JAM
Northeast Ohio Music & Art Magazine 2014 Favorites
JAM
Letter From The Creator: JAM is a Northeast Ohio-focused music magazine that I put together as a small project to accompany my blog, “Tea Time With The Mad Artist.” This area is stocked full of amazingly talented individuals, many of them I call my friends, and I wanted to take out the time to highlight them. Within these pages, you will find photos of some of my favorite bands from the area as well as two from out of state. I have also written a short blurb about each band and listed ways that you can check out their music. I hope everyone enjoys this magazine and don’t forget to follow my blog! That’s a great way to find information on the cool happenings in the Northeast Ohio area. All of the photos and art work are copyrighted, so any use of my work without my expressed permission is prohibited. Bronlynn Thurman
Contents
Hey Monea!
5
The Ohio Weather Band
9
Winslow
12
The Lighthouse & The Whaler
15
Maid Myriad
18
Daniel Rylander
21
Cody J. Martin
24
Allen Cruz & The Galaxy
27
Dinner and a Suit
30
Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why
33
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2
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Š Bronlynn Thurman
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Photos Taken at Musica
Hey Monea! Hey Monea! is a Canton-based, 3-piece rock band with quite the impressive resume. Established in 2005 by brothers, Dan (vocals and guitar) and Nate (bass) Monea, and Adam Orin (drums), Hey Monea! was signed by Hard Rock Records following the winning of the 2012 Hard Rock Calling Competition. Since then, they’ve produced two albums, “Wine, Women, & Song” and “Cheap Souvenirs.” They have also toured across the U. S., playing with well-known artists and were a part of the 2012 Rock Boat festival.
Their sound is an up-beat blend of pop and rock with lyrics focusing on good times with good friends. They are currently about to begin their 2015 winter tour and will be playing the 2015 Rock Boat festival. You can find their albums on iTunes, Bandcamp, and Spotify.
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The Ohio Weather Band The Ohio Weather Band is a 4-piece Alliance-based band that was one of the first to really introduce me to the Northeast Ohio music scene. Because of this, they have a special place in my heart. Established in 2012, they are comprised of Corey King (lead vocalist and guitarist), Derek Strata (bassist), Ray Lumpp (keyboardist), and Pete Childerson (drummer). They touch on a wide-range of genres including, but not limited to Blues and Americana Rock. Kings’ interesting voice and strong songwriting abilities pair well with the overall raw, downto-earth sound of the band.
Photos Taken at The Auricle
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They released their debut, self-titled album in April of last year and it is a pretty awesome listen. It takes you through the life and trials of a man in his twenties, dealing with love, heartbreak, and friendship. What is so impressive about this, is the fact that they produced this album themselves under their label Ohio Weather Records. It can be found on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, and at any of their shows. They’ve had a busy 2014 and I look forward to seeing what they have in store this year.
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Winslow
Winslow is an Akron, Ohio-based, 5-piece band that blends soul, pop, and rock. It was established in 2005 and is comprised of Maurice Fleming Martin (vocals), Matt Tieman (saxaphone), Charlie Trenta (guitar), Danny Kolliner (bass), and Jesse Marquardt (drums). In early 2014, they were the winners of Hard Rock Rising Ohio section. Although they didn’t win the full competition, they haven’t let that stop them. Since then, they’ve gone on to create the official anthem for ABC’s “Dawgs on the Run” about the Cleveland Browns and were the headliners for Akron’s Porch Rokr event with a Michael Jackson tribute. Signed with Little Fish Records, they have one album under their belt (“Left of the Right Direction”) and are currently working on their second one. Since the first album released in 2010, they’ve added 3 new members and continued their impressive growth in sound. I really enjoy this band because it is quite different from a lot of the bands in the area.
Photo Taken at Musica
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You find a lot of rock and metal, but not as much soul. That combined with Martin’s enthusiastic energy and fun stage presence, it is a bit refreshing. You can find their previous album on iTunes and Amazon. The “Dawgs on the Run” Anthem, “Pound for Pound,” can be found on their website.
Photos Taken at Musica
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The Lighthouse &The Whaler The Lighthouse & The Whaler is an unsigned, Cleveland-area indie/folk band that was established in 2008. Comprised of Michael and Matthew LoPresti, Mark Porostosky, and Ryan Walker, it has captured the attention of wellknown brands such as MTV, SXSW, and Spinner. With two albums and an EP under their belt, this band is no stranger to the spotlight. I first encountered them while perusing Spotify. Immediately after, I went to their show at The Grog Shop in Cleveland. Their most recent album, “This is an Adventure (2012)”, is a favorite of mine. In addition to each song having an interesting title, it’s a fun album that makes me want to escape to the woods and live wild and free. Like most of their work, it focuses on love and relationships interjecting raw emotion into every line. Photos Taken at The Grog Shop
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With a cool, melodious sound, they also stand out from other bands that I’ve heard in this area. They are currently working on new music and continuing to play shows. Because it’s been a while since they’ve released an album, it will be interesting to see how their sound has evolved since then. You can find any of their albums on Spotify, iTunes, and Bandcamp.
Photos Taken at The Grog Shop
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MAID MYRIAD
Maid Myriad is a 3-piece, touring, rock band out of Akron, Ohio. They are comprised of vocalist and guitarist, Jeff “JCK” Klemm, bassist, Mario Tonathy, and drummer, Greg Meisenberg. They have such an interesting sound because you immediately think that they’re going to be a metal band, but that’s not quite right. They’re more along the progressive/alternative rock line and it is sweet, beautiful chaos. I’m really reminded of Coheed and Cambria which makes them appeal to me even more. They have just released their debut, full-length album, “With Haste On Its Breath,” this past October and it is phenomenal. Thought-provoking, heavy lyrics combined with a melodic sound makes even the darkness seem like a beautiful, seductive angel of light.
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Photos Taken at Kent Stage
They are already working on a new album and gearing up for a winter tour beginning in the first quarter of 2015. You can find their album on their website, Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp and any of their shows.
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Daniel Rylander
A Stow native, Daniel Rylander began seriously getting into music after the death of his brother in 2012. He released his debut album, “Strawberry Skyline,” in the fall of 2013. It’s a good, clean album with easy to memorize lyrics and love as the overwhelming theme. We are led through its various forms, from new to lost to all-consuming and unrequited. It’s a young, 20-something baring his soul for the world to see. His voice is fresh, youthful. It’s the sound of a man not completely jaded by life, a tad bit hopeful if you will. Often he plays with Brian Fackelman on bass and his brother, Stephen Rylander, on drums. Since his album was released, he has produced a single called “Maui Wowii” which makes use of a ukulele and has a very longing, soft, loving sound. Currently, he’s working on an EP and playing shows across Northeast Ohio. You can find his album on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, and at any of his shows.
Photo taken at Buzzbin
Photos Taken at Musica
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Teatimewiththemadartist.com
Cody J. Martin
Cody J. Martin is a talented singer-songwriter from the Massillon, OH area. He covers a wide range of genres, including blues, country, and folk. I got the chance to first hear him play at his album release show last January and I was impressed. Martin is a joy to watch on the guitar and has such an amazing voice that oozes emotion coupled with a hint of a twang that I appreciate more as I’ve grown older. His debut album, “Somewhere You’d Rather Be,” is a somber record that pulls at the heartstrings. It’s perfect for rainy days when you want to stay in and brood a bit. This is a man who has a real knack for creating beautifully woven imagery with his lyrics and emotive voice.
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I found it fascinating that Martin used things like cofffehouse type chatter and bell tolls in his album. It works out well and gives it a rougher feel. Currently, he is playing shows around the Northeast Ohio area. You can find his debut album on iTunes, his website, Spotify, and at his shows.
Photos Taken at The Auricle
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Allen Cruz & The Galaxy
Allen Cruz & The Galaxy is an indie, pop rock, band out of Akron, OH. They are comprised of Allen Cruz (vocalist and guitarist), Josh Huddleston (guitar), Paul Merendino Jr. (drums), and Brian Crace (bass). This is a band that has no problem tapping into older generations and producing a sound that is quite unique to this area. They released their newest EP, “Talk About the Moon,� in July of 2014 and it is mood-lifting and love-focused. Many of the songs are Jazz-inspired and you can hear some Bruno Mars influence from Cruz. They are currently playing shows around Northeast Ohio. You can find their newest EP on Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, and at their shows.
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Photos Taken at Musica
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Š Bronlynn Thurman
Dinner and a Suit
Dinner and a Suit is a 4-piece, Nashville, Tennessee rock band that was established in 2008. It is made up of cousins, Jonathan Capeci (vocals/guitar) and Joey Beretta (guitar/vocals), Anthony Geneca (bass), and Drew Scheuer (drums). The band name was inspired by Capeci and Beretta’s grandmother. They have spent the last few years touring and have one album and an EP under their belt. Due to their constant touring, their sound has evolved while on the road and that produces interesting results. Their recently released EP called “Stay” is an emotional journey that pulls at the listener’s heartstrings. It focuses on the complications of love and is fairly consistent. Everything just seems to fit together.
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Currently, they are touring and working on new songs. You can find their EP and album on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, and at their shows.
Photos Taken at Musica
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Bronlynn-Thurman.com
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Quincy Mumford & The reason Why Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why is one of the funkiest bands I’ve heard all year. I got a chance to check them out during the Hey Monea! show. They’re a New Jersey-based funk, rock, R&B band that knows how to jam. Led by Quincy Mumford, this band has produced several records and traveled all across the U.S. Other band members include Nick Iannelli (guitar), Mike Zdeb (guitar), and David Vossel (drums). They play some real “feel good” music that will get the crowd dancing. They also do some amazing covers of classics like “Proud Mary.”
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Photos Taken at Musica
The album they’ve been promoting recently is “It’s Only Change” which was released in 2013. It has a lot of jazz, R&B, reggae, and soul influences. The idea of change seems to be at the center of all the songs. They also seemed to have released an album called “Stories and Songs” on iTunes and Spotify in early 2014 and it has a touch of reggae, funk, and R&B to it. Many of the songs on “It’s Only Change” are featured in it, so I assume that it is more of an extension album. The song topics tend to center around interaction with a love interest and hanging out with friends listening to music. If you want to get the chance to hear them live, you’re in luck. They are about to start a tour across the U.S. at the beginning of this year. You can find their music on their website, iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify, and at their shows.
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Final Words Firstly, I would like to thank the people who took out the time to read my first magazine. I really appreciate all of you. This first issue is short, sweet, and to the point, but it’s my brainchild. I’ve spent months going to shows, editing photos, learning about bands, making friends, and pushing myself to my very limits to create what you see here. This was no small project by any means and I may have taken on more than I could chew. I pushed back the release date several times, but it was well worth it because it’s finally here and I’m happy with it. Next, I would like to thank all of the bands that I saw this year. You all really helped me appreciate music even more than I did. It’s been an enlightening experience getting to know most of you and I can’t wait to see what else you all have in store. Finally, I would like to thank the people closest to me. Without you all, I would’ve never gotten this far. Every single one of you have encouraged me and supported me even when I thought I wasn’t good enough. It’s been a long road and there’s more to come. 2015 will be a year to remember. I hope to go out to see more bands and do a better job of time management. I really want to push the blog a lot more and show the world that Northeast Ohio is a pretty cool place. Thanks again everyone. Bronlynn “The Mad Artist” Thurman January 1, 2015
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