Sol Cat w/ Electric Astronaut, Dames & Should’ve Been Cowboys

SOL CAT

There is no such thing as a landlocked island, except the one where Sol Cat seems to live. It’s like a place where the mind isn’t fully aware of its surroundings, and confusion welcomes the creativity it inspires. Sol Cat’s eponymous self-released debut album doesn’t necessarily transport you to South Florida from Nashville, TN, but that is an appropriate enough concept. If Music City defines firm lines between genres, Sol Cat’s album champions redistricting, creating challenging new sounds in this arena of the traditional.

Think of a midnight drive somewhere warm, certainly the top is down, and yes, a beauty is in the passenger seat. The six-piece band suggests you can take this foggy, dreamlike scenario with you wherever you go. However, Sol Cat finds its own contentment and happiness in the valleys of Middle TN, grateful for the opportunity to tap into the mystical and spiritual musical foundation on which the land is built. The Athens of the South has an appeal any artist can feel — an enticing, drawing temptation.

Before relocating, Sol Cat’s members spent their time across the country, Miami to Los Angeles, New York City to The Gulf of Mexico. Musical influences span just as wide, yet an eclectic and oceanic resonance remains prevalent in their sound. Smooth grooves along the lines of George McCrae mix with semi-psych synth layers, while the likes of The Talking Heads and Laid Back inspire bouncy bass and slick guitar riffs.

With such a range of cultural and artistic influence, the creative process is equally interesting. Vocalist and writer Brett Hammann steers the musical direction of the band while guitarist Johnny Fisher leads the group into new and uncharted territory. Drummer Ryan Usher provides the rhythmic backbone for bassist Aaron Martin, who also acts as Sol Cat’s Art Director. Lead guitarist Jaan Cohan brings catchy licks and skills to melt any face, leaving keyboardist and studio engineer Jeremy Clark to play intuitively as the music essentially produces itself.

The group is now prepared and eager for the road, with its groundwork set for the message to spread. The Sol Cat sound is not as unfamiliar as it is forgotten; and those feelings and emotions poured into music past are ready to gracefully wash over a new generation.

-Pedro Sanchez III

Sol Cat on Facebook | Sol Cat on Twitter | Official Website

ELECTRIC ASTRONAUT

Electric Astronaut is a rock band from College Station formed from the ashes of well-known locals, BonnieBlue and Legacy Fails.

Electric Astronaut on Facebook

DAMES

Dames, a newly formed garage/psych rock trio, creates raw energy through undeniable tone and fuzz to challenge the very word itself. By shaping their songs with catchy hooks and irresistible rhythm that builds up to a climax of musical excitement leaves the listener only wanting more. Dames certainly brings a heavily cultured style with fast-paced, bluesy riffs and choppy tones to distinguish a sound unlike another.

Dames on Facebook

Should’ve Been Cowboys

Should’ve Been Cowboys is a four-man Indie Rock band from College Station, TX. They formed a year ago and have performed throughout the Brazos County. Over the course of 2012, they performed thirty-eight shows. Front-man Clayton Tumlinson’s beautiful vocal melodies, Taylor Maddox’s attention-grabbing lead, Nathan Garcia’s dynamic drum style, and Brenton Kim’s solid foundation, compose Should’ve Been Cowboys. This fun and high-energy band will leave audiences floored for more.

Taylor Maddox comes from a family with absolutely no musical background or talent. He started playing guitar in 7th grade[2003]when his mother bought him an electric guitar for his birthday. In all honestly he started playing to catch the attention of a girl at church, but thanks to that, his dream of being a life-long musician was born. He met 2 of his best friends, Nathan and Clayton, at the same church in 2005 when we were all raw musicians. Barely knowing anything, Taylor climbed on stage and fell in love with it. Letting David Gilmore and Jimmy Page be his major influences as a young musician, he fell in love with multiple genres and allowed music to take over his world.

Clayton Tumlinson grew up playing music with his older brother, Bobby, who is 6 years older than him and played the piano. Clayton got his first acoustic guitar for Christmas from his aunt and uncle when he was 11 and they’ve been jamming together ever since. Right off the bat Clayton was writing songs and playing guitar without any prior knowledge how to do so. He played at the First Assembly of God in Marble Falls, Tx every Sunday with his brother and it was then that he realized he knew he wanted to be a musician. Since then he has put everything he has had into music. Leading with passion and ending with his own blood, sweat, and tears.
Nathan Garcia was surrounded by music from a young age. With a drummer and DJ for a father, music was always there. He learned to play the drums at a young age, performing in his first talent show at the age of 9. Ever since then, drumming, and music in general, have become his passion. At the age of 17 he started learning to play the guitar and his love for music grew exponentially ever since. After moving to College Station, Texas in 2010, he began forming relationships with other musicians he had met years before. This would eventually lead to the group Should’ve Been Cowboys being formed. Since then Nathan has been teaching guitar at a studio in College Station and hopes that through this he can share his love of music with a younger generation.
Brenton Kim began playing bass in Dallas, TX. Starting at the age fourteen, his musicality has developed throughout the years. Absorbing influences from multiple genres, Brenton approaches the bass with a peculiar and distinct feel.

Should’ve Been Cowboys on Facebook | Should’ve Been Cowboys on Twitter | Official Website