By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
The Stephan Michael Connection The Stephan Michael Connection combine the sounds of soul and funk with the lyrics of familiar classics — sweet soul music and funky dance tunes from Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Sam and Dave to the soulful rock n’ roll of Van Morrison, J. Geils, Bill Withers, and Billy Preston. They wanted to call themselves the Cluster Funks but thought their mothers might object. Growing up in the Detroit area, it’s easy to see how... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
Nancy Kelly Nancy Kelly’s vocal style is a study in phrasing, style and swing. She’s both old school and new. She’s experienced, yet her delivery and ideas are fresh. She can take a song and turn it up or down, and leave you believing that it was meant to be exactly that way. It takes great jazz chops to do that, and Kelly’s are superb. She has earned many awards and enlisted fans from around the globe. Nancy began her musical career with piano lessons at age four in her hometown of Rochester,... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
DAMION SUOMI and PALEFACE As dedicated Resident readers should already know, Cocoa Beach-based singer/songwriter Damion Suomi crafts elegant, drink-fueled lamentations and explosive, midtempo rockers with one ear cocked toward the dusty world of alternative country and the other bent toward the Irish tradition. Suomi spent a number of years filling time in various local bands before striking out on his own, and his eponymous debut album, a collection of tunes that were “birthed from pubs, drinks,... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
CAN’T HANG Can’t Hang has “It” — that indescribable quality that draws people in. “It” could be the tight rhythm section, the booming bass, the unique, punky-dub guitars, or the reggae-infused songs noted for their smooth vocals and catchy melodies, but the four-piece have an ability to turn any crowd of boring sitters into dancing fans. Made up of vocalist Luke Mysko, guitarist Steve Lynch, bassist Rob Eisenhut, and drummer Alex Crowley, Can’t Hang have... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
Ben Wilson Strange Dogs CBJS; 2009 “Easy Listening,” within the parlance of music criticism, is usually invoked with snobbish derision and aimed at the unchallenging, watered-down compositions of John Tesh or Yanni. It has however become a legitimate genre unto itself, one in which several honest musicians have flourished. Local singer/songwriter and guitarist Ben Wilson isn’t one of their ilk, at least not in the strictest sense, but his latest CD, Strange Dogs, could definitely... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
It isn’t only Eek-A-Mouse’s imposing, 6′6″ frame that makes him one of Jamaica’s most individual talents. Since he began recording in 1980, Eek has created a style all his own and has gone on to become something of an international phenomenon quite distinct from the rest of the reggae world. Born Ripton Joseph Hylton in Kingston, Jamaica, Eek got his unusual name from a racehorse that frequently lost him money. When the horse finally won a race, he had, of course, refused... [Read more...]
By: Kimberly Stone
Article Category: Local Amp
Through open mics and word of mouth, Elephantgun have made a substantial name for themselves as one of the more eclectic bands on the Space Coast. Comprised of Trevor Prince on guitar and vocals, David Pastorius on bass, and Tom Van Dyke on drums, Elephantgun offers a sound laden with a Southern punk/funk feel. As diverse as they are many, their influences, from the Allman Brothers and Kings of Leon to Ginger Baker and Mother Hips, are just a few voices Elephantgun channel through their original... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
Meet a fresh young singer from Austria, whose 2000 US debut was hailed as “captivating.” Jazz legend Ira Sullivan calls her “a great young talent” with a big future in jazz. Simone Kopmajer (“kop-mayer”) grew up in a family of musicians and started to sing in her father’s band when she was 12. At the same time she studied piano, though singing remained her first love. Early on, she entered and won various talent contests and even made appearances on television... [Read more...]
By: Tobin Bennison
Article Category: Local Amp
Set for Sunday, December 20 in the heart of the Eau Gallie Arts District, the 1st Annual Winter Arts & Music Festival will bring together some of the area’s finest musicians, artists, and vendors for a free, all-ages community event. The Festival also promises to attract attention to the ways in which artists and musicians can work together with local businesses to breathe new life into similar communities. With the help of the EGAD! consortium, Eau Gallie has been swiftly transformed... [Read more...]
By Kimberly Stone
Article Category: Local Amp
The Cocoa-Beach based Ovni Sound System combine elements of catchy, pop-punk hooks, upbeat trombone-driven ska, infectious reggae rhythms, and hard-driving rock. Though they’ve only been together for a brief seven months, O.S.S. are carving out a strong name for themselves within Brevard’s highly competitive indie rock scene. Comprised of Carlos (vocals and guitar), bassist Jeremy, drummer Justin and Sam on trombone and keyboards, this professional, goal-oriented quartet already enjoy... [Read more...]
