KEN "what's the frequency" LEISER - Violin, Guitar, Backing Vox
JOE GANTZER - Guitar, Keys, Sax, Lost Lake, Recoding Engineer
Andrew Steeno - Bass
Ben Rohde - Drums, Percussion
**Additional players who have loaned us their talents for Live Performance**
Sara Mae Wooden - Backing Vocals
Brent Brown - Bass
Lucas Koehler - Upright Bass
Mike Stidahlf - Mandolin, Lapsteel, Dobro,
Dirk (a Licious) Danhoff - Percussion
and many other talented friends of ours....
Influences
Bob Marley,Ray LaMontagne,Blind Melon,Joe Purdy,Ryan Adams,Amos Lee,G Love,Donovan Frankenrieter,Sean Hayes,Josh Ritter,Eric Clapton,Pink Floyd,Grateful Dead,Sublime,Led Zeppelin,Live,Modest Mouse,Ned's Atomic Dustbin,James,Jackson Browne,Ian Hilmer,40 Watt Bulb,Flaming Lips,Nirvana,Dave Matthews,Rusted Root,Big Wu,Wookiefoot,Bright Eyes, ...... oh and your band... no, I mean that... you guys are the BEST........
Sounds Like
The SoapBox Project
* - A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject. It is also used to express concerns or to release frustration.
* - The term originates from when speakers would stand on a wooden box meant for holding soap.
* - The term is also used metaphorically to describe a person engaging in often flamboyant impromptu or unofficial public speaking, as in the phrases "He's on his soapbox", or "Get off of your soapbox." Hyde Park, London is known for its Sunday soapbox orators, who have assembled at Speaker's Corner since 1872 to discuss religion, politics, and other topics.
* - A modern form of the soapbox is a blog; a website on which a user publishes one's thoughts to whomever reads the page.
Description from Madison's famous HIGH NOON SALOON (www.high-noon.com) blog:
"The Soapbox Project is a new band featuring Derek Ramnarace from Hooch, playing forward-thinking, acoustic-centric, reggae-tinged jams."
CULTURE SHOCK FESTIVAL preshow review by Adam Bissen of The Second Supper.
".... Derek Ramnarace, erstwhile Hooch frontman, was backed by the able group The Soapbox Project....."
"....Hooch made a name for itself a couple years back with a boisterous live show, but Saturday’s four piece was mellow, acoustic and – for all intents and purposes – better....."
"....Ramnarace and Joe Gantzer traded riffs on dual acoustic guitars while two bongo players kept rolling time. It had all the makings of a campfire jam sesh, but those old Hooch songs actually sounded forward thinking and, in a way, touching....."
Applying everything he's learned from his 6 years as the front man for the genre defying band Hooch, singer/songwriter DEREK RAMNARACE is currently writing and recording under a new moniker simply titled THE SOAPBOX PROJECT.
The SoapBox Project is a collection of music, words, ideas, musicians, locations, eardrums and pulses. It is a work in progress but with a superb cast of top notch players, excellent songwriting and a passionate live show, The SoapBox Project is quickly gaining fans and praise throughout the Midwest Music Scene.
The sound has been described as Roots, Roll n' Soul though many believe it's hard to sum it up that easily citing obvious influences in reggae, blues, bluegrass, folk and many others. Song selection for a new album is nearing completion and live tracks, random videos, and promotional materials will be up on this site over the course of the next few weeks/ months. Keep your eyes and ears on this page for all of the news and updates!!!!
Derek Ramnarace has been booked to all of the Midwest's top festivals including Summerfest, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Wookiefoot's Harvestfest, Feel Good Festival, Grateful Garcia Gathering, Campout Roots Festival, Juliapalooza w/Atmosphere, Blottopia in Chicago, and many others. After releasing their first effort "The Best Damn E.P..... Ever" and the self produced full length "Kick The Dog", Derek and his band Hooch co-produced their last album, the self titled "Hooch", in Ojai,California with Jimmy Newquist from Caroline's Spine and Grammy Nominated producer Dwight Marcus, who also handled the mixing. The album was mastered by Multiple Grammy Winner Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab in Los Angeles. Hooch toured extensively for six and half years, building a strong fan base all around the midwest.
Derek Ramnarace has shared the bill with such acts as...
Phil Lesh, Shooter Jennings, The Wood Brothers, Keller Williams, John Mayer, Maroon 5, 311, The Roots, The String Chesse Incident, The Stockholm Syndrome, Widespread Panic, Caroline's Spine, The Black Crowes, Atmosphere, The Big Wu, Umphree's McGee, O.A.R., Medeski, Martin & Wood, G. Love, Rusted Root, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Les Claypool, Buckethead, Particle, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, North Mississippi Allstars, Rob Wasserman, Willie Waldman, DJ, Logic, Soulive, Dred Zepplin, Xavier Rudd, Donovan Frankenreiter and many, many others.
Hey Derek haven't stoped by your page to say hi for awhile hope your doing good. I just would like to say thank you for inspiring me to play guitar many years ago.
Check out my youtube video if you got time me and someone I seen at the beach that had a guitar just started rocking out and If you could please rate it and leave a comment on my page if you got time thanks buddy.
Yo Derek. Watup man. Were playing the great city of Madison tonight with OAR. Wondering, if you're around, if you'd like to go round 2 of last time we were here. Hit me up!!
Randy
Who would've thought you could help save planet Earth while
rockin' out at a show!? The first annual Little Turtle Music and Arts Festival
and Environmental Expo needs your help. Gather your friends and family and help
support the green paradigm through education, community and the arts by
spreading the word and feeding the need to be Green! Join us on Labor Day
weekend at the Little Turtle Music and Arts Festival! www.littleturtlemusicfestival.com Please download and play OUR commercial to
all your friends and your friend’s friends.
A glimpse of the documentary 'Moments and Truths' included with the new Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank CD Traveling Show. Pre-order now at www.hobonephews.com Yo Derek!!
Hey Derek!! I will def let you know when I will come up again! I had a BLAST!!! I really missed hearing those songs..and its always a pleasure seeing you play! Take care!!
I was cleaning the couch and found a tooth under the pillow where Tyler fell asleep. I was very confused... This whole parenting thing must still be new. Duh.
Hey Derek thanks for the add! My band played a show with you guys as Hooch a few years back at the Stones Throw in Eau Claire. Glad to see things are going well for you!
Where's La Rue baby Doll. Never heard of it. I was going to have a friend come see you play thats going to be in Milwaukee around 4th of July weekend. I said for a good time see D-rock. How have you been? Miss'in u.
hahaha, whats goin on man? I shall post new video and get a playlist going in hopes of you liking me even more. hows things with ya? we're determined to make it to Gem City one of the nights you're there, I think it'd be a grand time. yarrrr.
you guys rocked tuesday night! kevin told me he hated me for my congratulatory announcement but he started it by making me drink jameson. told him pay backs are a bitch! don't think he's too mad cuz he gave me a ride home. i thought it was hilarious! thanks for helping me get him back! any other local shows besides the gem comin up?
whats up maing? been awhile again. so Tuesday nights in baraboo all summer huh? thats not a bad drive from here, hmmmmm. Jenny and I may just show up one of these days. yarrr.
Art in the Dark is on tonight June 6 at Zachs Bar begining at 7p.m. featuring new friends of Art in The Dark Northern Trend Kill a Pantera Tribute band and Ashley Sprecher on the Piano She is also an Artist displaying Art
sup derek i gotta new track up on my music page called pitch black check it out its a rough version wit no adlibs or anything but i think u will like it.hope alls well wit ya an hope to see u around soon aint heard no good music inna while..stay up man
Just sending a hello from desert land! Hope things are going well with your new project. Wish you'd come my way soon! I so miss your music and live shows! Be well.
