New Year’s Eve Celebration with stephaniesĭd & Jon Stickley Trio at Isis on Dec 31, 2015

New Year’s Eve Celebration with stephaniesĭd & Jon Stickley Trio
at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall on Dec 31, 2015

Dinner and Show will be an 8pm seating and includes a four course dinner, champagne toast and an evening of entertainment

Jon Stickley Trio at 9pm | stephaniesĭd at 10:30pm
$55 Dinner Only :: 6pm seating (three course dinner)
$75 Dinner and Show :: 8pm seating; (four course dinner)
$15 Show Only with doors at 8:30pm (does not include dinner)

More info, full menu and ticketing info at → www.isisasheville.com/events/new-years-eve-celebration-with-stephaniesid-the-jon-stickley-trio/

ASHEVILLE —  Isis Music Restaurant and Music Hall is happy to announce a New Year’s Eve Celebration with stephaniesid and Jon Stickley Trio on Thursday, December 31, 2015. Isis is located at 743 Haywood Rd  Asheville NC 28806.

Join 7-time “Best Pop/Rock” (Mountain Xpress) band winners stephaniesĭd, and their cadre of stellar guest musicians, back for the third New Year’s Eve on the Isis Restaurant & Music Hall main stage! Their show is a celebration in the deepest sense… a journey… a battle with obstacles… a gut-wrenching soul plea… and ultimately, a groovy party for the world’s heart.

stephaniesĭd will be joined by the Jon Stickley Trio, who’s been making waves with their new album Lost at Last. The New York Times’ Nate Chinen writes “… there’s hardy cohesion among the players — no less on the Gypsy standard ‘Valse de Wasso’ than on ‘Darth Radar’ a turbocharged original with a ska upbeat and a shredding melody. And when Mr. Stickley and friends turn to bluegrass, as on ‘The High Road,’ by Tim O’Brien, they sound both respectful and free.”

This will be a standing show with limited number of seats in the music hall, RSVP needed. The dinner and show will be an 8pm seating and includes a four course dinner, champagne toast and an evening of entertainment. General tickets are also available with doors at 8:30pm (does not include dinner). For those that do reserve their seats for dinner, the Isis New Year’s Eve menu includes Baked Oysters, Pork Belly, or Seared Sushi Tuna Ceviche, along with Lobster Bisque or Pickled Beet and Citrus Salad, as well as Pork Roulade, Filet Medallion, Sunburst Farms Trout, or Root Vegetable Poutine. The fourth course includes Champagne Mousse Verrines or Chocolate Tres Leches. For Dinner only or Dinner / Show Tickets ~ You must call Isis (828-575-2737) for reservations. “Show Only” Tickets may be purchased online. See link for menu for NYE Dinner.

More about stephaniesĭd:

The ĭd (pronounced like “kid”) is the real person, under the armor. It’s the inner wild being, the emotional mercury, the soft tissue, the genuine human. 

stephaniesĭd is a band working to excavate it.

The singer is Stephanie Morgan, a “female Jim Morrison at a ballet class” (The Asheville Disclaimer); her voice is equal parts child, smoke, cabaret coquette, and “Bjorklike panache” (Bonnaroo Beacon). The band’s “sharp writing” (World Cafe, NPR) ranges from belting soul to dream-pop to jazzish, making full use of band members’ varied musical backgrounds, “always with a childlike wink and skip” (The Big Takeover).

stephaniesĭd acknowledges the struggle within each human being to connect with other people, authentically and vulnerably, and attempts to make music that conjures the ability to do so. The songs unabashedly mine for light, ranging from deftly focused, emotionally-charged journeys to infectious dance tunes, braving the dark passages along with the audience, busting out improvisation to connect larger pieces of the story, and never missing the chance to revel in utter joy. “How far this music will go seems dependent on whether people are willing to expand their own horizons.” writes AW Music, Canada.

Stephanie Morgan is a former gymnast and dancer born in Iowa and raised in Colorado and West Texas. Chuck Lichtenberger (keyboards) is a seasoned jazzer, masterful and improvisational on the keys, toggling equal nods to faves Ahmad Jamal and Van Halen. Tim Haney (drums) is a rocker. He’s Irish, loud, and proud, he cusses like a sailor and he knows how to leave space to frame a melody. He’s everyone’s favorite brother.

stephaniesĭd songs have appeared on Showtime’s Nurse Jackie, The Weather Channel, in an award-winning short film called “The Red Helmet”, filmed in Switzerland and traveling the world with the Banff Film Festival; in a Cesare Paciotti Italian jewelry commercial with supermodels, and in a Sony PlayStation’s horror game Until Dawn.  The band has been covered in Paste, Bust, Blurt, Shuffle, Billboard, Southeast Performer, The Bonnaroo Beacon, and other magazines. and was also chosen by Shirley Manson in a contest for Bust magazine. “Cinematic” won an award in the International Songwriting Competition. Stephanie has received numerous Regional Artists Grants from the arts council Songs have spun on Philadelphia’s WXPN, NYC’s WFUV, NPR’s World Cafe, and many other college and AAA radio stations.

What does it feel like to be at a stephaniesid show? Watch this video and find out → www.youtube.com/watch?v=URi6YGqhJkM

For more information, please visit www.stephaniesid.com.

More about Jon Stickley Trio:

Jon Stickley Trio independently released Lost at Last, their 2nd album, on October 6, 2015. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop, Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of Lyndsay Pruett (Futureman) on violin set over the deep groove of Patrick Armitage (Atmosphere) on drums. The three have fused their collective styles into a repertoire of exciting and innovative original music along with some captivating covers.

Lost at Last was recorded in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC at the iconic Echo Mountain Studios under the watchful eye of producer Dave King (The Bad Plus). While recording the album, King referred to the band’s imaginative sound as “this whole other thing.” King’s creative energy and inspired musical approach led the band deeper and deeper into the heart of their musical consciousness, which led to the solidification of their musical identity.

“Working with our producer Dave King was a life changing experience for us all,” says Stickley. “He is an intense, master musician, but also a hilarious, life-loving, positive, HEAVY, ‘unimpeachable’, inspiring dude! He helped us find ourselves, and his mark on the album is undeniable.” Jon goes on to say, “We succeeded in capturing a lot of spontaneous energy.”

“Jon Stickley is a guitarist based in Asheville, N.C., and rooted in the flatpicking bluegrass tradition, the quicksilver dialect of Tony Rice and Norman Blake. But in the Jon Stickley Trio, with the fiddler Lyndsay Pruett and the drummer Patrick Armitage, he also bounces around in Gypsy jazz, folk-punk and jam-band territory, tracing a fidgety continuity of style.” –The New York Times, Nate Chinen

“With Lost at Last, the Jon Stickley Trio combine the ethos of a newgrass power trio with the energy and dynamics of a runaway train. Stickley’s powerful flatpicking gathers influences from the greats such as Tony Rice, but also allows for other, more modern, sounds to creep in. ‘Darth Radar’ is a rapid-fire take that moves from a serious ska beat to burning surf-style runs that would make Dick Dale proud.” —Stream Darth Radar at Premier Guitar, Jason Shadrick

“Asheville has a force to be reckoned with in the tight three-piece perfection of the Jon Stickley Trio. It’s pretty incredible how closely the three play with their unique blend of Appalachian, jazz, maybe even prog-rock styles.” –Martin Anderson, Music Director & Host at WNCW

“This is very very cool music. Jon’s ideas on the acoustic guitar are the freshest of the fresh. Lost at Last is rated BA: Bad. Ass.” –Larry Keel, Guitar Legend & Master Fisherman

“Blending elements of traditional, fast paced bluegrass with sultry backings in jazz and raging hip hop beats, Lost at Last is an album not to be missed.” –Performer Mag, Kate Dennis-Skillings

For more information, please visit www.jonstickley.com.

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Lingua Musica interviews with stephaniesid!

Lingua Musica interviews with stephaniesid!

Kelly Denson with Lush Life Today talks with Stephanie Morgan, Chuck Lichtenberger and Tim Haney of Stephaniesid at Tony Preston’s studio in Asheville in November 2011. The band talks about their “pop noir” sound and new record, Starfruit, their upcoming trip to Europe, being influenced by Holly Palmer when she played at Be Here Now, the dynamics of their music and more. Tony Preston filmed and edited this video which is copyright Luminescence 2011.

http://www.stephaniesid.com/
http://amrmediaproductions.com/
http://www.lushlifetoday.com/
http://linguamusicalive.com/

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New Music Video from Stephaniesid “Cinematic”

Official video for “Cinematic” from the 2011 Stephaniesid album entitled “Starfruit” which  releases on October 18th.

This video was shot in an undisclosed location in Asheville, NC by Paul Chelmis, Jesse Hamm, Lisa Jourdan, and Cody Wright. It was edited by Stephanie Morgan.

“Cinematic” Official Video (Stephaniesid) from Stephanie Morgan on Vimeo.

Asheville, NC band Stephaniesid return with their sparkling, new pop gem Starfruit, cementing their status as one of the region’s most ambitious, innovative, and influential bands.

In the downtime since their last record, lead singer Stephanie Morgan formed a local songwriter’s group to help spur her creativity.

She began recording the songs that emerged from these sessions, and posting them online for fans. This collection of singles formed the nucleus for Starfruit, and the rest of the band joined her over the course of many months to record more material in the home she shares with husband/co-bandleader Chuck Lichtenberg.

As a result, Starfruit has a much looser, more organic feel than the band’s first three full-lengths, while retaining the band’s penchant for intricate arrangements, unusual textures, and virtuosic playing. The sprawling 14-track effort touches on all of the band’s many influences, even including a faithful cover of Dream Academy’s hit “Life In A Northern Town,” and a cheeky reworking of the Laverne & Shirley theme song.

BACKGROUND:
Stephaniesid quickly became a local powerhouse with their debut Spiral In (2005). The band was signed by Nine Mile Records in 2007 and released Grus Americanus, a record that NPR’s Robin Hilton described as “A mesmerizing mix of songs that can be hushed and calm one moment, and then suddenly dark and explosive the next.” Grus also spawned singles which appeared on HBO’s “Nurse Jackie,” the award-winning short film “The Red Helmet,” and numerous compilations.

In 2008, the band performed at Bonnaroo, and was reviewed in The Bonnaroo Beacon: “…a rather transcendent set …the band was different, melodic, quirky, and just plain good…. A sleeper act which hit the mark with an almost Bjork-like panache.”

2009’s Warm People garnered more national attention for the band, with plays on NPR’s “World Cafe” (“Sharp writing!” exclaims David Dye), and glowing reviews in Blurt, Billboard, and Big Takeover. By 2010, Stephaniesid had been named “Best Rock Band” in Asheville in the (weekly paper) Mountain Xpress poll 4 years in a row.

Touring in support of “Starfruit” are Steph (vox, guitar, synth), Chuck (keyboards, vox), Maine-born Tim Haney (drums), and former NYC horn players Justin Ray and Jacob Rodriguez, with Matthew Richmond (vibraphone) and Jonathan Pearlman (guitar) also appearing on shows in the Southeast.

Find out more about the band at stephaniesid.com

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Stephaniesid, Noir-Pop Band, Releases “Starfruit” October 18th through Nine Mile Records

Asheville, NC band Stephaniesid return with their sparkling, new pop gem Starfruit, cementing their status as one of the region’s most ambitious, innovative, and influential bands.In the downtime since their last record, lead singer Stephanie Morgan formed a local songwriter’s group to help spur her creativity.

She began recording the songs that emerged from these sessions, and posting them online for fans. This collection of singles formed the nucleus for Starfruit, and the rest of the band joined her over the course of many months to record more material in the home she shares with husband/co-bandleader Chuck Lichtenberg.

As a result, Starfruit has a much looser, more organic feel than the band’s first three full-lengths, while retaining the band’s penchant for intricate arrangements, unusual textures, and virtuosic playing. The sprawling 14-track effort touches on all of the band’s many influences, even including a faithful cover of Dream Academy’s hit “Life In A Northern Town,” and a cheeky reworking of the Laverne & Shirley theme song.

BACKGROUND:
Stephaniesid quickly became a local powerhouse with their debut Spiral In (2005). The band was signed by Nine Mile Records in 2007 and released Grus Americanus, a record that NPR’s Robin Hilton described as “A mesmerizing mix of songs that can be hushed and calm one moment, and then suddenly dark and explosive the next.” Grus also spawned singles which appeared on HBO’s “Nurse Jackie,” the award-winning short film “The Red Helmet,” and numerous compilations.

In 2008, the band performed at Bonnaroo, and was reviewed in The Bonnaroo Beacon: “…a rather transcendent set …the band was different, melodic, quirky, and just plain good…. A sleeper act which hit the mark with an almost Bjork-like panache.”

2009’s Warm People garnered more national attention for the band, with plays on NPR’s “World Cafe” (“Sharp writing!” exclaims David Dye), and glowing reviews in Blurt, Billboard, and Big Takeover. By 2010, Stephaniesid had been named “Best Rock Band” in Asheville in the (weekly paper) Mountain Xpress poll 4 years in a row.

Touring in support of “Starfruit” are Steph (vox, guitar, synth), Chuck (keyboards, vox), Maine-born Tim Haney (drums), and former NYC horn players Justin Ray and Jacob Rodriguez, with Matthew Richmond (vibraphone) and Jonathan Pearlman (guitar) also appearing on shows in the Southeast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“This looks happy, but the music hits much deeper. Stephanie Morgan’s vocals [move] delicately between The Sugarcubes and The Sundays, but always with a childlike wink and skip…. Sometimes the band evinces a sadness that lives in the world, but there is always an answer of music and joy to bring light out of every possible shadow.” –Marcel Feldmar, The Big Takeover Magazine

“The songs move from intimate to anthemic… effortlessly poetic letters…acute insights … shimmering synth hooks and smoothly shifting melodic textures… difficult to classify but easy to love.” –Wayne Robins, Billboard Magazine

“This is world-class music, period. No labels necessary.” –Fred Mills, Blurt Magazine

ARTIST: Stephaniesid
TITLE: Starfruit
CATALOG NUMBER: NMR 0123
RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2011
FOCUS TRACKS: #1 Closer, #4 I Like It,
#5 Cinematic, #7 Life In A Northern Town
BEST MARKETS: Asheville, NC, Charlotte, NC,
Atlanta, GA, Cincinnati, OH, Greenville, SC

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LAAFF’in in 2011– 10 Year Anniversary for this All Asheville Free Street Festival!

The 10th annual LAAFF is right around the corner in Downtown Asheville on Labor Day Weekend Sept 3-4th on Lexington Ave. 

A handful of Dreamspider bands and friends are performing at the Fest:

• Stephaniesid is doing their CD release at their show on Saturday Sept 3d at 7:30 on the main stage.
• Galen Kipar Project plays on Sunday 2:45-3:30 pm on the main stage
• Jonathan Scales Fourchestra on Sunday 5:45-6:30pm on the Mai Stage
• Spork! on Sunday 1:15-2pm on the Main stage

Also, be sure to check out 23 Skidoo & The Family Band (Sat 11am Main Stage), Santos (Sat. 1pm bobo stage) , Paper Tiger (Sat 3:15 Main Stage), Vertigo Jazz Project (Sat 4:15 Main Stage), The Secret B-Sides (Sun 6pm bobo stage), Lotion (Sun 2:30-3:10 Mountain Xpress Walnut Stage), GFE (Sun 8:15 MX WaLnut Stage), Ten Cent Poetry (Sun 11:45- 12:30 Main Stage), Jeff Santiago y Los Gatos Negros (Sun 1:45- 2:30 main stage), Zansa (Sun 6:30-7:15 Main Stage), Moses Atwood Band (Sun 4:45-5:30 main Stage) and lots of oither great stuff.

For the full schedule and lots more fantastic Asheville bands check out the Mountain Xpress: http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2011/083111laaff-bandsschedule#.Tl-jfWoglIE

The Xpress also did this wonderful interview with Stephaniesid about their album release:

The new Stephaniesid album, Starfruit — despite its name-association with things tropical and celestial — was conceived in a dark basement. “A universe leapt out of the grayness,” says front woman Stephanie Morgan.

An advance listen of the album reveals lush pop, layered vocals, rich horn parts and a certain velvety darkness (perhaps it’s the snarl of baritone sax or echoes of reverb ). But even through an edge of bitterness (despite dance beats and bells, the track “Starf—ker” is not without teeth), the record is backlit by undeniable sparkle.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE:http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2011/083111ripe-for-the-picking#.Tl-m_WoglIE

LAAFF is not only a music festival, it is also a arts and fun festival.. So be sure to wander around and stumble into many other fabulously freaky things that will happen both day! Here are some fantactic pics of last years LAAFF by local Photographer Lissy Whelan with Bright Life Photography:

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Videos Posted from September’s Lingua Musica: Music Biz 101 & Great Concerts

Videos are up from the World Premier of Lingua Musica which was held at the White Horse in Black Mtn on Sept 29th!! WNCW midday host Joe Kendrick hosts the show, which showcases a rotating cast of musicians, music journalists, and industry professionals as panelists who talk about music news, history, and culture while inviting the audience to take part.

September 29th panelists included musician Stephanie Morgan of Stephanie’s Id; multipercussionist, composer and educator River Guerguerian; and  Blurt Magazine music editor Fred Mills. Topics were “Music Business 101” & “Great Concerts”.  The featured band for the eve was Grammer School.

Many thanks to John L Watson IV for filming and editing the shows.

For more info visit www.linguamusicalive.com.

You can find Lingua Musica on Twitter at twitter.com/linguamusica and use the Hashtag #LinguaMusica

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Lingua Musica’s World Premier at the White Horse in Black Mtn on Sept 29th! Grammer School, Stephanie Morgan, River Guerguerian, Fred Mills & More

Lingua Musica
Wednesday September 29th, 2010
White Horse Black Mountain

discussions for the eve: “Music Business 101” & “Great Concerts”
House band for the eve is Grammer School
7pm, $7
828-669-0816
105C Montreat Road
Black Mountain, NC

www.linguamusicalive.com

www.whitehorseblackmountain.com

(Black Mountain, NC) Lingua Musica is the first live music talk show to bring online viewers into the conversation with a live studio audience in Western North Carolina. Lingua Musica streams live online from the White Horse in Black Mountain on Wednesday, September 29th at 7pm at www.linguamusicalive.com.

WNCW midday host Joe Kendrick hosts the show, which showcases a rotating cast of musicians, music journalists, and industry professionals as panelists who talk about music news, history, and culture while inviting the audience to take part. Kendrick has produced the music-based talk show “What It Is” weekdays on WNCW since October 2007. Lingua Musica is ran independently by Kendrick and few others in the community. The pilot show was held August 12th.

Lingua Musica streams live to the internet and takes viewer comments on its website as well as through twitter. The roundtable of panelists are able to respond to the online audience, creating a continuous loop of conversation that connects the “live” audience with the virtual audience. Shows will be archived for a social network of registered users who are passionate about live music and conversation.

The show is an hour long, with two conversations on the topics followed by music from the Lingua Musica house band. The September 29th musical guest is Asheville, NC trio Grammer School. Grammer School was one of the finalists to perform at WNC Magazine’s Orange Peel contest for the “Last Band Standing”. Check out a video of them:

September 29th panelists include:

* musician Stephanie Morgan of Stephanie’s Id
* multipercussionist, composer and educator River Guerguerian
* Blurt Magazine music editor Fred Mills

The show features three to four panelists at a time as they rotate on and off stage for each topic of conversation.The September 29th show includes the following topics:

1. “Music Business 101” A look at the industry from all angles, Lingua Musica tackles how to make a living in music and how music lovers can help their favorite artists, venues and labels in the process.

2. “Great Concerts” We invite everyone to share their favorite concert memories and cautionary tales in this conversation about everything from the great shows we missed to house parties and everything in between.

Please join us for the World Premier of Lingua Musica for an evening of music and conversation!

You can find Lingua Musica on Twitter at twitter.com/linguamusica. Also find them on facebook  by clicking the photo from the August 12th pilot show below:

River makes some great points on what he would do with the musical magic wand

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