The Highway is a small group of musicians with a big sound. Bringing to the stage a raw and undeniably psychedelic style, their music tosses the listener deep within with the ether of the galactic pool where beauty and brutality collide. Sweet and soulful songs artfully climb the rock and roll ladder with towering vocal harmonies and an energy driven rhythm section. Both traditional and unmistakably progressive, The Highway defies musical stereotypes and gives the listener an honest performance of good music.
Residing outside of Boston, MA, the songwriting team of MacInnes and Tortoledo shape the evolving sound of the band today. Having started the band in 2001 in Caracas, Venezuela, Daniel Tortoledo's strong singing voice and tasteful basslines make up much of the band's unique sound. Adding on top of that Ted MacInnes' trance-inducing drumbeats, and Isaac Cohen's lively and versatile guitar licks, The Highway's musical performance energizes the room, putting the audience face to face with the magic of creation and the power of destruction.
The Highway's second album is expected to be released this summer.
www.myspace.com/thehighway
Stroamata:
Formed, like a genetic mutation, by the union of thundering bass drums, echoing chimes, jet engine bass lines, floating guitar arpeggios and irresistible Siren melodies, Stroamata is more than a band or a sound: it is a veritable force, a planet with its own gravitational attraction. Having proven themselves as top performers in the Boston area, Stroamata seeks to not only tighten its grasp on the local music community, but to expand its influence in every direction.
www.stroamata.com
AJ Edwards:
For singer/songwriter/guitarist AJ Edwards, music has always offered a certain 'pull...' "I think I've had this subconscious desire to play music for awhile," comments AJ, "but it all really began to surface when I first saw U2 perform in Boston in 2001. I began teaching myself guitar a couple days after." The Boston born/based artist soon began to realize his passion for songwriting and spent many late nights building a balanced set of original songs and covers. "For awhile I really just wanted to get out there and play, but at the same time I felt that I needed something original to work into my act first," says AJ. "First-Hand" the acoustic album from AJ Edwards was released last spring; the 11-song collection features AJ's signature one-take, live in-studio performances over just one productive day of recording.
"What really seals the record for me is its range of emotion. With just one guitar and voice, the intent of each song is more prominent, as will be the fact that my songwriting tends to be somewhat... moody." www.ajedwardsmusic.com
Scot Castle and Cal Cunningham:
We are two old friends who have been playing music together for over 20 years. We met in the parking lot of "Hugo's Again", a club in Norwalk, CT, during a "Speedway Boogie" gig in 1984. (Speedway Boogie later became "Laughin Bones" and Cal would soon become their rhythm guitarist) We became fast friends, drinking buddies and musical cohorts. We played numerous gigs as an acoustic duo, playing original songs (written by Cal) along with various Tom Waits, Neil Young, Grateful Dead and Hot Tuna covers In 1985 Laughin Bones opened up for the Jorma Kaukonen Electric Band at the Fore and Aft in White Plains, NY which lead to Scot attending Jorma's master's classes at the New School of Social Research in Greenwich Village. Studying with Jorma was watershed moment in Scot's musical life, as only studying with a mentor and idol can be. Cal and Scot continued playing in Cal's living room, and it was during this period that Cal's writing started to become more prolific and Scot started dabbling with the Mandolin. We continued playing together, even though we were both active in different bands. In the Spring of 1991 we played SONO Arts Festival in South Norwalk, CT We've both had our share of ups and down over the years, Cal got divorced, Soot moved to Massachusetts with his wife and son, and Cal currently drives an 18 Wheeler cross country. Music is still a constant in our lives, but we dont' get many opportunities to play together. However, when we do see each other, our musical conversation picks up right where we left off. Our most recent opportunity came this past Sept when we attended Jorma's Fur Peace Ranch in Pomeroy, Ohio. Fur Peace Ranch is a truly special place that is a musicians haven (and heaven :) where both amateur and professional musicians can go and study with legendary musicians. It was a truly inspirational weekend for both of us. "Lonely For No One" was recorded during our student performance on Sunday, Sept 9. 2007. We are currently working on our first CD, and look forward to playing for you very soon
www.myspace.com/scotcastleandcalcunningham
Alex Pashoian:
After attending Berklee College of Music (89-91), guitar player/singer/songwriter Alex Pashoian has been performing live at various venues in Eastern MA and Northern CA; sometimes solo or duo acoustic, sometimes fronting his band a.p.b., other times backing other artists on lead guitar. Either way, it’s always a great show. His music has been described as “acoustic/electric rock with dimensions of funk-groove, folk-blues, electronica and jazz.” His independent release “4 Track Mind” (an eclectic collection of rock, funk, hop fusion compositions) gained college radio attention, (rated 27 for the year 1998 at KUSF University of San Francisco). Alex also released a solo acoustic CD “Songs In Black And White” (2007). Alex is currently in the studio with his band a.p.b. recording a new CD of songs due for release in spring 2009. For gig schedule, live and studio cuts, you tube links, pictures and more, check out
http://www.myspace.com/alexpashoian
