Teagan & The Tweeds
|
Just back from SXSW in Austin, TX
If you’ve yet to experience the soul-grooving, body-moving, spirit-soothing sound of Teagan and the Tweeds, you don’t know what you’re missing. Don’t let their collegiate-clad name fool you; this band is anything but stodgy and conservative. A six-piece ensemble that includes a Hammond organ and pedal-steel guitar, the Tweeds rock a blues-country-folk vibe that fills a venue like nobody’s business. With their consistently high-energy performances and wide-ranging musical appeal, Teagan and the Tweeds have amassed an impressive following in and around Rochester, attracting new admirers at every show.
Front woman and singer/songwriter, Teagan Ward, is a home-grown vocal phenomenon. As Frank DeBlaise of 98.9 The Buzz’s Sunday Night Shakedown put it, “Ward’s voice is easily twice her size.” Complementing Teagan’s rich, soulful sound is the sweet, spirited voice of Katy Wright, the band’s keyboardist/organist. A singer/songwriter in her own right, Katy is a classically trained pianist who brings a deep knowledge and love of music to the Tweeds.
Leading the rhythm section is Chilean sensation, Alfredo Encina, whose drumming is everything it should be: confident, clean and, like Alf himself, just a little bit naughty. His zeal for music is obvious and contagious as he cheerfully bangs away on the skins, always keepin’ it tight and keepin’ it real. Helping Alf hold it down is Tweeds bassist, Jeremy “Oh No He Di-n’t” Stoner. Solid, funky, and mad savvy, Jeremy does his job well ‘cause the boy don’t mess around. And as if his bass playing weren’t impressive enough, Jeremy’s vocal harmonies are spot on and complement the ladies’ sound quite nicely.
Tearing it up on lead guitar is Lou Giglio, whose deceptively unassuming demeanor masks one hell of a player. While his personality is polite, his playing is anything but. Ripping into solos like he’s got nothing to prove, Lou handles his axe with skill and grace. Across the aisle from Lou, “Inspector” Tommy Formicola delivers the twangy pedal-steel goodness that gives the Tweeds their special reverberatory flare. Concentrating on his craft with a focused intensity, Tommy’s never afraid to get down and dirty in that good country-blues kind of way. Soulful, lively, and roaringly good, Teagan and the Tweeds is one of the best bands in Rochester.
The six musicians that constitute this tour de force were brought together by their shared love of creating and performing live music, and man, does it show! Always on with the energy level turned way up, Teagan and the Tweeds is one band that is sure to please.
The MOHO Collective
The MOHO Collective is an alternative, ethnic, progressive, jazz, funk, and rock band. They are always pushing the norm, never accepting the first idea, and challenging one another with new collaborative tunes. Kurt Johnson composes much of the band’s music, but also plays the guitar(s) Lap/Pedal Steel and Percussion. Justin Rister plays the bass and is the band’s “arranger”. In addition to Kurt and Justin taking part in the band’s percussion ensemble, you’ll also find Ryan Barclay leading percussion on the drums.
The MOHO Collective is one of Rochester NY’s most creative and fresh sounding bands mixing a wide variety of world music together to create an earthy-organic-raw sound that grooves and captivates your attention.
The Sinzibukwud band
Sinzibukwud was formed in the fall of 2007 to play a benefit show in December. Thomas Devon Chamberlain (Guitar, harmonica and vocals), also known as TC and Aaron Hunt (Drums, percussion and back-up vocals) had played together for 8 years in a trio and then as an acoustic duet before Larry Kovnat (Piano, Hammond B3, Lead Synth) and Jon Renault joined Aaron and TC to form Sinzibukwud as they are known today
Together, they play a mix of fun-ky rockin dance-able groove standards and originals or maybe not. In the past few years, Sinzibukwud has expanded both their audience and song portfolio to include a large mix of music. They play a musical cornucopia of well over 100 cover songs and originals. You never know what they might play but they sure aim to please a large crowd with antics, group singing and socializing.
The Spirit of Ontario
The Spirit of Ontario “A sound like James Taylor and Neil Young driving down the lost highway with Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan in the back seat, while listening to a mix tape - oh, and the car probably has a Beatles bumper sticker”. The Spirit of Ontario was formed in 2006 by John Sacheli (Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica, Songwriting), Joe Myers (Drums, sarcasm, and creator of the universe), and Matt Klock (Bass, modular analog synth, hugeness, recording engineer).
“The Spirit of Ontario” is a Rochester-based band that is built around the acoustic, singer-songwriter style and honest vocal delivery of John Sacheli. Their debut album, “Simple Things,” is a lyrically loaded collection of acoustic songs that documents the beginnings of the band and life in the middle class.
While keeping their acoustic roots in the forefront, the three musicians have also started to play out as a “Power Trio.” The use of electric guitar, and the three-piece format brings a rawness, and “real” quality to their shows. On stage, the band connects on a level that likens them to Crazy Horse and Cream, but with a heavy emphasis on lyrical and social content that stems from their love of folk music.
Their music can be categorized as “alt-country,” but this band wasn’t meant to be labeled. They have very little in common with the modern sounds coming out of Nashville or L.A. and, if anything, would rather be compared to the gritty realism of Country and Rock music’s pioneers. Their sound is every bit as important as their message, and this band sure has something to say.
-Band bios compiled by Jenna Kempie
