HGMN Bands

Ten Ton Chicken is a Berkeley, CA based band that plays original music with elements of jam, Americana, funk, soul, humor, prog, weed, squirrels, Howard, Apetor, and the Browns. Underlying their appeal is a naive positivity and affect-free songcraft that has touched upon topics as deep as scamming friends, second cousins, midgets, the sun, aliens, and a dude in China who stops people from jumping off a bridge. Despite the loose associations and tendency to solo from the hip, this band is tight and their songs deceptive in their easy complexity. 

Having weathered a considerable reconfiguration, the band delivers Our Green World, their fourth full-length, as a pithy and satisfying nugget to chew and ponder. Original conspirator Gary Morrell remains at the helm for songwriting, guitar, and lead vocals; his voice has a sweet simplicity that allows his words to drift and scatter, defying gravity.

With a hard-working ethic and an arsenal of upbeat, substantial songs, Roots of Creation have ascended to the top of their profession by putting their fans first and doing business with focus and respect. Writers, DJs, venue owners, and booking agents alike have joined ROC's steadily growing army of fans in heaping praise upon the New Hampshire quartet, and not just for the music - the band has forged a unique connection with their listeners that provides concert attendees with a highly personal experience. They also walk the walk when it comes to social and environmental activism. Having raised money for many causes.

The sound captured on their latest album, Live Vol. 1, is the result of years of absorbing diverse influences into their bedrock of "jam-meets-reggae." The latest style to work its way into the ROC sound comes courtesy in part of new bassist Chris Beam, whose background in electronic/trance music helped facilitate the band's recent shift incorporating lengthier dance-driven explorations, which are still spiked with ROC's own special dub/rock/reggae flavor. Beyond the amazing music contained within, and in keeping with their history of conscious efforts, the album's packaging is 70% post-consumer product recycled cardboard.

There's no better representation of ROC's recently perfected, bigger, badder sound than the fast-paced experience of Live Vol. 1, released by Harmonized Records on June 24th. From addictive reggae pop songs to consciously charged roots rhythms and berzerk electronic improvisations, the grace and precision with which ROC execute their bass-heavy works is overwhelming. Their roots are tinged with rock, their rock brushed with electronica, and they're as likely to dash off into a 10-minute guitar-led groove as they are to perform righteous vocal songs that resonate like the roots-rock classics of old. From the steamy opener "Oh Lord" to the extended jams on "Void" and "Proggae," both favorites from their critically acclaimed Rise Up album, there's an urgency and dedication to perfection unmatched by other live releases.

Besides signing with Harmonized, Roots of Creation's most recent praises came in the form of sponsorship from the well-known outdoor sports company Eastern Mountain Sports, who obviously see a connection between ROC's diverse, active fanbase and their products. In 2007, Rise Up garnered the band a nomination for Best World Music Act at the Boston Music Awards. On top of that, the band have recently found themselves in high-class musical company as they shared stages and audiences with artists such as chart-topping rapper Lupe Fiasco, reggae legends like Culture, The Wailers, Israel Vibration, Pato Banton, Toots, and Yellowman, plus well-known acts from all over the musical map such as Matisyahu, Slightly Stoopid, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Melvin Sparks.

Traveling around the globe, playing with the likes of moe., the Neville Brothers, the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, and Habib Koite, in some of the most beautiful venues in the U.S. and Japan, the world has taken notice. SRB's unique blend of roots-rock, Afro-Carribean, and reggae music continues to spread like wild fire. They are based in Ithaca, NY but their magnetic pole is Africa, particularly the sounds eminating from West & South Africa. This magnetic pole has served as a pivot for the Sim Redmond Band to spring into straight rock grooves and pumping reggae. The vocal teamwork of Sim Redmond, Jen Middaugh, and Nate Silas Richardson creates a male/female chemistry that is rare and beautiful. Lyrically, they explore dreams, truth, and matters of the heart. The music of the Sim Redmond Band has reached the hearts of people all around the world. They have toured extensively, selling over 10 thousand records in the U.S and over 20,000 in Japan, where SRB has toured numerous times. Their latest CD "Each New Day" has caused quite a buzz, already earning them very high acclaim from all who hear it. The sky is the limit for SRB and they are sure to reach it.

The Motet’s unique blend of Afro-Beat, Afro-Cuban, Latin, Funk and Jazz traditions defies categorization. Drawing on the wealth of musical inspiration in the band’s hometown of Boulder, CO, The Motet never fails to inspire fans and enthrall the crowd. The music is a grooving improvisation that awakens and stirs the soul. There are two constants in the world of The Motet: evolving music and matchless musicianship. The constantly evolving sound of The Motet defies definition as the band takes the music to new levels with every performance. Whatever the occasion, wherever the gig, The Motet is winning the hearts, souls and dancing feet of fans all over the country.

The current lineup formed in 1998, was voted "Best Rock/Pop Band" in the 2001 Houston Press Music Awards, and have won numerous Battle of the Bands contests. The band has been selling out shows in Houston since 1999, and concentrating hard on winning over their region, with frequent tours through the South and West. On the recording end, the band has self-produced four CDs, and one EP, on its own record label, Aufheben Records. Their last effort, a double, self-titled, studio disc set, "Moses Guest" was released in 2002, and is currently still being played by everyone who bought one. Moses Guest has shared the stage with many great acts in the past few years (and ain't that the truth), including Moe (twice), Steve Miller Band, JGB Band, Willie Nelson, Los Lobos, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, David Nelson Band, Rebirth Brass Band, The Jayhawks, Lisa Loeb (acoustic), and Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Fiji Mariners (on H.O.R.D.E. 1998 sidestage in Antioch, TN).

Started in 1995, and named after Graham Guest's fifth-generation grandfather, Moses Guest is a Texas-based southern rock band that has just enough pop, jazz, funk, jam, and country in its veins to appeal to audiences of all stripes.  The current line-up, formed in 1997, was voted Best Rock/Pop in the 2001 Houston Press Music Awards ("HPMA").  At the 2003 HPMA, Moses Guest and its members were nominated in three categories:  Best Guitarist, Best Keyboardist, and Best CD.

Moses Guest has shared the stage with many great acts over the years, including Moe., Steve Miller Band, JGB, Willie Nelson, Los Lobos, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, David Nelson Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Jayhawks, Lisa Loeb, Colonel Bruce Hampton & the Fiji Mariners, and it played a HORDE Tour date in 1998 in Antioch, TN.

Nowadays, Moses Guest plays live shows every few months in Texas and in California and would be happy to play the larger summer festival circuit, but the band has largely been committed to working in the studio. 

That studio focus is in evidence on their new album, Light, which marks the line-up's twentieth anniversary and is their first album release since 2007's Best Laid Plans.  The super-tight, super-polished performances and arrangements hearken back to Moses Guest's 2002 self-titled double-cd release.  And the fact that Light was mastered by none other than Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios, London, does not hurt.

Light contains nine songs and features "Light" (the title-track), "Dawn," "Emily," "Free," "Black Road," and a rippingly Allman-esque revision of "California," which revives the great southern rock anthem for us in epic fashion.

Light evokes a certain sophistication that can only come with twenty years of playing together, but the heart of the Moses Guest sound remains the same:  it's southern, it's classic, it rocks, and it jams.

Allen’s strong vocals and ability to compose and perform stellar guitar-driven tracks has garnered praise and has earned him comparisons to guitar legends SRV, Eric Clapton, John Scofield and Trey Anastasio. To no surprise, each of these legends has influenced his playing since he first picked up the guitar at 8-years old. Live performances are laced with improvisation and experimentation and feature Allen's strong vocals and ability to perform captivating lead and rhythm guitar parts.  The MAB is a “must see” and “must hear” band.  Max's last two albums, Earthwalker and That's Why each provide a highly enjoyable and solid variety of music.

Formed at a Mennonite college that had banned on-campus dancing as late as the 1980's, Lotus brings their club-worthy beats and rocking instrumental anthems to theaters throughout the country this fall. No glow-stick bracelets, pretentious Can trivia, or expensive distressed fashion required.

Lotus's new release, Escaping Sargasso Sea (May 2007), is a double-disc live album that draws from two previous studio albums, Nomad and The Strength of Weak Ties, along with never before released material. From the post/math-rock of "When H Binds to O" to the slippery dance beats of "Wax," this collection shows Lotus's ability to deconstruct, stretch, and rebuild their compositions spontaneously on stage. Restraining from flaunting their individual chops, Lotus builds compositions on catchy melodies and heavy grooves...

The five-piece band has creatively fused electronic dance music with instrumental post-rock for eight years. The result is an explosive live show that has made crowds get down across the US, Canada, and Japan. Armed with a massive light rig and one of the most energetic shows on the circuit, Lotus proves why they have become a go-to act for late night festival slots. This tour takes the band into renowned theatres nationwide including the Ogden Theatre in Denver, the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, Park West in Chicago, and the Bowery Ballroom in New York.

Cornmeal has never been a band to shy away from reinvention and after over 15 years, they are proving just that as the band sets out with a reformed lineup, fresh energetic sound and a long awaited first studio album in over 9 years. A nationally recognized live music institution, Cornmeal is heavily influenced by American roots and folk music and seamlessly blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups' vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of the past, Cornmeal continues to forge a path all their own, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. With a growing fan base and ever-evolving sound, Cornmeal challenges the recipe of bluegrass and live performance.

After many false starts the long awaited studio album, Slow Street, was released May 29th, 2015. The new record features 10 original tracks and a host of guests musicians including Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass on dobro. Recorded in Chicago the album clocks in at over 60 minutes of acoustic/electric landscapes and improvised jams. Balancing the energy and feel of a their one of a kind live shows with the articulation and precision of studio production, Slow Street is an album that was well worth waiting for.

With songs like Rise Above and All Things Must Change, the album pays homage to the last few years of change with a complex maturity well beyond anything we have seen from the band since their last studio release, Feet First, back in 2006. WIth masterful musicianship, a deep understanding of melody and time, and a more focused sound, Slow Street runs the gamut of the Americana sound with everything from light and delicate to gritty, deep and psychedelic.

With the release of their debut album "In The Kitchen" (2001 Livin' Live records), Cornmeal secured its place as one of the top bands in its genre. 2003's "Tales from Magic Stone Mountain" (Livin' Live records) garnered much critical attention and became a staple on College and AAA top 10 lists throughout the country. In May of 2006, Cornmeal released their third album, "Feet First", which became proof positive that Cornmeal's tenure on the road brought on an honest and mature sound. Produced by former guitarist Kris Nowak and bassist Chris Gangi, "Feet First" features a strong confidence in songwriting, musicianship and the ability of this band to stylistically ride the fence and bring it back home without missing a step.

In the beginning of 2010, Cornmeal released their first live album, "Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I" (2010 Livin' Live Records), an album that pays tribute to the fans. Towards the end of 2011, Cornmeal released the follow up, "Live in Chicago, IL Vol. II" (2011 Livin' Live Records). During this time the band went into the studio set to record their first album in over 5 years.  Self produced by bassist Chris Gangi and tracked in Chicago at the prestigious Rax Trax recording studios, the process was cut short due to lineup changes and the album was shelved. After almost a year of auditions, rehearsals and wood shedding new material the band is poised to return to the same recording space to finish the album polishing the old material and setting forward with a new sound, new songs and a fresh perspective on the future.

While playing a blend of high profile venues, jam-band and bluegrass festivals to thousands nationally, Cornmeal has been a main stage act at some of the most renowned festivals in the country. These festivals include Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Magnolia Fest, Wakarusa Music Festival, and Summer Camp Music Festival as well as having performed on multiple stages at Bonnaroo, All Good Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, 10K Lakes, and many others. They pride themselves on the energy they put forth each night creating an unrivalled live performance that continues to shape itself into an energetic one of a kind experience. "Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I & II" prove that Cornmeal continues to be a band to watch out for. Every show they play is a unique experience that leaves fans begging for more.