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The Insomniacs 2008 BMA Nominee
Blues / R&B / Roots Music

2008 Best New Artist Nominee



PORTLAND, Oregon
United States

Profile Views:  118353




Last Login:  7/10/2009
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   The Insomniacs 2008 BMA Nominee: General Info
Member Since2/6/2006
Band Members


iLike The Insomniacs









Vyasa Dodson (Guitar)
Dean Mueller (Bass)
Dave Melyan (Drums)
Alex Shakeri (Keyboards)


BMA Nominated "Best New Artist Debut for 2008 by The Blues Foundation
The Insomniacs
New Release - At Least I'm Not With You
Click to Read Reviews

To purchase an autographed CD for $16.99 via paypal (US Shipping only), click the Buy Now button & thanks for your support!

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BMA Nominated "Best New Artist Debut for 2008 by The Blues Foundation
The Insomniacs
Left Coast Blues
Click to Read Reviews

To purchase an autographed CD for $16.99 via paypal (US Shipping only), click the Buy Now button & thanks for your support!

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Or download it from iTunes!



Photos below by Ian Bondi, Studio 3 Inc.










Photo By Ian Bondi, Studio 3 inc.
Dave Melyan- Drums

 

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:


Dean Mueller
503.330.8645

or

Greg Baert
604.688.1976

or

Delta Groove Music
Kelly Davis
818.755.4460
deltagroovemusic.com



Publicity

Karen Leipziger
KL Productions
615.297.4452


Performance Highlights

Blues Music Awards
Centrum Blues Fest
Waterfront Blues Fest
Untapped Blues Festival
Sunbanks Blues Festival
Chautauqua Blues Fest
Waterfront Blues Cruise
The Crystal Ballroom
Blues By The Sea
Party in The Park
SLO Vet's Hall
The Avalon
Knuckleheads
Cafe Boogaloo
Eugene Celebration
Poor House Bistro
Biscuits & Blues
Wild Buffalo
Highway 99
The Upstage
The Yale
Lefty's
Cozy's




 

InfluencesHollywood Fats, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Junior Watson, Nick Curan and The Nitelifes, Willie Dixon, Rich Delgrosso, Lousiana Red, Phil Wagner, and Marco Savo.
Record LabelDelta Groove Music
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Jul 10 2009 9:30P
Arcadia Blues Club ARCADIA, California
Jul 11 2009 9:30P
Humphrey’s By The Bay - Backstage Live San Diego, California
Jul 12 2009 5:00P
Cafe Boogaloo Hermosa Beach, California
Jul 14 2009 8:00P
Shanachie Pub Willits, California
Jul 16 2009 8:30P
Ukiah Brewing Ukiah, California
Jul 17 2009 7:30P
Verve Lounge Aptos, California
Jul 18 2009 6:00P
Poor House Bistro San Jose, California
Jul 19 2009 3:00P
Powerhouse Pub Folsom, California
Jul 20 2009 8:00P
Alex’s Plaza Restaurant and Bar Ashland, Oregon
Jul 26 2009 6:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 27 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 28 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 29 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 30 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Jul 31 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Aug 1 2009 8:00P
Centrum Blues Festival Port Townsend, Washington
Aug 4 2009 7:30P
National Night Out in Knott Park Portland, Oregon
Aug 5 2009 6:30P
Music in Meinig - Meinig Park Sandy, Oregon
Aug 27 2009 9:00P
Arcata Theatre Lounge Arcata, California
Aug 28 2009 8:00P
Biscuits & Blues San Francisco, California
Aug 29 2009 9:00P
Torch Club Sacramento, California
Aug 30 2009 8:30P
Alex’s Plaza Restaurant and Bar Ashland, Oregon
Sep 10 2009 8:00P
Bluz at The Bend Spokane, Washington
Sep 11 2009 7:00P
Blues & Brews for the Rivers Edge Trail Great Falls, Montana
Sep 12 2009 8:00P
Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company Billings, Montana
Sep 13 2009 9:30P
Chico Hot Springs Resort Pray, Montana
Sep 17 2009 8:00P
Blues & Greens Boulder, Colorado
Sep 18 2009 9:00P
McCabe’s Tavern Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sep 19 2009 9:00P
Zoo Bar Lincoln, Nebraska
Sep 21 2009 8:30P
Blue Monday - The Alamo Springfield, Illinois
Sep 22 2009 8:00P
Elks Country Club St Anne, Illinois
Sep 24 2009 9:00P
Slippery Noodle Inn Indianapolis, Indiana
Sep 26 2009 9:30P
Buddy Guy’s Legends Chicago, Illinois

The Insomniacs 2008 BMA Nominee's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

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   About The Insomniacs 2008 BMA Nominee
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The Insomniacs Bio

BIOGRAPHY

2008 Blues Award nominee for “Best New Artist Debut
The Blues Foundation.


The Insomniacs could become legendary.” - Blues Revue Magazine

THE INSOMNIACS' brand new release "AT LEAST I'M NOT WITH YOU" (April 21, 2009/Delta Groove Music), the follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut "Left Coast Blues", was recorded in only two days. The Portland, OR-based band led by 27-year old vocalist/guitarist/songwriter VYASA DODSON, together with bassist DEAN MUELLER, keyboardist ALEX SHAKERI and drummer DAVE MELYAN, laid down an astounding set of material that had been finely tuned night after night out on the road over the last two years. This release had the benefit of production help from Jeff Scott Fleenor from Delta Groove and the quality sound of one of the finest recording studios on the West Coast (Clear Lake Audio). Joined by special guests Al Blake (harmonica), Mitch Kashmar (harmonica), Joel Paterson (pedal steel guitar), and Jeff Turmes (tenor/baritone sax), The Insomniacs expand on their original intoxicating formula -- a mix of blues, swing, jump, and roots rock -- and deliver what is sure to become an instant classic.

The Insomniacs seemed to literally explode onto the scene out of nowhere in 2007 as a fully-formed and functional unit delighting audiences with their joyous and highly contagious musical sound and irresistible sense of swing. Their self-produced debut release "Left Coast Blues", recorded in the living room of bassist Dean Mueller, was quickly snatched up and issued on Delta Groove Music, hitting a peak position of No. 5 on the national Living Blues radio charts. Critical praise and industry recognition from the blues community soon followed, garnering the band a 2008 Blues Music Award nomination for Best New Artist Debut, as well as a 2007 Muddy Award presented by the Cascade Blues Association for Best Contemporary Blues Act.

They play vintage instruments and channel a blues style from the 1950's, but there is a distinct new cyberspace bent to The Insomniacs. These musicians, who have quickly jumped into the top tier of clubs, tour endless highways in a beat-up van, babying a gut-string upright, a 1951 Fender "Nocaster" guitar, a 1964 Framus Star Bass, and their Magnatone and Ampeg tube amps.

They fill long drives between gigs by surfing the web on wireless laptops, looking at MySpace and Facebook friends of the clubs down the road, and emailing blues fans inviting them to listen to the band and come to a show. The result is hundreds of plays per day on MySpace, a site usually focused on alternative, pop and hip-hop music. They've engaged a whole new generation of first-time young blues fans, as well as older ones who recognize the roots of their music.

Guitarist Vyasa Dodson, whose exotic name is a Sanskrit gift from his Northern California mother, had a revelation when he switched from emulating Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton to studying jump blues masters such as Junior Watson, Tiny Grimes, Charlie Christian, and Little Charlie Baty.  "The Blues isn't dead," says Dodson. "It's just going in different directions. B.B. King and Buddy Guy got started when they were young. The same thing is happening today."

"Blues music just speaks to me," says bassist Dean Mueller, who had his mind blown teaching at Centrum's Port Townsend Country Blues Festival, where he jammed with John Cephas, Louisiana Red and Honeyboy Edwards. "It was just so cool. I knew I had found my home."

Together with Alex Shakeri ..s and Dave Melyan on drums, they bust out with an original mix of blues, swing, jump, and roots rock & roll that has crowds dancing the night away. You can't get that energy from a computer, the Internet, MySpace or a DVD.

“Who can sleep, with The Insomniacs?” (Blue Suede News)


"It is rare these days to see young blues musicians come along who have the kind of vision and commitments to play this music and make a go of it like these guys are. I am impressed by their talents and their humility..." Al Blake (Hollywood Blue Flames)

"Vyasa really is a triple threat: guitar player, singer and songwriter. No doubt he is one hell of a guitar player, but it is his singing on this that really knocks me out." Junior Watson

"The Portland, Oregon, group has that West Coast Swing sound down pat, performing tight numbers with original songwriting...There are no wasted notes and the music breathes with the palm trees."Blues Wax


“The Insomniacs could become legendary
Blues Revue

"...they should be among the five nominees for Best New Artist Debut at the Blues Music Awards"
Illinois Blues

" Delta Groove has added another tasty morsel to their already impressive catalog……..unwrap and enjoy "
Blues Wax

…an auspicious debut from a supremely talented band
Blues in Britain

The Insomniacs are clearly in a league all their own
Big City Blues

“... a smooth classy groove from the opening track”
Blues Matters

The Insomniacs are an eye-opening foursome, indeed.
Music City Blues

a disc that hits all the right notes from beginning to end...this baby smokes
Blues Source

"They are polished, smooth, energetic, and authentic sounding all at the same time."
Maine Blues Society

“They will definitely get any crowd up on their feet!”
Blues & Rhythm Magazine

a more impressive start than this, I feel, could not be achieved
Blues Art Journal

The Insomniacs are leaving their own thumbprint on this segment of the blues – and it feels good
Southland Blues Magazine

“This West Coast jump blues band ignites a party wherever they perform.”
Blues Notes

"The Insomniacs are the new generation of high-energy, authentic, young-bloods"
Randy Chorktoff, CEO Delta Groove Productions

Visit the Delta Groove web site by clicking here.



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   The Insomniacs 2008 BMA Nominee's Friend Space (Top 24)
The Insomniacs 2008 BMA Nominee has 5036 friends.
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 Delta Groove Music 


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 ZOO Bar 


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 Torch Club 


 vyasa 


 David 


 Dean Mueller 


 Mary4Music ♫ 


 Alex Shakeri 


 Poor House Bistro 


 ~Holly~ 


 Amber Ryan 


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 britta 


 carly 





The Insomniacs 2008 BMA Nominee's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 828 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Teresa





Jul 10 2009 8:33 AM

Thnx 4 the request!!! Love your high energy vibe. Congrats...i'll definitely have to check out 1 of your LA shows :) PEACE
Miss Green





Jul 10 2009 1:54 AM

Looking forward to seeing you guys at the Shanachie!
Blues





Jul 10 2009 1:54 AM

Hey guys , a Great time was had @ Knuckleheads w/ Hubert Sumlin , Hope to see you again soon
Cruzer
Arcadia Blues





Jul 10 2009 1:53 AM





Rocktimes-Joe





Jul 9 2009 8:04 AM

Hi,

thanks for adding and keep on with your Blues...

groovy greets

Joe
Tenacious Tink





Jul 5 2009 6:21 PM

   Have a Safe and Happy 4th!
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
XOXO Tenacious Tink
Betty Boop





Jul 2 2009 7:26 PM

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Suzanne





Jul 2 2009 7:26 PM

SUZANNE
SUZANNE
Mike Dollins





Jul 2 2009 7:26 PM

Keep on jammin’ them blues, it’s music to my ears. The House is a Rockin’ at Odie’s House of Blues with host band Mike Dollins & The Cruize Brothers every Thursday Check out www.bluesguitarnews.ning.com  an all blues network to list your gigs, videos and photos.  See who has joined in the blues social network, and join the fun.  Burn them 6L6's into little sizzling pools of melted glass brothers and sisters.  Peace to the world through blues.
Rocky





Jun 10 2009 2:03 PM

Thanks so much for the add! If you come to Sonoma county CA. I'll be there!! ~Kat
Michelle - THEDORSEYTOUCH





Jun 9 2009 5:12 PM

Thanks for sharing your music with us.
Best Wishes!
Michelle
THEDORSEYTOUCH


Me Me





Jun 7 2009 8:00 PM

This comment was sent by your friend via the Kiss Me app. To block this app and all communications from it, click Here.


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I just kissed you.
Click here to kiss me back!

So I missed the concert and I am sad when will you be back? To Billings, Mt

BANG BANG BAZOOKA





Jun 6 2009 7:05 PM

Greetings from Rockcity !
My Old Kentucky Drums





Jun 6 2009 7:05 PM

======================================

Thanks for the link to other Drum enthusiasts
You have a great site with killer material



Your interest in Vintage is Appreciated

======================================
Head Case Radio





Jun 5 2009 7:09 AM

!! Thanks For Being Our Kind Of Head Case !!

Go To Head Case Radio!

Evan Caleb-Yearsley 08 BMA/WC HANDY AWARD NOMINEE





Jun 5 2009 7:04 AM

It was so good to see you guys! Happy to hear you guys are O.K! Have a safe road trip, and great gigs, see you guys in Portland! Evan

BRON BUICK - Official





Jun 4 2009 8:55 PM

Hi all -
welcome to my little space - hope you enjoy your visits!
Have a great weekend -
bluesy best -
Bron
Barbara





Jun 4 2009 5:01 PM

thanks
great
 love and success
keep in touch maybe sometimes
Kingdom Brothers





Jun 3 2009 11:36 PM

Welcome aboard.
BW
CHUCK C





Jun 3 2009 11:36 PM

Myspace Comments
Myspace Comments
Gringo Soul





Jun 3 2009 7:31 AM

Thanks for adding Gringo Soul! Stop by and drop a line!
Leslie Sanazaro Santi





Jun 3 2009 7:31 AM

Saw your poster recently at BB's in STL.  Nice to meet you guys here.  I love the title of your record.
Cheers from an STL singer-songwriter,

Leslie.
Red Card Royale





Jun 3 2009 7:30 AM

you guys kick ass! wish we coulda seen you when you were in STL! thanks for the invite!
Steve Scorfina of REO / Pavlov's Dog





Jun 3 2009 7:30 AM

DIG YOUR BLUES, ALL MY BEST STEVE SCORFINA
Sky at SkyReport


Online Now!


Jun 2 2009 3:46 AM

Thanks for the invite.
Sky
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