N. SHORE MUSIC BOOKING AGENCY
Ironic has recently launched a full-service music booking agency!
Ironic North Shore Music Booking Agency is the newest branch of Ironic! We are focusing our efforts on the North Shore area (Essex County, some of Middlesex County) & the Southern NH seacoast area.
Our goal is to help musicians broaden their horizons and get more gigs on the North Shore as well as help venues who are looking to get to know new and different talent. We work with everyone from single musicians to full fledged bands, and strive to find the perfect band to fit the venue, or help the venue expand to a new genre.
Ironic is experienced in contract negotiation and adamant about striking up the right agreement between venue and artist. We firmly believe that there is NO reason everyone can't be happy. That is our goal and a fundamental part of our job - to ensure that both the venues and the musicians we represent are getting exactly what they need.
Ironic is also no stranger to promotion, PR and marketing. We believe in helping both the venue and the artist/band with promotion. We have a number of contacts (which are growing on a daily basis) with journalists (print, radio & web alike). We are also strong advocaters and highly experienced in social networking so you can find us on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Reverbnation...and tons of other sites...just Google us and see what you come up with! And as we all well know, the more people at the gig, the more everyone’s happy!
IRONIC's GROWING ROSTER INCLUDES (listed alphabetically):
ADAM PAYNE – 2ADAM12 – soul/funk/R&B
http://adampayne.biz - www.myspace.com/ampayne
There is no mistaking the sultry sounds of Adam Payne. With a smile and sound as big as his afro, Adam entertains full crowds with his fusion of Funk, R&B, Folk, and Acoustic.
Payne has shared the stage with artists ranging from the Avett Brothers to The Pharcyde as well as members of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has collaborated with Artists all over the globe, and lends his writing, production and vocal talents to projects across many genres including producing and composing the music for a documentary film about the Rwandan Genocide entitled 'Coexist.'
On three separate occasions, Payne was featured on CBS Channel 4 Boston's 'Sundays with Liz Walker' and he was also generously recognized in the Boston Globe. In addition, Payne attended the MIDEM Music Conference in France on behalf of Sonicbids where he spoke on a panel about brands and their interest in independent artists.
Adam is also active in the community and supports a myriad of causes. Payne is the founder of the Benefit for Jane, a cause which raises funds and awareness of Kidney Cancer in honor of his late mother and is sponsored by the Kidney Cancer Association.
These days, Adam can be found vibing out solo, or with his full band 2ADAM12. The full band presents some of the finest players in the Greater Boston area, with pieces ranging from the standard four to the gargantuan eight. No matter the line-up, an Adam Payne show is surely one to remember.
BINGO FRIDAYS - JAKE PARDEE – rock/roots music/funkadelic
www.myspace.com/bingofridays - www.sonicbids.com/bingofridays
Young enough to know what it takes to pack a club and get audiences excited, but old enough to remember when MTV actually played music, Bingo Fridays is delivering what modern music should be by combining influences of jazz, reggae, blues, funk, rock, and everything in-between. Formal training through Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory offer a sophisticated approach to improvisation and arrangement and ultimately lead to Bingo Fridays being the band you should be keeping tabs on. Bingo Fridays features: Jake Pardee- Guitar/Lead Vocals; Pete Iannitto- Bass/Backing Vocals; Aaron Zaroulis-Drums.
BROTHER HIJINX - psychedelic/rock/funk
www.brotherhijinx.com - www.myspace.com/brotherhijinx
A Brooklyn based band who often comes to the N. Shore to gig, Brother Hijinx = deep atmospheric grooves with a large helping of sonic dub-a-licious funk. Composed of Anthony Robustelli - vocals, keyboards, mouse & samples (Spearhead, Jungle Brothers, Kelly Price, Brian Jackson) & John Cabán - guitar, lap steel, vocals & atmosphere (Richard Bona, Alana Davis, Dana Fuchs Band, Dispatch, they have been playing, recording and songwriting together as a production team for over 5 years and serve up songs with a healthy dose of deep rump shakin' improvisation and rhythmic grooves, that has been earning them a steady following throughout the country.
CANTONESE TRAFFIC - blues/funk/jam band
www.myspace.com/cantonesetraffic - www.cantonesetraffic.com
Cantonese Traffic is a power trio from Rochester, NH formed by Mike Allard (guitar & vocals), Zac Arnault (bass & vocals) and Rory Dean (percussion). Their mission is to take music to a higher ground, creating a very unique fusion of blues, jazz, funk, psychedelic, reggae, and rock. Some of their main influences include Miles Davis, John Coltrane, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsies, Ten Years After, Humble Pie, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and many more. These Influences are evident on their debut album, “Proceed With Caution” (released April ‘08). The band's 2nd album, "The Chronicles of Canton" (released July ’09).
Cantonese Traffic has great musicianship and can perform both electric and acoustic sets. They are versatile enough to play a rippin’ electric blues set and a more mellow acoustic set while maintaining their unique sound. Renowned for their extended intricate improvisation, masterful songwriting, original stage antics and overall powerful live performances this band has been known to turn heads and rock socks clear off.
CHRISTA RENEE BAND - indie/electro acoustic/reggae
Christa Renee Band is a blend of reggae, groove and rock with world undertones. They play both catchy original songs and re-tooled covers by artists ranging from MIA to the Cars. The band includes Christa Renee on guitar and vocals, Jeff Costello on drums, Pete Gustafson on bass and Les Lumley on percussion. They recently recorded original favorite "Iron Lion" as a single which can be heard on WSCA 106.1 FM, Portsmouth Community Radio. Christa is also available to do solo shows, rocking out with her G&L electric guitar.
JAMIE KENT - jazz/pop/rock
www.jamiekent.com / /www.myspace.com/jamiekentmusic
A 23-year-old musician, a passionate environmentalist and a curious mischief maker, Jamie loves comfortable clothing, high fives, cool hats, good beer, good people and is terribly addicted to fantasy baseball. He has been writing music for about six years and studying voice for about the same. He’s proudly played in a Mariachi band, performed in an A-capella group and crooned for a 16 piece big band.
Neoteny is Jamie Kent’s debut album and is a true reflection of his personality, song writing, talent, and aspirations. The album takes listeners on a journey through the depths of Kent’s mind, touching on experiences in his life that we all can relate to and introducing us to characters that have emerged through Kent’s playful nature and heartfelt imagination.
Jamie also does gigs with a band, called The Options, an amazingly talented group of musicians. The Options have been known to change on any given night, but at their foundation are: Rich Adelson- Drums; Joe Boyle- Lead guitar; Johnny O’Boyle- Bass; Bill Holloman- Keys, Sax, Trumpet.
MAX SULLIVAN - rock/blues/roots
www.sonicbids.com/maxsullivan - www.myspace.com/maxsullivan
Max Sullivan is one of the areas up and coming young performers. While he is known as a great blues guitarist, he plays all styles of music: classical, gospel, funk, roots, punk, and classic rock. He writes and performs his own material in addition to performing covers. His set list is eclectic; you'll hear anything from Buddy Guy to the Ramones. This young blues man knows his roots, but he is as influenced by the Pixies as by John Lee Hooker. His original songs are clearly blues infused but have crossover appeal. Max is currently performing around southern NH, MA, and NY: solo, and with his trio, the Max Sullivan Group. He also performs with the International House of Blues Foundation band, at the Boston House of Blues.
PAUL SPEIDEL BAND – blues/jazz/rock
http://paulspeidelband.com/index.html - www.myspace.com/paulspeidel
In an era when anyone can remix classic LPs, download drum loops or strum a few chords onto a computer and cut and paste their way to fame, The Paul Speidel Band is a group of three seasoned musicians who have learned how to make something special happen on stage through playing live music. A local Blues guitar veteran, Speidel and his band celebrated 15 years of dues-paying on the Boston blues scene in 2004, with the release of their debut CD, "The Paul Speidel Band". This CD showcases their unique blend of rockin' blues, jazzy grooves and catchy hooks and riffs.
In 2005, The Paul Speidel Band recorded and released "Guitar Bass Drums", which came out to critical acclaim ("Three Stars" -- Downbeat Magazine). And, in 2008, they were chosen as Finalists in the Boston Blues Challenge. They are currently working on a 3-CD project of their digitally-remastered archive material, which was recorded live in clubs, concerts and during radio broadcasts in the 90's and early 2000's.
PREACHER JACK – roots/rockabilly/boogie woogie
www.myspace.com/thepreacherjack
"Preacher" Jack Coughlin was born and raised on the North Shore of Mass. Known as much for his rambling, sometimes mind numbing recitations and righteous holier-than-thou diatribes on life and love, as for his brilliant "boogie-woogie" style piano playing, Preacher Jack has thrilled and mystified fans throughout Massachusetts and beyond with his often ”larger than life” performances of self-taught country style and honky-tonk tales mixed with classic honky-tonk, early rock n roll, rockabilly and boogie-woogie styles.
Those with long memories won't forget his 9 year "residency" at the Upper Deck of the Shipwreck Lounge on Revere Beach Blvd in the 1970s, or his days at the Colonial in Lynnfield with "Delaware Destroyer" George Thorogood sitting to Jack's right listening & watching intensely as Jack's famous left hand worked the keys...or his Blue Star days in Saugus with Gary Cherone of Extreme and Van Halen fame chiming in on Gospel harmonies…or his 7 years at Franks Steak House every Thursday & Friday night. Preacher Jack IS a local legend!
Now signed to Bill Hunt's Cow Island Music - a new CD, Pictures From Life's Other Side, was released in 2007. Preacher Jack has also recorded for Ken Irwin's Rounder Records, Black Rose Records, as well as Solo Art Records. Influenced by people as diverse as The Hillbilly Bard Hank Williams to Liberace, from Magalia Jackson to Jerry Lee Lewis, Preacher Jack's sets often reflect the mood he is in or …as often the case… whatever comes to his fingertips first!
STU TAILS - reggae/rock/rap
www.myspace.com/stutail - www.uhire.com/stutails
In the fall of 2008, four college students came together to create a new sound combining Reggae, Ska, Dub, with an element of Hip Hop blended in; experimenting also with Metal, Punk and Funk-Gone-Epic, coming together to form a new style which really has no distinctive name.
With a unique sound and an even more unique live performance, they have developed a large fan base and play often throughout New England. Their “Eli Porter worshipping-school bus touring-Stu-Tail” parties are a big hit at the venues they play. There is no separation between the Stu-Tails and their audience.