El Ten Eleven w/ Michna, Ishi & American Royalty

EL TEN ELEVEN

“I really hope people don’t say that we are a math rock band!” doubleneck guitar/bass virtuoso Kristian Dunn exclaims while discussing his duo, El Ten Eleven’s, new album Transitions. Acoustic and electronic drummer Tim Fogarty adds, “We get labeled all kinds of things from post-rock to ambient to experimental… all of those make us cringe. So far my personal favorite label for the band has been ‘Power Duo’… it’s kind of ridiculous but I like it.”

Despite the absence of lyrics, their latest release, their fifth studio full-length album, may be the most personal to date. “Tim and I have been through a lot in the past couple of years,” Dunn reflects. “We’ve both been divorced, moved to different cities, Tim went through some really dark times, I got remarried and had a kid … for a while things were uncertain and we threw ourselves into the new record and it called for more than just short pop structures.”

Thus, the title track, “Transitions,” which clocks in at over ten minutes long, is a twisting journey of sublime unpredictability. But the band’s ability to write catchy, emotional hooks hasn’t been lost.

ETE has been debuting some of these new songs at festivals all summer and in the fall will embark on a national, headlining, six-week tour. The growing popularity of the band will see them playing bigger venues than they have in the past. In some markets they are graduating from clubs to theaters. “More transitions!” laughs Dunn.

El Ten Eleven on Facebook | El Ten Eleven on Twitter | Official Website

MICHNA

Growing up in both NY and Miami, Michna (real name: Adrian Michna) is that unique breed of artist that draws from both the urban and the tropical. As a youngster, Adrian started DJing parties with cassettes and playing trombone in a band on the NYC bar circuit including the infamous Lion’s Den and CBGB’s.
After moving to Miami in the mid-90’s, he co-founded the pioneering Secret Frequency Crew, who deftly mixed instrumental hip-hop and electronic into a coherent whole. Their appropriately titled 12” “Miami Eyes,” became an underground hit. SFC’s debut LP “Forest of the Echo Downs” also put Adrian on Ghostly’s radar as it was one of label founder Sam Valenti IV’s top LPs in 2004. In 2007, he was asked by Diplo to produce the song “Quero Te Amar” for the Brazilian group Bonde Do Role. Currently based in Brooklyn NY, Adrian Michna has become a staple in the NYC club scene, known for his chameleon like abilities. Outside of the club, he has been able to pursue interests such as building furniture, bicycles, and painting.
Adrian found his stride as a solo artist by bringing together his myriad influences into a succinct sonic persona with 2008’s debut LP Magic Monday and well-received single “Triple Chrome Dipped”. It was the producers tightly woven musical amalgam of beats, booty, electro and detailed process that made Michna’s debut album move. He followed up his debut with the Eggstra EP in 2009 which leaned more towards a heady mix of hip-hop beats and breakbeat.
From 2010-2011 Michna stayed busy doing remixes for Kelis, Joy Orbision, Phantogram, DM Stith, and Adult Swim’s “ATL RMX” Compilation.
The Fall of 2012 will see the release of his much anticipated EP, “Moving Mountains.” A great leap forward in terms of both songwriting and production with a more futuristic take on house meets midtempo beats.

Michna on Facebook | Michna on Twitter | Official Website

ISHI

Ishi formed in Dallas, Tx as a duo with JT Mudd & Brad Dale at the end of 2006. Their sound derived from their vision to unify the instrumentation of Folk music with the endless soundscapes of electronic production. They started the recording process early 2007 with the intent to take their listeners on a uplifting journey exploring new sounds & resolving back to their forefather “Folk” which inspired it all. Ishi released their debut record “Through The Trees” May, 2010 & received two awards in the 2010 Dallas Observer Music Awards for “Best New Act”&”Best Electronic/Dance Act”. In 2011 the band was nominated again for “Best Electronic/Dance Act”& received the award on 10/18/11. Ishi has shared bills with such bands as Phoenix, Pretty Lights, Big Boi, Neon Indian, Toro y Moi, Boombox, Twin Shadow, The Toadies, Marina & the Diamonds, Friendly Fires, Art vs. Science, El Ten Eleven, School of Seven Bells, & Matthew Dear. The band is currently working on their second record & plan for a 2012 release.

Ishi on Facebook | Ishi on Twitter | Official Website

AMERICAN ROYALTY

The lovechild of a studio experiment that was never meant to make it out into the wild, Los Angeles’ American Royalty constructs an unlikely yet glowingly functional blend of dark garage rock and poignant electronica. This creative soundscape is topped off by the two vocal leads of Marc Gilfry and Billy Scher, whose pipes both seem to fall somewhere in the realm of where eerie and soul meet back on the other side.

The psychedelic blues-rock three piece has already begun making their mark on the road over the past year, turning heads in the touring circuit with their unorthodox stage set up, a penchant for sprinkling in reworked bits of both the classic and obscure, and an explosively energetic and entrancingly unique live performance.

American Royalty on Facebook | American Royalty on Twitter | Official Website