Check out the latest release from the fast growing Mason Jar artist, Steez. In classic Steez fashion, the Madison boys managed to track a four song EP that clocks in over 40 minutes long. This is pure funk nastiness with serious improvization for a studio recording. You can grab the album on a “name your price” basis at the Steez bandcamp site.

Available now on Turbine’s bandcamp site.

Working closely with producer John Davis, who recorded The Black Keys’ Grammy winning song Tighten Up off their recent album, Brothers, Turbine puts forth an album that guitarist Jeremy Hilliard describes as, “By far, the best our music has ever been presented.”

Blue Light City is laced with subtle intricacies that listeners might glance over without even noticing. The music is dotted with odd time signatures, unorthodox structures, and innovative applications to the instruments. Yet, what makes Blue Light City such a stellar listen is despite the nearly endless complexities in the music, the album barrels along in nonstop fun. The songs are catchier than ever without jeopardizing the band’s musical training and respect for sophistication.

Turbine has quickly gained a devoted audience who have come to expect the unexpected. Chosen by Relix Magazine as “Artists on the Verge”, they can scratch like a DJ with their harmonicas, turn an electric guitar into a silver fiddle, and sing three-part harmonies over wild, high-energy sci-fi rock soundscapes.

Hailing from New York City, Turbine has graced the stage at almost every major festival across the country including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, 10K Lakes, Gathering of the Vibes, and Telluride Bluegrass just to name a few. They have also been fortunate enough to perform with many influential bands including the Del McCoury Band, the Benevento-Russo Duo, and moe. With Blue Light City, the band hopes to take the next step and reach that level of notoriety for themselves.

The band will celebrate the release of Blue Light City with a show at NYC’s Sullivan Hall on Friday, June 24th at 11 pm. The album will be available for download via the band’s bandcamp site.

In conjunction with Hidden Track, Mason Jar Records and Turbine offered there latest live release, Sounds in the Hall, for the low low price of free.

Grab it. You won’t regret it.

For Immediate Release

Turbine and Mason Jar Records team up for live release Sounds in the Hall

Set for release at shows and via all major internet distribution channels beginning May 22nd

Breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling of the improvisational rock scene proves no easy feat for young bands. Burgeoning musicians lumped in the dare we say it, jamband realm, need to successfully marry a deep high-quality catalog of material, whimsical stage presence, diverse writing chops, virtuoso instrumentation, and a calendar containing upwards of 200 shows per year. Correction, breaking through the glass ceiling of the improvisational rock scene is damn near impossible.

But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, and Brooklyn’s Turbine would like to submit their CV. On their first official live release, Sounds in the Hall, as they have over the course of 8 songs checked off every single one of the preceding prerequisites. Comprised of carefully hand-picked selections of both Turbine classics and newer material, Sounds in the Hall covers all the bases, but the clear differentiating factor that sets Turbine far above the masses is their amazing penchant for writing memorable and distinctive songs across a variety of sounds and genres.

Just running through the eight song track list, Turbine touches on a bonafide hit-single in waiting “Blackout Song,” the slow summer groove akin to the Grateful Dead “Eddy From the Sea,” a thick extended funk jam on “Behind These Walls” that stretches all way to cow funk-era 1997, blazing bluegrass chops on Maritime Rag, and a handful of tunes that highlight the remarkable vocals and smoking harmonica leads.

Having played a seemingly infinite number of shows over the past couple of years, the Turbine boys took a lot of time in selecting their finest renditions of the material on Sound from the Halls, as described by guitarist and harmonica player Ryan Rightmire.

“There were so many factors in selecting the songs. Being that this is our first official live album, we wanted to include songs from our two studio albums as well as feature some unreleased ones. In the end, half the album is made up of unreleased tracks. Listening back to the performances, it was hard to ignore the energy of the big shows. Bonnaroo and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival brought out some great moments, so they are well represented. As for a specific memory, at one point during “Stand Down” I played the harmonica with a balloon, and you can hear the crowd erupt mid-song. It’s those mid-song responses that always tell us things are going well.”

It bears highlighting that Turbine’s Ryan Rightmire incorporates the harmonica like it’s never been used in a rock context. Not only does he employ some trickery like playing with a balloon, but it’s not uncommon to hear him layer on some effects and turn his harp into a synth-laden rhythm instrument. Alternatively, he possesses to chops to play it clean and go toe-to-toe with John Popper and perhaps remain the last man standing. While it’s probably not wise for the bands’ publicity to start entering them into fights, these guys are pretty scrappy so keep your guard up, Popper.

Turbine is by no means any one trick pony either, guitarist Jeremy Hilliard plays law-running lead guitar and cranks out definitive melodies throughout his lead playing as well as helping shape Turbine’s wide reaching sound with his song-writing talents. Bassist Justin Kimmel and drummer Octavio Salman hold down the low post like Abdul-Jabar, as both are trained musicians with the ability to run the offense and take over the game at any moment.

Sometimes these things just feel meant to be; when Turbine showed up to perform their show at Bonnaroo, from which three of these tracks were taken, they found a bit of encouraging irony. “There was a giant wind turbine spinning next to the stage. As of matter of fact, it powered our entire show including all of the recording equipment. We made the announcement that this was the first turbine-powered Turbine concert. I kept expecting the songs to speed up every time a gust of wind made it spin faster.”

Taking the name from the lyrics of one the album’s highlight tracks, “Behind These Walls,” Sounds in the Hall evokes a sense of the live experience the overall feel for this tour, which included some big venues. We can only hope that with the help of a successfully release, that the halls will keep growing and the sounds will just keep getting better.

In support of the album, Turbine will host a record release party on May 22nd at the Mercury Lounge in New York City (with the Brew).

Sounds in the Hall Tracklist

Eddy the Sea – Telluride Bluegrass Festival, CO
War of 9161 (The Pledge) – Breckenridge, CO
Invited – Bonnaroo, TN
Behind These Walls – Boulder, CO
Doing to Me – Bonnaroo, TN
Stand Down – Bonnaroo, TN
Maritime Rag – Telluride Bluegrass Festival, CO
Blackout Song – Breckenridge, CO

Check out this terrific review of Creepfunk Crusade from Mark Uricheck from our buddies at Elmore Magazine. This is not only a glowing review, but extraordinarily well-written. Thanks Mark.

Listening to Steez’ debut disc, Creepfunk Crusade, is like having a slimy second skin slowly envelop your body—the music is atmospheric, down and dirty, cagey, experimental funk. It’s the sort of stuff that will make you feel an emotional release, and your body will respond in tumultuous, rhythmic turn.

The Madison, Wisconsin based Steez has laid down some curiously slick grooves on this disc. They spin their unique brand of funk-laden sounds into mesmerizing trips into the rock, electronica and even Latin-tinged arenas. The band has a fantastic sense of rhythmic interplay, and the layers of offbeat guitar work and various electronic chaos seamlessly swirl into unison.

Several tracks clock in at over seven minutes, like the cascading, Miami-on-a-Saturday-night party feel of “Rufio” and the sexy jazz/funk hybrid “TKO.” There are also several instrumentals such as the hazy, almost ethereal, extended jam “Trouser Snakes.” The longer tunes enhance the trance-like feel of the record, and the intense explosions of funked-up guitar only enhance the deliciously spaced out and groovy, mind-altering buzz.

Steez is poised to take funk in a bold new direction with their debut disc. Innovative, daring and highly danceable, this disc is funk’s delirious, decadent future.

—Mark Uricheck

It’s been a while since we last checked in, but we have some exciting news from the MJR camp. We’re in the final stages of inking a deal with another one of our favorite up and coming jambands, New York City’s very own Turbine.

We’re not wasting any time either. We plan to put the pedal to the metal starting now, as we’re releasing a live album May 22nd, which we’re kicking off with a party at the Mercury Lounge. Plenty more to follow, but for now just take a listen…

So… What are the folks saying about Steez and Creepfunk Crusade? The reviews are pouring in with a great response thus far.

Our best review yet just came in from our friends at Elmore Magazine. “Steez is poised to take funk in a bold new direction with their debut disc. Innovative, daring and highly danceable, this disc is funk’s delirious, decadent future.”

Creepfunk Crusade rated #4 best album of the Year in Madison by the Isthmus and up for Studio Album of the Year on the Homegrown Music Network.

Steez named “New Groove of the Month” on Jambands.com.

Steez featured in the “On the Verge” section of the latest Relix.

Creepfunk Crusade charted on both the Homegrown Music Network Radio Charts and the Jambands.com Radio Charts, peaking at #19 and #23, respectively.

Glide Magazine full-length interview: The Hot Spot with Steez

Cited in Madison’s Isthmus Independent Press as one of the Ten Most Influential Bands in Madison throughout the 2000’s (we’re gunnin’ for you on the all-time list Steve Miller).

“Funk behaves as the base vibe from which the band then takes fanciful expeditions towards progressive, electronic, and just plain different sounds. With a strong throughline that remains a highly danceable funk groove, there’s an astonishing level of cohesion through some rather adventurous sonic sojourns. When it works, that’s Creepfunk.” – Jambands.com

Full Feature “Track by Track” article on Creepfunk Crusade – Hidden Track

“More than 50 years later, the pop paradigm is shifting in a way that’s just as fundamental. The synthesizer is eclipsing the guitar as the primary voice in the most influential pop now being made. From the simple synth riffs that define MGMT songs like “Kids,” to baroque compositions such as Animal Collective’s “My Girls,” the synthesizer is increasingly the heart and soul of 21st-century pop. That trend is weaving its way into the fabric of Madison music. And that’s why Creepfunk Crusade, the new CD by Steez, is a seminal local release.” – The Isthmus (full feature with interview)

Steez at the NYC CD Release / Label Launch party at the Bowery Poetry Club

Band of the Month – Grateful Web

”I must say that this is a hugely impressive debut album from Steez that I cannot recommend enough. Catch this band and see for yourself.” – Musical Stew Daily

“Generally speaking, Steez is a band in the sweet spot; that point where they are really clicking with one another and getting a lot better, fast.” – Glide Magazine

“This group possesses the intuition and communication skills to make the shit work, no doubt about it.” – Jambase.com

Steez presents a muscular, energetic blend of funk, jam, and groove with “Creepfunk Crusade.” – Homegrown Music Network Review

10,000 Lakes Festival Review – Kind Web

Live Track Featured at the Butter Room

Interview with Steve at the 10,000 Lakes Festival – Dane 101

And last but certainly not least, Steez has been accepted as part of the legendary Home Grown Music Network distribution team. We’re very happy to be on board with these guys as they have long been an intergral cog in the jamband scene. Founder Lee Crumpton won the Jammy – or more specifically the Grahamy – for industry / support of the scene. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship. Newest Member Welcome – Homegrown Music Net

Thank you so much to everyone who helped spread the word and listened to the album. It really means a lot and we truly appreciate your support.

Just a quick update on Steez’s run at 10,000 Lakes this past weekend. Despite a tough pairing alongside Wilco, Steez managed to pack in the Saloon Stage for their night slot (fortunately the wooks can’t deal with that alt-country goodness) and earned an honest to goodness encore.

Also, the track on the compilation CD went over far better than we could have ever expected. Not only did we get lots of great feedback, but get this: after Dave Matthews closing set, the lights go down for the big fireworks display and guess what they play for probably 20,000 people during the pyrotechnic show? Yep, our song. Awesome.

Finally, we haven’t seen many reviews roll in quite yet, but guitarist Steve Neary did give an interview to a local newspaper. Check it out.

For Immediate Release

STEEZ and Mason Jar Records team up to produce debut LP, Creepfunk Crusade

Set for release at shows and via all major internet distribution channels
beginning August 13th

Churning out their self-described “Creepfunk,” a high energy, danceable variety of funk – one uniquely laced with electronic and improvisational sensibilities – the Madison-based five-piece band Steez has and teamed up with Mason Jar Records to produce the band’s full-length studio debut, Creepfunk Crusade. The CD is set for release on August 13, 2009 via all major internet outlets and at gigs on the band’s CD release tour, which begins in Chicago.

The Madison-based five piece, consisting of Matt Williams (keyboards, synthesizers, and accordion), Steve Neary (guitar and vocals), Rob Bessert (drums), Chris Sell (bass), and Andrzej Benkowski (saxophone, oboe, and violin) has garnered a loyal following throughout the Midwest, winning talent contests to perform at the 2008 and 2009 Summer Camp Festivals, the Rothbury Festival, and the 10,000 Lakes Festival.

After receiving repeated acclaim for their live performances, which typically include a seamless weaving of thoughtfully composed originals and crowd pleasing covers spanning from Madonna to clever obscurities like Genialstid (from Estonia), Steez hit the studio with producer Andrew LaValley of Bear Sound in Madison, WI over the course of six months to record intricately detailed renditions of twelve original songs.

When people talk about the old adage that debut albums are often the best of a band’s career – because they highlight the best work from the musicians’ entire lives up to that point – it is with albums like Creepfunk Crusade in mind. A true organic grassroots effort, Steez and LaValley teamed up after LaValley began recording their live shows and a mutual respect developed. Subsequently, after writing about Steez as a favorite up and coming band on Glide Magazine’s Hidden Track blog, Mason Jar Records co-founder Ryan Dembinsky and Steez became friends and decided that Steez and Mason Jar Records made a perfect collaboration for the start of a new independent record label. These connections translated into an incredible energy and excitement for the project, the result of which is a special end result.

At its core, Creepfunk Crusade is exactly what it sounds like, a dirty as a West Village Taco Bell funk album. The overarching theme of the album is set by songs like “Electric Mr. Boston,” “Duderfunk,” “Wrappin It Up,” and the album standout, “Scoring Position,” which integrate innovative funk song structures, a fresh driving rhythm section, and patient powerhouse playing on sax, guitar, and keyboards.

Alternatively, the band bends with sonic flexibility on departures such as the both catchy and hilarious, “Hot N Sweaty,” which pokes fun at the ladies (read: wookies) of the jamband scene of which it is a part, with its gut busting lyrics, “Girl you look really hot and sweaty. Got a little vomit on your dreadies. I was hoping you could save me a bag of headies. You could really use a new pair of tennies. Honey if you want to; you can have my pennies.”

Further, what is a debut album without a breakup song? Creepfunk Crusade includes the band’s two song, multi-part cathartic stop-start opus, “So I Guess I’ll See Ya” parts I and II, which highlights the band’s honorary sixth member Kenny Leiser (Lucas Cates Band) on violin and calls upon the Old West, Pink Floyd, and the Disco Biscuits for influence.

The patient approach and tireless studio hours come across in the album as each song layers near-countless tracks with meticulous detail. Particulars to note include keyboard player Matt Williams’ endless palette of unique tone colors, interactions and lick-trades between instruments with Swiss watch precision, and stop-start timings.

All told, with their remarkable work ethic, splendid song writing, unmatched chemistry, and now a brilliant debut album – one that turns the axiom that jambands can’t make a good studio album upside down – Steez is sure to make waves and take Creepfunk to the next level.

In support of the album, Steez will hit the road for a brief CD release tour, their first on a national level and highlighted with a record release/label launch party in New York City on August 21st at the Bowery Poetry Club.

CD Release Tour Dates:

Aug 13 2009 9:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – Kinetic Playground, Chicago, IL
Aug 14 2009 10:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – The Mousetrap, Indianapolis, IN
Aug 15 2009 8:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR- Skullys, Columbus, OH
Aug 16 2009 9:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – Stanley’s Pub, Cincinnati, OH
Aug 17 2009 8:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – The Fishtank, Lexington, KY
Aug 20 2009 9:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – Mile High Club, Philadelphia, PA
Aug 21 2009 8:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – Bowery Poetry Club, New York, NY
Aug 22 2009 6:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – Nelson Ledges Quarry, Garrettsville, OH
Aug 28 2009 8:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI
Sep 4 2009 9:30 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – The Cabooze, Minneapolis, MN
Sep 18 2009 10:00 PM CD RELEASE TOUR – Up and Under Pub Milwaukee, WI

Creepfunk Crusade will be available at the gigs as well as all major internet distribution channels such as Amazon, iTunes, Napster, eMusic, Lala, Shockhound, Rhapsody and other major internet outlets. For details check the label’s website at www.masonjarrecords.com or the band’s website at www.creepfunk.com.

For further information contact:

Ryan Dembinsky for Mason Jar Records at ryan @ masonjarrecords.com

Chris Sell for Steez at  booking @ creepfunk.com

{ o )==#