30 Seconds To Mars

30 Seconds To Mars is an American rock band comprised of three members: lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jared Leto, lead guitarist Tomo Miličević, and Bassist Matt Wachter. Considered one of the leaders in alternative rock and alternative metal, the band has achieved commercial success and critical acclaim.

The band was founded by Jared Leto and his brother Shannon in 1998. They briefly included drummer and percussionist Bret Cain for a brief period of time, but soon moved on to other drummers and eventually Matt Wachter joined the band as the official third member.

One of the most recognizable signatures for the band has been their elaborate live performances and use of innovative art and film techniques, that have drawn international attention throughout their tours. Leto often will send mysterious packages of various items to their fans before the tour beginnings.

Leto has been the leading visionary and architect behind the music ever since its conception in the late 90’s. From the summer of 2002 to October 2005, the band was put on hiatus due to Jared’s commitment’s in filmmaking and acting. During that time, Wachter left the band to finish attending college and become integrated with other bands as a touring bassist. Miles Sh shapean Evans became the temporary member for A Beautiful Lie/The Kill recording sessions and the rest of the subsequent tours.

In 2002, 30 Seconds to Mars released the debut album 30 Seconds to Mars, with their lead single and stadium anthem “Attack” entering the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts’ Top 20. In between albums, the band has since released their sophomore album A Beautiful Lie, an acoustic EP From Yesterday, the War DVD, and third album This is War. Successively, the albums achieved gold, followed by silver record status in Mexico City.

The lead single, “Kings and Queens” debuted at No. 26 of Billboard Hot 100, making it the first hit single from the band. In 2009, the band’s third studio album “This Is War” debuted at #15 on Billboard Hot 200. The lead single, ‘Closer to the Edge’ became the most requested single at modern Rock radio, pushing the album to breakthrough #1 hit status in France and Ireland.

The band is currently on tour promoting their fourth studio album, ‘’Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams’’ which was released in 2013. The lead single, ‘’Up In The Air’’ recently over 2 MILLION views combined and made Top 10 Singles Chart in 30 Countries worldwide. They had international tours since the release of this album, The Carnivores Tour with Linkin Park and AFI, as well as ClubTour with Thirty Seconds ToMars in China, Japan, Israel, Russia, Europe, and U.S.

The band is world renowned for their thrilling live performances, inspiring videos and the intense relationship with their fans internationally. To date, 30 Seconds To Mars has sold out arenas and stadiums in 45 countries around the world, scored multiple Top 10 Rock Singles worldwide, while also Playlist Chart-topping on Mainstream, Rock, and Alternative Radio across the U.S., with many of their tracks reaching multiple millions plays on the likes of Youtube and Spotify.

Continuing to stay connected with their fans, the band hosted The Summit Festival in August 2012––an ultra exclusive music festival that brought fans from around the world to join the band in celebration of the music, energy, and bond that connects them all.

30 Seconds To Mars ––a band passionate about their fans, their melding of sound and culture, and their special drive for communication and communion through music.

2Pac

Tupac Amaru Shakur was a talented American rapper, actor, activist, and a poet who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry during his lifetime. Born on June 16, 1971 in the East Harlem section of New York City, his mother, Afeni Shakur, was a member of the Black Panther Party ― an organization advocating self-determination for African Americans. At birth, his name was Lesane Parish Crooks, but it was changed to Tupac Amaru Shakur in 1972 (named after Tupac Amaru II, an 18th-century Incan freedom fighter) (*1). Tupac and his motherAfeni moved around a lot while he was growing up due to poverty.

Tupac’s first on-screen appearance was a role he shared in 1988’s movie ‘A lone Star Struck’. Later, he starred in several movies such as ‘Juice’, ‘Poetic Justice’ and ‘Above the Rim’. Tupac appeared on six studio albums namely “2Pac, Me Against the World”, “All Eyez on Me”, “R U Still Down? (Remember Me)”, “Until the End of Time”. He was the spark of peace in West Coast hip hop during his winding career.

Tupac was highly effected by Detroit disc jockey and producer New York whom he went on to consider as a mentor. He was signed to the New York based music label Interscope Records under the name 2Pac henceforth. Tupac made an iconic rival with east coast hall of fame rap artist Notorious B.I.G. Their rivalry consisted diss records sent to each other in order to establish a greater stone side.

Tupac moved California in 1989 and his rap career was on a high point from the very beginning and slowly the attention of his fame reached its peak after the release of his first album “2Pacalypse Now”. During his rap career he was known by many pseudonyms like PAC, MC New York and Makiivel Makoola etc. He gained much publicity with his individually strong yet distinctive style of rap. Unlike other hit rappers, Tupac wrote and performed songs about topics that transcended the music world  so he rapped about social and political issues, and even about the power of prayer.

On Saturday, September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot after attending the Mike Tyson–Bruce Seldon boxing fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Tupac was pronounced dead on Friday, September 13, 1996 entering indelibly into the fabric of pop culture however his tragic death at the age of 25 still remains unsolved (*2). Eight posthumous albums have been released following Tupac’s death, seven of which went to the top of the charts. From his high school days to his professional rapper career till his death, Tupac’s legacy will never be forgotten as a great hip-hop artist, who touched the hearts of millions of people nationally and globally with his music and passion for activism.

Notes:

*1. https://www.biography.com/musician/tupac-shakur
*2. “Tupac Amaru Shakur: Still the Best-Selling Dead Artist in the Country — and the Only Hip-Hop Legend To Make Fortune Magazine’s List”. Hiphoprightnow.com. Retrieved 2020-10-18.

2 Many DJs

The story of 2 Many DJs begins in Ghent, Belgium, in 1996. Two young music-obsessed brothers, Stephen and David Dewaele, were seen setting up rudimentary DJ decks in their attic bedroom. Although they had the most basic of equipment, they had a big dream – to become renowned DJs playing audio sets all around the world.

Fast forward a few years, and the duo had established themselves as 2 Many DJs, a name adopted from a punk record released in 1982 by Belgian punk rock pioneers The Kids. With this newly formed act, Stephen and David played parties and clubs around their hometown, beginning to gain local recognition. After honing their DJ skills, the brothers recorded their first mixtape in 1998, under the 2 Many DJs moniker. The collection of mixed-up genres, samples, and edits, was their adaptation of the popular mix-tape culture of the day – and it was soon picked up by underground radio stations and embraced by partygoers who identified with its unique style.

By 2001, with the help of their track selecting skills, masterful mixing, turntablism and spontaneous improvisations, 2 Many DJs had gained international notoriety, after a gig supporting Belgian visionary Soulwax. With some more tour dates out of the way, the duo honed their live performance skills, as well as giving birth to their newest musical component – the mash-up.

Led by their creativity and enthusiasm, 2 Many DJs created a new musical form by taking two separate tracks and combining them together, making something new out of something old. Although unoriginal in concept, the brothers’ had a unique approach that kept people intrigued; ultimately inspiring countless other aspiring DJs to start doing the same. Stephen and David flew to foreign countries to perform their live act, a spectacle of elaborate visuals, stage props, and celebrity Sampling.

Buoyed by the success of their worldwide tours and mixtapes, as well as their record label anthology imprints such as Fingathing on their Soulwax label, 2 Many DJs released their first debut album titled ‘As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt.2’ in 2004. This endeavour was received with generally positive reviews from the music scene, most notably “Rolling Stone” magazine who lauded the record with an astounding four-star rating.

2006 saw the release of “Nite Versions”, more diverse in genre breadth, sampling influence and production than their first. They worked with a wide range of musical sources from indie-rock to French library music, manoeuvring it all together seamlessly with slick turntablism skills.

It was at this point the 2 Many DJs started taking extended hiatuses, a tactic of self-reflection that allowed them to shift focus on further projects. They formed a rock band called Soulwax Nite Versions and became still further experimental in the years to come. After a break of almost ten years, the brothers eventually returned to the soulspeak and launched their 2019 edition of Radio Soulwax. This enabled fans to combat loneliness and rediscover their bliss in lots of weird and wonderful selections from forgotten Funk to breakbeat classics.

To date, Stephen and David Dewaeles remain two of the most integral figures within the global dance scene. For over two decades, they have continued to bolster the cultures of both live and DJ performances, with their expansive music curating, style and energy, continually proving to be influential innovators in their respective field.

TheBrothers have thoughtfully paved the way for DJ manipulation and sampling that have become characteristic and staple sound for many of today’s music producers. It is because of this influence that the As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt.2 remains today an insightful and defining document of the eclectic electronica crossover climate of the early oughts.

16 Horsepower

musician David Eugene Edwards

David Eugene Edwards was born in 1966 in Waverly, medical Ohio, the second of three children born to a mechanic father and a mother who worked as a preschool teacher. He grew up in an environment of live bluegrass music and the sounds of eastern Kentucky next to a hillbilly farm, yet his parents gave him an appetite for swing, jazz, punk, and country. At the age of 15, he bought his first guitar and formed his first band with some local friends.

David’s early years were formative when it came to his musical tastes. Growing up in Appalachia exposed him to traditional music like bluegrass and traditional country as well as the more traditional sounds of jazz, swing, and punk. He fell in love with how diverse musical styles could come together with a unique fusion of traditional and modern sounds that he identified with his own experience and felt reflected in his writing and performances. His appreciation for bluegrass, swing, punk, and beyond helped form his own musical approach which blended powerful songwriting with compelling instrumentals.

It wasn’t until the mid-90s that Edwards found that unique fusion that he was searching for. He teamed up with Jeffrey-Paul Norlander, Pascal Humbert and Steve Taylor who together formed 16 horsepower, a unique folk music duo. The sound-world they created was a mix of glorious vocal drama, unusual atmospherics and old-time instrumentation. Recorded debut album, Sackcloth’n’ Ashes, released on the A&M Records label, launched the career of 16 horsepower a few months later in 1996, during the breakthrough of alternative rock among commercial radio listeners. The album and its extraordinary single, “Low Estate”, revealed Edwards’ powerful and raw vocals, embracing themes that he still relates strongly to today.

From then on, 16 horsepower continued to reach new heights in a post-alt-rock golden age. Their profile raised considerably with further albums in the late 90s and early 2000s, gaining critical and commercial acclaim. Their sound dared to push the boundaries of genres into previously unexplored new musical worlds. The alternative country, punk-folk, and Goth Americana genres can be observed all over their works. By the time of the 2003 album Folklore, Edwards had made a name for himself with his eerie sound architecture and creative songwriting.

The success of 16 horsepower’s discography did not comeonly sporadically though. Edwards’ deep roots in southern Appalachian folk scenes gave him major recognitions in 1997 and 2002 when he was invited to perform at the annual Newport Folk Festival. In 2002, Edwards also received song of the year awards in the Americana Music Association as a result of the single “Christian Ghost” from their Folklore album. Similarly, the outstanding performance of 16 horsepower and other folk artists at the Langenthal festival in Switzerland in 2003 has marked an inescapable legacy of Edwards in the music world.

David Eugene Edwards’ powerful combination of sounds has won him not only recent awards and recognition but also earned him a devoted fan-base around the world. His achievements have continued to push boundaries of sound-worlds and designs of folk narratives. In 2009, the all-encompassing career of 16 horsepower fully celebrated when David Edwards was rewarded with the Appellation Prize from the Swiss Arts council for his outstanding achievements in music.

After disbanding 16 Horsepower in May 2005, Teamginger remixers employed Edwards’ vocals for their 2006 debut album. Throughout his career, notably the period between 2005 and 2012, Edwards was featured in other musical projects including Woven Hand, European tours as a solo musician, and even a Voice of God Records debut. Since recently, David Eugene Edwards has resumed his solo career having released his acclaimed Cradle EP in 2018, he also dropped his fourth full-length ‘Better Days’ earlier this year.

David Eugene Edwards career has proven to be constantly evolving to fit with the current trends and yet maintain its distinct identity at the same time. After more than two decades of creative output, Edwards has established what is now considered one of the most successful and influential careers in independent music. His artistry and musicality have shaped genres and pushed folk music to new levels, leaving a permanent impact and inspiring generations of musicians.

13th Floor Elevators

The 13th Floor Elevators was a pioneering American psychedelic rock band, formed in Austin, Texas in 1965. The band, active until 1969, is recognized as one of the the first bands to popularize psychedelic rock, influencing such bands as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds, Pink Floyd, and The Doors. While the psychedelic movement had exploded in the early-mid 1960s, the 13th Floor Elevators began its unique blend of psychedelia and folk music with an R&B aesthetic, propelling a steady stream of music innovations during the coming years.

The original members included lead singer, bassist, and songwriter Tom Hall, drummer John Ike Walton, vocalist and guitarists Roky Erickson and Stacy Sutherland, and a musician billed as “Baldy” who occasionally played a tambourine. The recording of the group’s first 45 record led to a contract with California-based International Artists.

In 1966, the first full length album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators, was released. As the LP title indicated, the sound was “psychedelic,” incorporating Eastern-influenced raga structures, Eastern harmonies and inventive instrumentation from bells and sitars, organ and electric guitar. Their lyrics, by Erickson, toed a thin line between deep religious conviction and a fierce promulgation of LSD laced “acid-rock.” Nevertheless, the music filtered into the mainstream at the time and into the charts on college radio.

The single “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” released In 1966, was their first major single mostly because of its prior release on a local label. The single achieved moderate success and broke new ground with its echoed, reverb-bed outro and fuzz lines. Following the success of their first single, the 13th Floor Elevators recorded a second album, Easter Everywhere, that further cemented their distinct sonic landscape with more liberal use of the fuzz guitar, vocal drones, and didgeridoos. The refusal of Hall to use his vocals on the album also contributed to their unique sound.

By 1967 the 13th Floor Elevators were labeled “The First Underground Band” by the counterculture press in the United States. This title came from the media’s fascination with the members’ liberal use of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD. This alleged usage and other institutional indiscretions such as Roky Erickson’s being hospitalized for shock treatments, eventually led to the downfall of the 13th Floor Elevators.

Despite the break-up, the band left a lasting legacy not only with showcase albums but also with their single to group to fame, “You’re Gonna Miss Me.” Artists such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cramps, R.E.M., and Primal Scream later drew from the their sonic palate, enshrining the13th Floor Elevators as a pivotal influence in the development of the psychedelic rock genre. Although their career was short the pioneers of Austin’s music scene; The 13th Floor Elevators remain a beacon to researchers of 1960’s garage rock.

Subsequent live performances in the late 1980s and early 1990s featuring Erickson and original drummer, John Ike Walton, showed that the music of the 13th Floor Elevators was still effervescent and carried a special aura that reverberated with audiences. The elevation of the 13th Floor Elevators has come across two centuries, prolonging and deservedly honoring their innovative musical achievements, cementing them as timeless influences for artists and fans alike.

10cc

Formed in 1972, 10cc is a successful British rock and pop band that got its start in Manchester. The original band lineup was Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, and Eric Stewart, although the composition of the band changed over the years. Over four decades, the band has released 10 studio albums, seen multiple members come and go, and faced several financial and legal issues that ultimately led to their split in 1983. But, the legacy of 10cc’s music still stands today.

Gouldman and Stewart began their musical careers in the mid 1960s when they founded the quartet Hotlegs. The group released two successful singles in the early 1970s, including the hit “Neanderthal Man”. After Hotlegs disbanded, Gouldman and Stewart enrolled in Strawberry Studios in Stockport, a recording studio that also housed Godley and Creme.

The four musicians collaborated their talents during studio work for other clients and after just three days, the studio published the single “Johnny Don’t Do It” which became the 10cc’s first and greatest success. In 1972, they officially formed 10cc and signed with Jonathan King at UK Records.

The band’s debut album was titled “10cc” and released in 1973, under the UK Records label. It consisted of prog-rock music layered with intricate harmonies and became a top contributor to the British rock scene. It brought the band multiple radio hits such as “Donna” and “The Dean and I”, and their popularity skyrocketed.

Their second album, Sheet Music, was released in 1974 and saw similar success. It touched on more sensitive topics in their songwriting and produced the hit song “The Wall Street Shuffle”. 10cc was then nominated for a Ivor Novello award for best Contemporary song, and eventually reached cult status with fans in the United Kingdom and western world.

Following the success of Sheet Music, 10cc changed their sound and pursued a more commercial style in their 1975 release The Original Soundtrack. This album featured songs that made heavy use of strings and other instruments, explored themes of drama and intensity, and created the band’s most successful single to date, “I’m Not in Love”. Despite facing criticisms for its forced commercialism, the album produced the song “Life is a Minestrone” which reached the top ten in the United Kingdom.

With the success of their three albums (and accompanying world tour), 10cc went to record two more records, 1977’s Deceptive Bends and 1978’s Bloody Tourists. Though popular with fans, the record label issues behind these two albums kept 10cc from reaching new successes, although the recorded singles were still some of their most famous hits.

In 1979. the band undertook a 20 country tour of the United States, their only full-fledged US tour. Following the intense year of touring, Godley and Creme decided to quit the band and embark on their own solo careers. To support their breakaway, the pair founded Video Arts, a successful video production company.

The remaining band members – Gouldman and Stewart – decided to continue with the success of 10cc and released the albums Look Hear? and Ten Out of 10. To replace Godley and Creme, Gouldman and Stewart recruited Stuart Tosh and Rick Fenn. Both of the albums proved to be 10cc’s comeback, but the band was met with continually worsening legal and financial issues.

In 1983, Struan and Stewart disbanded 10cc and went their separate ways; Stun started his own solo career, while Stewart took on production and songwriting projects at Strawberry Studios. The break-up was largely attributed to financial and legal issues, that eventually lead to the studio’s closure in 1985.

Throughout its career, 10cc has received 11 Ivor Novello awards, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with UK Records Group, and has released 10 studio albums. Musically, the group has been hailed for driving the sound of British pop and rock in the 1970s and receive a nomination for the Music Producers Guild inspiration award in 2008. Today, the band continues to tour the United Kingdom and western world, and enthusiastically captures the attention of both new and loyal fans.

100 Gecs

100 Gecs is an experimental duo comprised of Dylan Brady and Laura Les. They have rapidly grown in popularity since forming in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2017 and are leading the charge in the global ‘hyperpop’ scene. Fresh off the release of their debut album “1000 Gecs” in 2019, 100 Gecs have made an indelible mark on today’s music culture with their unique blend of electro dance pop, punk, and rap influences.

Dylan Brady is an LA based producer. He originally hailed from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and gained popularity after producing songs for several big artists, such as Yung Lean, Mac Miller, Vince Staples and Niki. Brady is also known for his solo work as well as producing records for a number of smaller artists. He has since drawn attention for his signature mix of trap, punk, and off-kilter pop sounds. He is one-half of the highly acclaimed experimental duo, 100 Gecs.

Laura Les also originally hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a singer, songwriter, producer, vocalist, and guitarist. Les began her music career at age 13 playing the drums in a punk band called Slam Dunk. During this time, she also worked on solo music, which she released on her SoundCloud account. She later moved to St. Louis to study musical production and theory music technology. After working with Brady on Vortex Sound, Les joined him in the formation of 100 Gecs.

100 Gecs’ first release in 2017, “Memecake/Buggatti Speedway,” offered a mind-numbing, chaotic mix of sounds—a style that would come to define the group. They quickly developed a large internet following and were praised for exploring the outer limits of music genres. The debut 100 Gecs EP, “Haterhunting in the Club DEATH4U” followed in the same irreverent tradition, as did 2019’s “1000 Gecs,” which featured some of the group’s most popular songs.

100 Gecs’ distinctive sound continues to inspire experimentation and creativity in the music scene. Their influence can be heard in releases from fellow hyperpop stars such as Nahhg, Dirty Potato Chips, and JPEGMAFIA. The group also received a nomination for 2020’s “Album of the Year” during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, a testament to the revolutionary impact of their music. Most recently, the duo released the remix album “1000 Gecs & The Tree of Clues” in 2020.

Brady and Les have also performed at festivals including Grassed Music Festival, SXSW, and Red Bull Music Academy. In addition to performing music, they also teach music production classes at various locations through their “100 Gecs Production Academy.” They are passionate educators and believe in passing on the knowledge and skills needed to make music that pushes the boundaries of sound.

Overall, 100 Gecs have achieved considerable success in their short career. As a duo who is both talented and daring in their approach to music, they have become trendsetters for a new generation of experimental music. With their influence likely to grow even further, the future of music will be forever changed by the legacy of 100 Gecs. ¨

10,000 Maniacs

Formed in 1981, 10,000 Maniacs is an American alternative rock whose members have rocked fans worldwide with their unique sound. Composed of founding members Robert “Robby” Snyder, Steven Gustafson, Nathan Larson, Dennis Drew, and John Lombardo, plus non-founding members Mary Ramsey and Jeff Erickson, the band has been actively involved in the music scene for nearly four decades.

Robbie Snyder was an integral part of the conception of 10,000 Maniacs. After going off to college in the late 1970s, Snyder returned to Jamestown, New York and upon seeing that there were virtually no musicians in his hometown, he endeavored to form one. Snyder, Gusarftson, Larson, Drew and Lombardo formed 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 for an explicit purpose- to put on a Halloween show.

The band’s main songwriting responsibilities were two-fold: Robby Snyder and John Lombardo. Jer Litten was responsible for most of the musical arrangements, as well as his upbeat style. Meanwhile, Gustafson handled the recruitment of larger venues and labels. When the band collectively decided to attempt to make a living off their music, Gustafson was also the one who intensively promoted and managed the group.

Despite having written several albums, the band enjoyed their most success with their fourth and fifth albums, In My Tribe and Blind Man’s Zoo. In 1989, 10,000 Maniacs first tasted international success with the latter now having gone double platinum. During its release, MTV frequently aired the videos for “Trouble Me” and “Eat for Two” which only increased the band’s visibility and sound in households all across America. Of the non-founding members, Mary Ramsey replaced Lombardo in 1993 and Jeff Erickson, assumed final line-up duties in 1998. When asked about their influence, Robby, Steven and Jeff all noted that the band saw themselves as apart from the rest of the ever-advocating for “willingness, open-mindedness, and progressive stances in far reaching topics”.

10,000 Maniacs had continued a great consistent touring since its formation but tasting success into the late 90s, it had become commonplace to see them gracing the headlines as well as being screened on numerous major radio and television outlets all across the world.

Their years of success would eventually begin to wind down, however. After two decade, Lombardo returned to active involvement with the Maniacs and discovered- incredibly- that they had never received any royalty payment from MTV for any of their videos prior. Resenting their monotony in the emerging music industry-promoting landscape, 10,000 Maniacs began to break up in 2000 with physical disbandment taking place a year later.

Despite the 10,000 Maniacs separation, their music has lived on globally and worldwide. Since their split, numerous bands have acknowledged them as a major influence in alternative and indie-rock music. New albums and tours have been undertaken by surviving members, ensuring that the legacy of 10,000 Maniacs will live on and live to inspire new generations around the world.

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead

“…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead” is a post-hardcore and alternative rock band originating from Austin, Texas. The band consists of core members Conrad Keely (singer-multi-instrumentalist) and Jason Reece (drummer-multi-instrumentalist), along with longtime bassist Autry Fulbright II and former member Kevin Allen. The band’s style is marked by energetic performances and critically acclaimed recorded works, along with a dedicated tour schedule.

It all started in the summer of 1994 when an Austin based indie-rock outfit disbanded, which left Keely and Reece unemployed. With their new-found free time, the two would regularly jam in Keely’s apartment as well as hanging around local Austin shows where they often promoted their works. The year 1995 marked the evolution of two-picked into …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, after adding bassist Autry Fulbright and guitarist-keyboardist Thomas Cox, releasing their own self-titled album.

In 1997, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead—now a four-piece—signed to Merge Records, releasing albums Madonna and Lionesque (1998). Madonna received a positive response from critics, showcasing the band’s heavy guitar sound mixed with symphonic cymbals and loud passages of cheery pop and alternative sequences.

In the early 2000s, the band moved to New York. Their third studio album, Source Tags and Codes (2002), marked their last with original bassist Fulbright, after he decided to get out of the touring circuit and leave the band in pursuit of his graduate studies. The album met commercial success and garnered several critical awards, as well as a surprise Grammy nomination in 2003. Later in 2005, the critically acclaimed …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead released Worlds Apart, cementing their success and a reputation further.

The band continued to spend most of its time in the studio, taking on sporadic tours throughout the decade. In the wake of Worlds Apart’s leaked demos. …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead moved to Minneapolis and reunited with their original bassist to work on the following album, The Century of Self (2009). Although it was released to positive reviews, many fans ageed that it was different; leaving a more somber impression with longer tracks and minimal distortion.

Despite having endured lineup changes and other trials and tribulations in the years following the band’s formation, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead have consistently pushed forward, continuing to tour as well as in the studio releasing new music. The band’s latest album, IX, was released to unanimous praise in 2014.

Continuing to be beloved by fans and critics alike, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead remain a prominent fixture in the alternative and post-hardocre scene, while at the same time staying in tune with current trends and never ceasing to challenge and question their peers, their listeners, and most importantly, themselves. After 25 years, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead exist as a living proof of the hard-earned and committed dedication to art and expression. After it’s all said and done, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead will always be remembered for their relentless pursuit of creative excellence.

(Sandy) Alex G

Sandy (Alex) G is an American musician based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is an experimental musician, playing folk and indie rock music on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and various other instruments such as keyboard and banjo. His use of digital audio effects, such as distortion and reverb, has resulted in experimentation with atypical musical structures and genres.

Born Alexander Giannascoli in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1991, Alex G began playing music at a very young age, first by taking violin lessons when he was three or four, then by playing drums at home and in bands in school. His family fostered his enthusiasm for music by taking him to various artists’ concerts and encouraging participation in the music scene in and around Philadelphia. Alex’s early influences included Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, Nirvana, and Tower of Power. By the age of thirteen, Alex was already writing his own music.

Throughout his early teens and high school career, Alex G continued to write and record music, and began sharing it on Bandcamp and other DIY web platforms. Over time, he developed a charmingly lo-fi sound that blended both the avant-garde stylings of groups like Animal Collective and Ariana Grande with an indie-rock aesthetic rooted in his upbringing.

In 2011, Alex G’s album Family prompted the indie music blog I Rock Philly to note: “It’s a pretty special moment when an endearing and hardworking artist like Alex creates such a gripping debut album as Family.”

The release of his next album, Trick, in 2012 solidified his reputation as a prolific and unique artist. The following year, his third album, DSU, received critical accolades from the likes of Pitchfork who praised its warmly brash blend of indie-pop and hoarse/coarse vocals. Soon after, Alex was in high demand, choosing to sign with the powerful indie music label, Domino.

High-profile liner-notes from the likes of indie-rock legend Steve Albini and collective-legend Sufjan Stevens only further bolstered Alex’s reputation and impact on the music industry.

Since then, Alex G has released four full-lengths as well as the soundtrack to the web series ‘The End of The F***ing World’. each project embracing a new opportunity for sonic growth while simultaneously embodying a unique quality of Alex’ hearty and thoughtful charm.

His most recent work, House of Sugar, was released in September of 2019 and often lauded as one of his most solid bodies of work to date. The album made the long list of the 2019 Polaris Prize and received three (and counting) Best of 2019 mentions from major publications such as Pitchfork, NPR Music, and The AV Club.

A loveable oddball, Alex G has continued to surprise listeners who are intrigued by his nimble style and intimate solo recordings. Private boutiques run to be able to nab one of his live shows (which frequently happen in small, local venues) and packed out international concert halls frequently awaiting his to churning sound.

Sandy (Alex) G’s gifts and credits to the independent, popular, and emerging music archetypes goes unquestioned. Now with countless scratchy chants of his clever melodies and increasingly distinct performances, he continues to captivate listeners even without an entailing need for explanation as to why he continues to exist at the top of his tier of music professionals.