Zooniversity
In the countless ways college differs from high school, perhaps the biggest change is the sudden nonexistence of the ""cool kids."" Especially at a school as big as UW-Madison, where unless you're John Clay, chances are most of your peers don't know you exist.
That was until Zooniversity came to be. Once ""The Coastie Song"" hit the airwaves, there were suddenly two big men on campus, two guys who took the essence of what it means to be a Badger and put it into song, two guys named Quincy and Beef.
The UW celebrities met in their fraternity house. When he overheard Quincy making a beat in his room one evening, Beef walked in and explained he was an experienced song writer. It didn't take long for the two to realize it was worth combining their skills, and two days later, ""The Coastie Song"" was born.
Although their music is Madison-centric, Zooniversity has branched beyond the Wisconsin border. University of Illinois' student radio station plays ""Teach Me How to Bucky,"" which is a little odd considering the song blatantly calls the university less cool than UW, but the band isn't complaining. Why would they? They're looking to get their names out there.
With ""Teach Me How to Bucky"" came more recognition than ""The Coastie Song"" or ""My Biddy"" had every brought them. From the apparel to the constant interviews to the prospective students they're drawing into UW-Madison, Zooniversity is a whole new band because of the song.
The group is currently focused on creating their new mixtape, but to satiate fans in the meantime, the duo has started up Zooday Tuesdays, a weekly video update on the group's recent ventures. A look into Quincy's and Beef's lives will undoubtedly only increase anticipation for more music from Zooniversity.
––Jacqueline O'Reilly
steez
To define the band steez in one word, ""creepfunk"" would be sufficient. That is the title the band gives their style: one that fuses rock, funk, jam and electronica. Their unique style and 2009 album, Creepfunk Crusade, as well as their high-energy, improv-based shows have put steez on the national map. Creepfunk Crusade was nominated for Home Grown Music Network's Album of the Year, as well as being featured in Relix magazine.
In an interview with The Daily Cardinal, steez discussed the Madison music scene and what it is that keeps them here. They said it is a great city, filled with thousands of college kids devoted to the jam music scene.
Steez have a huge following, evidenced by the big crowds that turned up at last year's Mustache Bash, a show in which students get down and let loose before finals. This year's Mustache Bash is set to take place at Majestic Theatre Dec. 10.
Steez also said being a Madison-based band is unique in that every four years there is a totally new group of fans thanks to graduation. To counter this problem, steez try to play as many shows at the Memorial Union
Terrace as possible to promote their music to new ears.
In addition to playing around Madison, however, steez has preformed at well-known music festivals such as Rothbury and Summercamp, as well as hosting official after-parties for Umphrey's McGee concerts. If you're into jam and electronic music, chances are you already know who steez are. And if you don't yet, you really ought to check out this Creepfunk Crusade.
––Nick Cusatis
Sexy Ester and the Pretty Mama Sisters
Sexy Ester and the Pretty Mama Sisters was born and bred about an
hour north of our fair city, making them a truly local band.
Comprised of husband and wife Adam Eder and Lyndsay Evans, on
guitar and vocals respectively as well as Evans' brother Roscoe on
keyboard, Eder's cousin Dusty Hay on drums and their childhood
friend Brad Schubert on bass, this family affair blends whatever
pops into their head into catchy, danceable songs.
When asked why they've stayed in Madison, Lyndsay put it very
simply: ""I heart Madison,"" she said while making a heart shape
over her chest. Adam was a little more articulate in expressing his
love. ""It's got a certain comfort level for us,"" he said, ""it's
like a really big small town.""
With no association with the university other than proximity, Sexy
Ester is a great addition to the local music scene. Offering a
perspective different from that of the student population, they
provide an interesting contrast to their local contemporaries.
While Minneapolis and Chicago might be bigger Midwest music
hotbeds, Lyndsay Evans explained the convenience of staying put in
Madison. ""In Madison we're right in the middle,"" she said. ""We
can go to Chicago and the Twin Cities and Milwaukee and Iowa City.
So we can go to those places and still live in the city [we]
love.""
A chance to see Sexy Ester and the Pretty Mama Sisters and partake
in their unique blend of styles is rapidly approaching. The band
will celebrate the release of their
latest EP, Hubba Bubba, Dec. 3 at the Frequency. Playing
one of their favorite venues in town, with other local bands
The Choons and The Nod, the evening will be jam-packed with local
talent.
—Jeremy Gartze
Ida Jo and the Show
Ida Jo is a talented local artist who has had a passion for music since she was young. Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, Jo attended UW-Madison and graduated in 2009 with a degree in violin performance. She chose to attend Wisconsin because of its prestigious music program and was proud to study with Felicia Moye and other renowned music performance professors. While at UW, she took advantage of the many musical opportunities on campus and was a member of the female vocal jazz group Tangled Up In Blue.
Jo has stayed in Madison to further pursue her music career. Madison is a very creative place where many bands and artists are working hard to make a name for themselves, and Jo has enjoyed becoming a part of the local music scene. She explained that it has taken a lot work and persistence to be successful, but that the effort is definitely worth it. From 2007 to 2010, Jo was a member of the band Mike Droho and the Compass Rose, and has recently started her own band named Ida Jo and The Show.
Jo was excited to promote her first solo album, Providence, which showcases her impressive violin skills and her soulful vocals. The first track of the album, ""Colors,"" is one of her most popular songs. However, Ida's favorite is ""Providence,"" a song that was actually written in one of the Humanities Building practice rooms.
Drawing inspiration from '60s artists such as Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, as well as more recent female artists like Jewel and Sarah McGlaughlan, Jo's style consists of a mix of folk, rock and pop. The music she has created and performed with Ida Jo and The Show reflect that range of influences.
—Erin Shannon
Phonetic ONE
Every artist has an inspiration, a signature tone and a desire to
stand out. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Andrew Thomas has
established his identity by doing just those things. As the son of
a disc jockey and break dancer and the grandson of an established
painter, Thomas understands the importance of expression through
the arts, having been exposed to it his entire life. Thomas values
every emotion's importance, and seeks to identify with his audience
by tapping into those emotions through his writing and rapping.
Specifically, Thomas said he is able to relate with his listeners
with a focus on ""day to day life, [be it] sad, happy or
frustrated."" In each rap, Thomas tries to ""share experiences and
connect with others.""
But Thomas, who performs with three UW-Madison student musicians as
Phonetic ONE, doesn't sit down trying to recall emotions when he
writes his music. Instead, he waits for the inspiration of a
moment, and then builds on that one inspiration to create an entire
rap. ""I don't approach it, it approaches me,"" Thomas said about
his unique approach to writing. This attitude may be what separates
him from many of today's artists. He doesn't write to fulfill a
quota or add to a collection––he writes when driven by insight.
Having performed with big names such
as Eyedea, Heiruspecs and Doomtree, Thomas continues to develop his
identity as an artist. Recalling the Mifflin Street Block Party
last spring, Thomas expresses his success in the Madison area. ""I
had the flu but still went on, and the Phonetic ONE received a lot
of good feedback and energy,"" he said. Though he doesn't know how
long his career as a rapper will last, Thomas plans to study
theatre to continue expressing himself through the arts.
––Elizabeth Gaggioli
