyboard arrangements of Ryan Allen are joined for the first time by bassist and Eastern Kentucky mainstay Chris Justice and drummer Chad Gravitt. Both are natural fits for the group who’ve helped to push the band’s fusion of rock, blues, soul, and jam into new territory, especially Gravitt, a straight-up rock’n roll drummer who was good friends with Copeland going all the way back to being on the drumline together in their high school marching band.

Over the course of Things Are Gonna Change’s five songs the band lays out the story of their lives over the past few years and how they’re collectively grown from it beginning with the frenetic, anxiety-ridden “Grip”. Slowly the paranoia present in the lyrics of the song evolve, eventually yielding the happy, loving, and nurturing “More” that concludes with Noelle triumphantly belting out how becoming a mother has given her a new perspective on life, singing “And I’ll break down the walls that I built once before, ‘Cause you build me up and you make me more.”

In many ways, the band has thrived in part of how they’ve built and lifted each other up since forming in 2017 after a chance encounter between Noelle and Erwin at a local songwriter night ignited a spark. At the time Erwin was new to town and Noelle was playing in a bluegrass band, although she’d been yearning for a creative outlet where she could let loose like her idols Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. Shy at first, Noelle eventually messaged Erwin on Facebook about joining forces, and a few months later the band was born.

In the six years since Magnolia Boulevard has gone on to develop a close relationship with PRS Guitars Founder and CEO Paul Reed Smith (who helped to mix and master Things Are Gonna Change) in addition to sharing stages with the likes of Blues Traveler, George Porter Jr., Marcus King, Neal Francis, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. The group has also been recognized for their excellence, winning the award for “Best Rock Band” at the Lexington Music Awards in 2018 and 2019 along with taking home first prize in the “On The Rise” band competition at Floydfest, one of the east coast’s biggest music festivals, in 2018.

Much like the band members of Magnolia Boulevard have endured over the highs and lows of the past few years, so has their music. The band’s emphatic and empowering anthems of love, self-discovery, grief, and uncertainty serve as a lesson to us all about life’s unpredictable nature and how to better live in the moment so we can appreciate everything and everyone around us before they’re gone.

“All I can hope is that folks can relate to each song in their own way & can feel every ounce of love that we put into them. There’s nothing more that I’d personally like to accomplish with our music than to share space for people to bask in.” - Maggie

Fast-paced, high energy foot stompers. Ballards that’ll make you cry. It’s kind of like a rock band married old-fashioned bluegrass and had a little baby. And named it TopHouse.

Jaedyn James has been making men uncomfortable since 1990. She is a vivacious, outspoken, body positive, powerhouse singer-songwriter, artist, producer and bandleader. Her live performances are empowering, engaging and invite you into the deepest parts of her soul. James’ sound is influenced by Etta, Janis, Prince and Amy Winehouse.

Feed the Dog is an eclectic and action-packed, experimental jam-grass act. The midwest based 4-piece masterfully blends soul-pleasing songwriting rich in imagery and storytelling with a genre bending, shake-your-hips, instrumental flair. Their high energy performances are driven by the unique and progressive approach of each player: imaginative melodies with graceful ambiance skillfully crafted on the violin, tireless beats both dynamic and soulful confidently assembled on the drums, driving low end with finesse and intention forged on the bass guitar, and unique approach to playing the acoustic guitar blending fast picking bluegrass runs with the strength of blues and rock to evoke an emotional contrast between melancholy and hopeful.

The band started in July of 2015 and has been relentlessly playing festivals, theaters, and clubs alongside regional and national touring acts.

Airshow is a high-flying, Nashville-based jam band featuring a unique contrast of familiar acoustic and mind-bending electric sounds that transports listeners from a campfire picking-party to the outer reaches of the multiverse

Formed by longtime friends Cody Chelius (Mandolin / Vocals) and Steve Gallagher (Guitar / Vocals), the group’s lineup was completed with the addition of Bill Baker (Bass/ Vocals) and John Rodrigue (Drums/ Vocals) in 2016. While each member has different musical influences, it is their shared passion for exploring uncharted sonic territories that has propelled their ascension to the top of Nashville’s jamband scene— and they won’t be landing anytime soon.

Having released two studio albums ‘Shimmer’ (2021) and ‘Up in the Clouds’ (2019), as well as two EPs, ‘Anubis’ (2020) and ‘Lightbulb’ (2017), Airshow has started sharing live recordings of recent shows from all across the north and southeast. The band has their navigation set in all directions, so keep your eyes peeled for the one and only Airshow in your town soon!

Airshow Band Photo

Shimmer

Airshow recorded ‘Shimmer’ at The Studio Nashville in Nashville, TN at a two-day recording session in November of 2020. The band worked closely with engineer Dan Davis to finish the seven-song album, Airshow’s longest studio effort to date.

As an album Shimmer highlights the individual members of Airshow like never before while simultaneously showcasing the bands ability to groove and improvise as a unit through different genres. All four members switch between lead and harmony vocals as well as lead and rhythm instruments to really showcase everyones talents.

Duluth-based northwoods funk jam band Saltydog consists of Jacob Mahon on guitar and vocals, drummer Owen (Owie) Mahon (who also does vocals), Calzone on the Bass, Sam (Samtana) on guitar, Lefty on aux percussion/vocals and Gavin St Clair on keys/vocals.

Out of the northern midwest and the banks of the mighty Mississippi River grew this “Groovy Grass” band of music makers. High & Rising is a unique combination of instruments that bring a fresh groovy sound to the Bluegrass & Folk Americana scene.

Wurk is a 5-piece funk-fusion group that formed in Madison, WI in 2016. Inspired by Snarky Puppy, Umphrey’s McGee, Herbie Hancock, and many others; their innovative original songs and ambitious interpretations of popular covers offer an impressive multi-genre exploration of funk, jazz fusion, prog rock, reggae, and more. Described by Isthmus Magazine as “summer-jam-perfect”, their sound seeks to employ a musically educated tone; Wurk fills the gap between complexity and groove, impressing fans and keeping them dancing all night. The Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) Awards recognized their rapid ascent to stardom in 2018 with the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award; then only six months later Wurk won five more awards including the coveted 2019 MAMA Artist of the Year Award. Wurk’s 2021 single “Ignition” won the 2022 MAMA for Song of the Year Award and helped the group become recognized once more as the 2022 MAMA Artist of Year.

Max Morkri drives the band with his blend of solid grooving and intricate drum chops, which is coupled by Casey Seymour’s powerful bass lines to glue the band together. Frank Laufenberg (guitar/vocals) provides rhythmic and tonal complexity while filling the role as the principal songwriter and vocalist. Daniel Haschke (saxophones/flute) and Carl Hipenbecker (trumpet/vocals) top it off with impressive horn lines and effects. Most of Wurk’s members grew up in Mount Horeb, WI, just west of Madison; their shared background creates the band’s closeness and ability to communicate complicated ideas musically.

There are a lot of bands performing and releasing music to the masses - there are not many that can bring a feeling of pure soul. Jon Sullivan Band is a group that can. The band is an ensemble including soulful guitar, sultry keyboards, driving bass, and a booming rhythm section. Their music blooms from origins in soul, funk, rock and blues, unlocking feelings of nostalgia while also being something that stands in its own realm. Led by the powerful, yet silky voice of Jon Sullivan, this band paints a picture through each song that is drenched in emotion, sprawling with funky melodies and leaves you with a feeling that you have traveled somewhere majestic.

What do we sound like? Smack a snake in its head with a wooden spoon while it is eating garbage. That is what we sound like. We are currently the highest ranked band in Dane Co.

Ghostland Radio brings rag-tag nomad rock to life as a homegrown Winona band tuning into the unseen with powerful vocal and musical arrangements. The band features Bryan Crigler (guitar), Mariah Ciangiola Short, Sierra Kliscz and Noah Short(drums) on vocals and harmonies along with Jim Trouten on guitar, Ingrid Ogren on violin and Scott Lochner on bass. The music is spawned from the recesses of the mind and projected from the places we tend to hide within ourselves. Places we rarely go. A realm of ghosts. We project the inhabitants of this ghostland back out into the world through our music.

My Grandma's Cardigan is a folk rock group that came together in the heart of Winona, MN. What started as a folk duo jamming in a living room, has grown into a great group of friends that love playing music together. Their melodic harmonies and fun upbeat sounds have made their way across the midwest. They have a little something for everyone.

Sugar Lads is a rockin' funkin' jammin' goof band! Playing a variety of originals and tasty covers!

The Iowans, a bluegrass-folk fusion duo consisting of Katie Fassbinder-Getz and Christina Dollhausen. The Iowans consist of Dollhausen playing rhythm guitar while her cousin, Fassbinder-Getz, plays banjo and sings close harmonies. Guesting on bass is Andy Olson, a childhood friend of Katie's who also grew up in Iowa. In addition to playing with The Iowans, Andy plays in the band Officer Friendly, based in the Chicago suburbs.

Charlieboy is the byproduct of Keegan, Kaya, Owen, and Sam. Each bringing their own thoughts and processes to their well-defined, one of a kind sound. Entangling art rock with pop, jazz, punk, prog and even folk; having no one label or genre in mind has allowed them to write and express themselves without the perimeters put upon by any one market. However, the band is neatly dubbed "indie rock", and respect the handle due to there being no other way to categorize their music.

The crew became what is know as Charlieboy in the Summer of 2021, after Kaya, Keegan and prior bass player, Noah caught wind of a talented drummer boy named Owen. With their combined forces, and preciously written songs, the band put out their very first release "More Flora" a home recorded, five track EP, released in March of 2022. More Flora was the culmination and embodiment of specific past experiences regarding love, friendship, pain and healing. All of which, written during the band mates highschool days, years prior.

Shortly after the release of More Flora, Charlieboy made the conscious effort to recruit Sam, the bass player and band mate they have today. With Sam's outlook and energy, the band was nudged in a new era, with new songs stemming from a more mature and collected state of mind. Which is evident in the group's debut studio album, "People Garden" a yet to be released record that serves as a genuine testimony to Charlieboy's potential and strengths.

It’s unclear whether The Getaway is robbing a bank, or going on vacation, but sunglasses are involved either way. Their original music is somewhere beyond psychedelic funk-pop, or electro synthwave, digging a deep new groove for “Upper Mississippi Valley Rock and Roll”. When class and grime collide, it’s a little unsettling, but wildly satisfying…“sparkles, distortion, and sequins.”

The Getaway includes vocalist Jasmine AH, guitarist Bill Fiorella, bass and synthmaster Shane Kouba, drummer and music producer Mitchell Hopkins, keyboardist and back-up vocalist Katie Getz, and hype-man/manager extraordinaire, Sam Hudnall.

Jasmine AH’s other-worldly voice and stunning range enraptures listeners with both warmly melodic and powerfully cathartic sounds. She has been singing on stage since she was a toddler and sang in the jazz and rock bands in high school, hoping to emulate heroes like Ella Fitzgerald, Yma Sumac, and Robert Plant. She got distracted by motherhood and medical school, but her partner, Sam, was directed by her childhood music teacher to “never let her stop singing.” Her prolific songwriting exploded when she fronted Madison-based eclectic rock band, Igneous. Her move to rural western Wisconsin forced Jasmine to experiment with solo projects as Chicory – exorbitant haunting harmonies resulted, but Sam could see her hunger for collaborators. Sam diligently gathered talent, including . . .

Originally from The Bronx, NY, Bill Fiorella earned his chops in the New York music scene of the 1990’s, where he attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He played professionally as a side man and studio player, and fronted his own avant-garde jazz orchestra, The Magical Orchestra of Truth. After leaving NY to make his home in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, Fiorella has continued to create, perform, record, and produce music through his studio, Lone Pine Records. In The Getaway, Fiorella weaves his deep jazz roots and world music knowledge into expansive, virtuoso guitar work that seamlessly spans and melds genres.

Hailing from the richly musical community of Viroqua, WI, The Getaway’s electric bass and synth player, Shane Kouba, was trained in classical violin in early life. By his teens, he began diving into the world of bass and guitar. Now, having been in the professional live sound production industry for over 10 years Kouba also mixes dance parties as Basatek in addition to his instrumental work in The Getaway. In his live performances, Kouba readily demonstrates his breadth of skill with electronic instrumentation. He intertwines a multitude of disparate styles between his bass and synth—providing key contributions to The Getaway’s signature soundscape.

The Getaway’s drummer, Mitchell Hopkins, comes to the band with a wealth of percussion experience that ranges from years of being a street musician in Minneapolis and leading community drum circles to being an underground house and techno DJ and producer under the name Spunion. Hopkins has been a forerunner in the Driftless area creating rave events with regional DJ’s and live electronic music performance. He is also currently producing a solo multi-genre electronic music album. Between his unparalleled love of jamming and finding the perfect groove, Hopkins focuses his talents for The Getaway on creating irresistibly danceable beats. There is a synergy that takes off when Hopkins’ wildness, freedom, and play with strategic tempo changes, meets the strings, synth, and vocals in the band.

Multi-instrumentalist Katie Getz supplies seasoned steadiness with keys and back-up vocals, and a wild effervescence with trumpet, melodica, and percussion, leveling up The Getaway’s genre-resistance. Getz was classically trained on piano and trumpet early in life, and heavily influenced by Indie, Jam, and Grunge rock in her formative years as a musician. She is a founding member, vocalist, and banjo player for the Driftless Americana/Folk staple, The Iowans. Getz’s solidity, humility, and musical prowess are both launching pad and rocket ship in The Getaway’s alternating absurdist and mundane poetry.

The Getaway is in the midst of mixing and mastering their first album, “Behind the Shine,” which should be out by the end of 2023. In the meantime, their first single, “He’s Got His Own,” is available on all the streaming platforms, and “Took It Away” is expected to drop in November 2023.