John Richards (vocals/guitar)
Matt Mitchell (bass/vocals)
Chris Mitchell (guitar/vocals)
Rick Nordquist (drums/vocals)
Influences
.....the Beatles, Everly Brothers, Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ben Folds, the Police, Freedy Johnston, Nintendo Entertainment System, the Kinks, Wilco, Glen Phillips, Steve Winwood, Jeff Buckley, the Zombies, Hall & Oates, the Jefferson Connection, the Cars, Beach Boys, Midnight Sun, No Practicamos, Born-Again Moustache, and the 1991-1992 Minneapolis area sports scene.
“Modesty has always been a cornerstone of acoustic folk music, but these local folkies definitely undersell themselves in their band name. Far from musical also-rans, Consolation Champ has an everyman earnestness that is endearing.” –City Pages, Minneapolis
Singer-songwriter John Richards has been writing and performing original music for ten years, and since 2006 he has released two records and toured clubs, cafes and colleges throughout the USA under the name Consolation Champ. Many Consolation Champ shows are intimate solo acoustic performances. Others are lively, full-band rock shows where Richards is joined by Matt Mitchell on bass, Chris Mitchell on lead guitar, and Rick Nordquist on drums.
John, Matt, Chris and Rick all grew up in the same Twin Cities suburb and attended the same schools all the way from Kindergarten through college at the University of Minnesota. They span three graduating classes, and, while some members collaborated together in various bands during school, it wasn’t until after they had all finished college that they first played together as a quartet.
Champ self-released the debut album “The Invitational” in the fall of 2006, then followed it up in March of 2008 with “Lobos Pattern,” a 5-song EP recorded mostly live in the studio after John and Chris had just returned from a duo-acoustic tour of the Rocky Mountains and Southwestern US. Both can be found on iTunes and most digital music services. Tracking for the next album has recently begun, with the release date to be determined.
Whether on stage or around a fire, Consolation Champ loves playing music and roasting marshmallows. Hope to see you at a show sometime, and hope you don’t mind if the marshmallow is a little burnt.
www.consolationchamp.com
hope the road isn't too bumpy or windey. any chance we could get some bootlegs reCORdings of new tunes like Open Gym, Call Me Dad, Sleepin Thru the Fire, or Sprinklers up on that My Space? just an option.
10th Avenue Freezeout was an unexpected and awesome way to start The Boss' set last night. Other than that, I think you had his number: Born to Run, Working on a Dream, and Glory Days.
God I can't even believe I missed the christmas sweater event. Wait did you have the annual Christmas sweater event. I can't believe I may have missed it. Damn Africa and it's expensive tickets to Minneapolis!!!! hope all is well and that a hard copy of the new cd will soon be on it's way through the USPS!!!! happy new year guys
and what to my wondering eyes should appear?? But a miniature sleigh......and Eddie, with a man in a bath robe with a chain tied to wrists and ankles, what the.........
Nice job on "get with the progrum" it's so good it hurts.
I never in my life figured I'd be able to say I know a guy that made a theme song of sorts for "the common man" Dan Cole who is a sports radio DJ...That's gotta be the most random thing in the world.
so .... i needed some good music last week, so i put my john richards cd in, and it didn't come out for a week straight - just played over and over and over again :) and it was great music, and i was happy!!!! hope you are well John!
