Cabinet’s fresh sound is the product of a diverse group of musicians with unique influences and backgrounds. The band consists of six talented musicians – J.P. Biondo (mandolin, vocals), Pappy Biondo (banjo, vocals), Mickey Coviello (acoustic guitar, vocals), Todd Kopec (fiddle, vocals), Dylan Skursky (electric/upright bass, vocals) and Jami Novak (drums/percussion).
Born into a large Irish Catholic family in Buffalo, N.Y., Willie began writing songs in his early teens. After graduating from the University at Buffalo with a B.A. in Philosophy, he moved to Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. During his first winter there, he was sidelined by pneumonia. While spending nearly a year recuperating, he concentrated on honing his songwriting skills. After his recovery, Nile became a popular fixture in the Village’s folk clubs, while drawing inspiration from the emerging downtown punk scene. His budding career received a major boost from a high-profile New York Times piece by legendary critic Robert Palmer, who called Nile “an exceptional talent” and “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.”
Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams have been called "the hillbilly Pink Floyd," which is an apt description, particularly if you throw in elements of Incredible String Band, Neil Young, The Band, Dylan, and maybe even some Frank Zappa as well. Upon returning recently from the U.K. this fall where they spread their contagious brand of quirky Americana from Glasgow to Penzance, the band completed work on their fourth studio album, “The Grand Slambovians”. The advent of “The Grand Slambovians” is both the band’s latest reincarnation and the title of their new soul stirring CD.
"This band is at once completely original and entirely familiar. A truly magical experience even if you're just having a conversation with them. It's been a privilege to play their special brand of music on the air. All hail the Circus of Dreams!"
South Florida pop/rock band The Livesays deserves to be heard on a national stage. Locals have known this to be so since their inception in 1996. The quintet of seasoned veteran musicians has got the radio-ready mojo going on – a chemistry and sound that are all at once comfortably familiar and walking the edge of “Who is THAT?”
Led by Billy Livesay, longtime lead singer and guitarist for the late Clarence Clemons’ band Temple of Soul, whose soulful, smoky rasp and vocal range are nothing short of killer, the group has recorded their latest album, “Rose Colored Glasses,” released by Echo XS Entertainment. Twelve of the thirteen tracks are written or co-written by the singer, with one cool cover – Dylan’s “My Back Pages.” This record oozes talent, from the solid musicianship to memorably commercial melodies to dead-on rock arrangements by Livesay.
Take a healthy dose of hard hitting classic rock, mix in a bit of lightning enriched blues, and add a dash of the funkiest of funk, mix and shake til thoroughly blended into a musical delight for the ears and you have Acken Road. This band will have you stomping your feet, shaking your hips and your inner soul begging for more.
The five-piece rock band Wig Party was formed in 2010 in Central New Jersey. Charles Kirby (vocals), Ryan Quick (drums), and Vincent Ventriglia (guitar/vocals), former members of the northeast regional band The Dirty Drop (2005-2009), asked old friend Greg Del Deo (bass) to form a new group that became Wig Party. The group spent most of 2010 writing material and recording their first album, which was never officially released. In early 2011, Wig Party added a fifth member, Hank Rosenthal (keyboards/vocals) and continued to write, leading up to their latest trip into the studio, an effort that resulted in their most recent recording, Glass Girls. Working with producer Anthony Krizan (Spin Doctors, Lenny Kravitz, Noel Redding), singer/songwriter Tom Marshall (Phish, Amfibian), and Grammy Award-winning engineer Tom Camuso (Steve Earle) the band transformed its sound with their new release.
As a visual artist, Broken Arrow, Okla., native JD McPherson is well versed in the process of working within clearly defined formal parameters, and he employs a similarly rigorous discipline with his music. On Signs & Signifiers (Rounder, April 17), McPherson’s seductively kickass debut album, produced by JD’s musical partner, Jimmy Sutton, this renaissance man/hepcat seamlessly meshes the old and the new, the primal and the sophisticated, on a work that will satisfy traditional American rock ’n’ roll and R&B purists while also exhibiting McPherson’s rarefied gift for mixing and matching disparate stylistic shapes and textures.
Known for their incredible live performances, Quimby Mountain Band is quickly reaching new heights as they have opened up for several major acts in the last few months. Currently working on their newest CD, their most recent CD, “Move On”, continues to gain super reviews, with two of the songs on the disc getting air time nationally on the Sirius XM Jam Station.
The Hackettstown, NJ-based musicians first joined forces in 2005 while in high school and quickly gained a strong following in the Northwest part of NJ. That core following has become even larger as the members graduated from high school and spread their wings throughout the tri-state area. They have since gained a following in parts of the south, where they play regularly now in Virginia. A recent tour also took them through Nashville and Atlanta. ~ www.quimbymountainband.net
A New Jersey native, organist John Ginty has toured and recorded with artists such as Jewel, Santana, Matthew Sweet, Sheryl Crow, Ryan Adams, Bad Religion, and he was an original member of Robert Randolph and the Family Band, a band in which he received two Grammy Nominations, as well as a Gospel Music Award for Urban Album of the year in 2003. That same year, John appeared on the Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy Award winner Higher Ground. His discography spans over a decade and a half, and demonstrates his eclectic influences and unique sounds on the keys.
“Karl Latham is an inventive powerhouse whose influences are many but whose ideas are his own.” – Jeff Tamarkin Allmusic.com
Karl Latham is a NY-based and internationally recognized drummer.
He is known for his exceptional ability to dig into a variety of musical styles, playing straight-ahead jazz, avant-garde, funk, rock, Latin, and more.
A native of New Jersey, Denny has been performing for his devoted fans for over three decades. His heartwarming and thought provoking songs touch the heart and speak to fans of all ages.
Denny is currently working on his 5th Album with Producer-Engineer Tom Askin (Samples, Alaskan). His credits include Albums(CDs) Real Life Stories (1997 SPI Label), Generations (2000 SPI Label), Shoulda Seen The Dream (BOS Music Label 2003), Long Way Home (2007 SPI Label). Openers for include: Dave Mason, Roger McGuinn, Christopher Cross, Aztec 2 Step, Moody Blues, Chris Hillman and more.
Chuck Schaeffer received 6 nominations and won Best Country Band at the Montgomery Bucks Music Awards 2012. His 2nd cd, ‘Along These Lines’, peaked at #2, PA Roots Radio Charts and spent 10 weeks on the US Top 50 Roots Country Radio Charts,reaching #37. He just recorded a live album for his 3rd project, which will be released in the coming months.
He has opened for or shared the stage with David Allan Coe, Roy Clark, Ralph Stanley, Sonny Landreth, Craig Bickhardt, Steve Pullara, Larry Siegel and Lisa Bouchelle. He has been featured in many TV, radio and media outlets. His song “Big Ole Buick” was the opening theme song for “Under the Hood”, WBCB-AM. He performed at the Phillies World Series Rallies in 2008 / 2009.
Chasing June is the folk rock collaboration of two New Jersey singers and songwriters, Judy Aron and Steve Coleman.
“Many times I see “new” artists who seem s as though they are forcing something about their performance...they often seem like they are trying to follow a pattern and end up hiding their true talents. Watching Chasing June, I saw two performers who enjoy making music, and whose talents are evident and highly original. There was joy on the stage, and it was infectious among the audience who were enjoying the great music. I can't wait to hear more!” -Ron Olesko “Traditions” WFDU & “The Village” Sirius Satellite Radio
Hailing from the northwest region of NJ, Judy and Steve first met in the summer of 2009 when Judy was holding court on stage at Lake Mohawk’s famous brewpub Kroghs. Steve drifted over to have a listen, and in about 1-2 minutes, he knew he might have found a writing partner, who could sing her heart out and command her guitar. Judy and Steve liked the idea of a co-writing duo and quickly went to work as Chasing June.
Carrie and Lindsay Pfeiffer are identical twin sisters who hail originally from Blairstown, NJ, but now live in Newton. They began singing at the age of four, songwriting at nine, and joined their first band "The Still River Band" in 2002 at the ages of eighteen. It was in this band that the twins gained experience on stage and radio, as well as in the recording studio performing traditional country and folk music. In 2007, Carrie and Lindsay left "Still River" to form a new rock band, "The Knockout Naturals," with several friends. But the twins soon realized that they needed to make their own unique sound. The "Knockouts" disbanded and Carrie and Lindsay went on to perform as an acoustic duo, blending their country roots with a rock edge and a pop appeal. Their original music has a rootsy folk-rock vibe and shows off their beautiful seamless harmonies. The Twins draw inspiration from their own lives for their song lyrics; they sing about love, loss, personal struggles, women's issues, and personal empowerment, among other topics. Presently, they are writing, recording, and co-producing their debut album of all original songs with Anthony Krizan at Sonic Boom Studios in Raritan, NJ.
Ezra Tarlowe is an 18-year old singer/songwriter from Mansfield Township who is quickly making a name for himself as talented performer. Since forming his first band when he was in sixth grade, he's moved through a succession of bands performing both covers and his own material. In 2012 he self-produced his first EP of five original songs, handling the guitars, bass, keyboards and vocal tracks himself. For now he's set aside his electric guitar and can be found in area venues such as the Inn at Millrace Pond, and Mama's Pizza and Cafe Bacci as a solo artist, acoustic guitar in hand, singing his latest original songs along with classic and current favorites. He has also appeared at the Festival in the Borough and JoeFest, among other bigger events.
