CEA
AWARD WINNER 
|
| bluegrass
/ country |
Ed
Cunningham
The Roots music scene’s most prolific artist, Ed Cunningham
is the founder of the Comet Bluegrass Allstars, Ohio Valley
Rounders and New Radio Cowboys. In 2003, Cunningham and some
local music pals released a collection of British Isle Folk
songs, Ancient Tones and Death Knells: Broadside Ballads,
under the name the High Strange Drifters.
WebSite |
The
Sidecars
The Sidecars drive an authentic, acoustic Americana sound that’s
fueled by Bluegrass, Western Swing and even a touch of Jazz.
Stay All Night is the seven-piece band’s debut CD release.
Website |
 Dallas
Moore
Hard livin’ and hard workin’ Dallas Moore and
his band The Snatch Wranglers offer a gritty rockin’
sound, while relentless touring and local appearances have
made him one of the key forces in the modern “Outlaw
Country” movement. Website
|
Ma
Crow
One of the area’s most beloved Bluegrass voices belongs
to Ma Crow, a staple on the local Roots front. Her soulful
vocal presence has guided bands like Ma Crow and the Flock
and the Ma Crow Medicine Show over the years. |
| folk |
| Jake
Speed and the Freddies The
2002 CEA Artist of the Year, Woody Guthrie-style troubadour
Jake Speed (and his band) spent this year working on the recently
released CD, The Cincinnati Legends of Jeremiah Schmidt, featuring
songs of Cincinnati lore. Website |
Kim
Taylor
Lilting, ethereal Pop with a folksy slant, Kim Taylor (2002
New Artist CEA winner) has built a devoted, ever-growing fanbase
via regional touring and her mesmerizing debut album, So Black
So Bright.
Website |
| Len’s
Lounge
In their over 10-year service, singer/songwriter Jeff Roberson
and his band have become a guiding light on the local Americana
scene with an edgy blend of Folk, Rock and Country. Website |
Wild
Carrot
The critically lauded, award-winning Folk duo of Pamela Temple
and Spencer Funk spent 2003 supporting their sophomore release,
Hope. A Folk festival favorite around the country, Wild Carrot
is driven by solid songwriting and musical ability in a traditional
Folk setting. Website |
| world
music |
Mohenjo
Daro
For years now, Mohenjo Daro has been Cincinnati’s source
for World Fusion, using Western methods to blend elements of
Hindunistic Raga, Arabic Dance and North African Trance, among
other things. The trio’s latest album, Baksheesh, was
released on the Canadian label Tandem Records. Website |
Tropicoso
One of the area’s favorite dance bands, Tropicoso has
been heating up audiences in town for the past four years with
their energetic take on Latin music, which includes Salsa, Mergengue
and other worldly sounds.
Website |
Chris
Dunnett
Guitarist Chris Dunnett’s debut CD, El Samuraichi, was
a Flamenco-based gem, with excursions into other genres. On
his 2003 album, Higher Glyphics, he gets even more diverse,
journeying into Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Bossa Nova sounds.
Website |
Nancy
Bick Clark
An accomplished Newport-based Celtic harpist, Nancy Bick Clark
has won awards from various harp competitions around the country.
This past summer, she was a special guest of Celtic masters
The Chieftains, joining them onstage at Riverbend. |
| rock |
The
Greenhornes
The deft Garage Rock/R&B sound of
The Greenhornes won even more international critical acclaim
in 2003, riding the wave of success spawned by their most recent
CD, Dual Mono.
Website |
Thee Shams
Psychedelic Rock steeped in ’60s
tradition, Thee Shams are rising stars on the national Garage
Rock scene, with releases on popular labels like Orange, Telstar
and Norton Records. The band also builds the Shams Army with
a steady touring schedule around the U.S.
Website |
| The
Stapletons
These brothers in Rock have been popular locally since releasing
their debut record in 2000. Roots Rock with a Pop slant, The
Stapletons worked their third-full length CD, Low Dealers
… and Hangers On (released in late 2002), with gigs
across the right half of the Country. Website |
Spindle
Gas up the van and go — that’s the philosophy of
these up-and-comers (well, actually it’s an RV). Spindle
has played with the likes of The Alkaline Trio, Brand New and
Psychedelic Furs around the country and drawn industry attention
with their radio-ready, hook-laden Rock sound. Website |
| hard
rock / metal |
Jackass
Jackass is a heavy, powerful and debauched quartet consisting
of four local music scene vets. Donkey Style, their ass-kicking
debut, was released this year. Metal riffs, lap steel and humor
… oh my! Website |
Existential
Dilemma
Hardcore but with an artful, ambient edge, ED’s 2003 release,
Winston Crokus, is an uninhibited, cathartic audio blood-letting
made all the more intriguing by the band’s use of electronic
atmospherics.
Website |
Croatan
Metallic and punkish, this frequently touring duo has been working
the national underground circuit for over a decade now. The
group has worked with cult hero Kramer (of Bongwater/Shimmy
Disc fame) and released material on Man’s Ruin, the label
of Rock poster-art God Frank Kozik. Website |
Burnside
6
Formed in 1997 by members of various Cincinnati acts, Burnside
6’s heavy sound has made them a local Metal fave. With
low-end heavy rhythms, lacerating guitar and vocals influenced
by everything from Deftones to Cypress Hill, B6 released their
debut album in 2001.
Website |
| singer
/ songwriter |
| Jason
Ludwig
Most who see Jason Ludwing in concert usually end up raving
about his powerful songwriting and performance skills. He
released the jaw-dropping Pell Mell in 2003 and tapped the
Black and Tan Carpet Band to become his group, Noctaluca.
Website |
Kim
Taylor
Lilting, ethereal Pop with a folksy slant, Kim Taylor (2002
New Artist CEA winner) has built a devoted, ever-growing fanbase
via regional touring and her mesmerizing debut album, So Black
So Bright.
Website |
Eric Diedrichs
Taking a less linear, more textural songwriting approach than
his work with the now-defunct Simpletons, singer/songwriter
Eric Diedrichs formed Cari Clara, first as an alter-ego and
then as a full band featuring six fellow local scene heavyweights.
Website |
Mike
Detmer
Singer/songwriter Mike Detmer released New Equations for the
Simple Mind through Philly label Ionik under the name The
Spectacular Fantastic. He mixes Indie Pop with Roots Rock,
Folk and even Country motifs, plus the occasional psychedelic
tinge when the mood strikes.
Website |
| alternative
/ indie |
The
Sundresses
One of the brightest new hopes on local Indie Rock scene, the
Sundresses’ debut release, The Only Tourist in Town, mixes
dirty-garage swagger and deconstructed Blues and Jazz guitar
boogie within an appropriately raw setting.
Website |
Mallory
Near the end of 2002, this popular, adventurous act released
The First One Hundred Years, a kaleidoscopic assortment of ambient
sounds, churning Post-Punk rhythms, wild-eyed guitar interplay
and engaging arrangements and compositions. Website |
Thistle
Pimping melodic, guitar-driven Rock for nine years now, Thistle
reached a creative peak with this year’s Tired Anchor.
Truly “Indie” — as in “independent”
— the trio operates its own label, Tiberius Records, and
diligently supports their releases with radio/press promotion
and old-fashioned touring. Website |
The
Giant Judys
Though they’d passed around free copies for several months,
these newcomers “officially” released their debut
album (with stunning artwork and crisper production) this year,
highlighted by their undeniable, addictive brand of dexterous
Indie Pop. |
| punk |
Death
In Graceland
Death In Graceland is built — directly or not —
on the Punk-Before-It-Had-a-Name Rock of The Stooges, MC5 and
the Dead Boys. Energized live shows and their CD Come On, Touch
Me have led to widespread touring.
Website |
The
Socials
The raw buzz of Narrow Minded Entertainment for a Close Minded
America instantly conjures images of ’70s prototypical
Grrrl Punk icons like The Slits, Poly Styrene and maybe even
The Raincoats. It’s The Socials’ first release,
collecting earlier demo recordings. |
Harley
Quin
This year’s I’ve Got a Bad Feeling About This, Harley
Quin’s debut CD, showcases the young and talented Punk
Pop trio’s musicianship and energy. The band did a five-week
tour earlier in the year in support.
Website |
Bottom
Line
Big in Japan and relentless tour dogs (including several stints
on past Van’s Warped Tours), Pop/Punk masters Bottom
Line are the flagship band of local label Nice Guy Records.
The group’s debut long-player, In and Out of Luck, was
released in 2002.
Website |
| blues |
Pearlene
Blues deconstructionists Pearlene are big on the local Indie
Rock scene, and national audiences have taken note as well,
with the release of not one but two widely distributed CDs.
Their most recent album, Murder Blues and Prayer, came out on
Dim Mak Records.
Website |
46
Long
46 Long consists of singer/guitarist Jonathan Reynolds and singer/harmonica-ist
Blake Taylor, both somewhat new to the Cincinnati music front.
Their 2003 CD, Savor Every Second, packs passion and heart in
a simple yet effective “semi-acoustic” setting.
Website |
Natalie
Wells
While female roles in the Blues are often limited to vocalists,
Northern Kentucky native Natalie Wells struts her stuff on guitar.
The 20-year-old sings, too, fronting her self-titled band at
clubs around the area on a regular basis. Website |
Sonny
Moorman
Masterful and dynamic, singer/guitarist Sonny Moorman is a
perennial Cincinnati Blues favorite. Whether tackling a powerful
Blues/Rock number or bringing it organic with the acoustic
guitar, Moorman’s music has garnered accolades from
the national Blues community.
Website |
| r&b
/ funk |
Freekbass
Funk served up Cincy style, with the blessing/mentorship of
local P-Funk legend Bootsy Collins. Freekbass — the man,
singing/bass playing Chris Sherman, and the eponymous band —
have a new album, The Air Is Fresher Underground, out this fall.
Website |
Black and Tan Carpet Band
Though greatly influenced by the Rock classics, Black and
Tan Carpet Band’s music is steeped in the deep groove
of organic Funk. The band became the backup for singer/songwriter
Jason Ludwig this year, but they still find time to squeeze
in the occasional gig. Dirty Mama is their latest release.
Website |
Ricky
Nye and the Swingin’ Mudbugs
Nye’s rolling, piano-based R&B boogie brings N’awlins
to the ’Nati. In 2003, Nye released Quick ’N Dirty,
and he hosts his fifth annual Blues and Boogie Piano Summit
(featuring like-minded acts from around the world) once again
at the Southgate House Nov. 8. Website |
Four
Track Allstars
Longtime Freekbass co-hort and multi-instrumentalist J heads
up this Acid Jazz party, featuring a rotating staff of top-notch
local performers. Named after the origins of most of his recordings
(a 4-track recording unit), the Allstars self-titled debut was
released on Gemini Records in 2002.
Website |
| jazz |
William
Menefield
With a résumé that any artist twice his age would
envy, pianist William Menefield made his already-accomplished-sounding
recorded debut, Big Will Leaps In, at the age of 18. He’s
played on countless sessions, remained involved in community
events and recently released his sophomore effort, Will’s
Revenge. |
Brian
Newman
Another “young lion” on the local scene, Brian Newman
stays busy with local club gigs, playing often with his own
quartet. A Cleveland native and CCM grad, he’s done much
to spotlight young local talent and keep Jazz alive by playing
often for younger audiences. |
Steve
Schmidt
Local session and club vet Steve Schmidt knows his way around
the keyboard. Playing on a variety of local music projects (everything
from Jazz to Pop), he also has a solid following for his self-titled
organ trio and other ensembles. Local Bluegrass great Katie
Laur once called him the “Shakespeare of the piano.” |
Mike
Wade
A regular on the Dayton and Cincinnati circuits, trumpeter Mike
Wade showed his eclecticism with 2001’s Reality, which
mixed together Funk, Jazz, Go Go and Hip Hop. Wade remains one
of the top “go to” guys in area Jazz, and he and
his band were a musical highpoint of last year’s CEA show. |
| hip
hop |
Five
Deez
At once cerebral and good-naturedly playful, Five Deez shuns
gimmickry to tackle Hip Hop as an art form. Co-founder Fat Jon
now resides in Berlin and has collaborated with electronic music
heavyweights. The group’s CD, Kinkynasti, was released
nationally in September. Website |
NSPCREW
Quick-witted and funky, this foursome spits stupid-fresh flow
over crafty beats. The band’s Too Many SUVs CD tackled
everything from sexual proclivities to socially-conscious
revelations to Cincinnati police. NSPCREW spent the summer
playing several dates on the Van’s Warped Tour.
Website |
Animal
Crackers
An army of six turntablists (teamed with a few party-starting
MCs), the Animal Crackers host a weekly Wednesday night showcase
at Top Cat’s in Corryville that’s become the hottest
regular Hip Hop event in town. Wax manipulation at its finest.
Website |
Iswhat?!
Leaving the DAT machine at home, live trio Iswhat?! inventively
mixes human beatboxing, Jazz bass and horn and intellectual
poetics (with various guests helping out with live-drums and
vibes occasionally). The group’s latest CD is You Figure
It Out.
Website |
| new
artist of the year / critical achievement category |
The
Sundresses
One of the brightest new hopes on local Indie Rock scene, the
Sundresses’ debut release, The Only Tourist in Town, mixes
dirty-garage swagger and deconstructed Blues and Jazz guitar
boogie within an appropriately raw setting.
Website |
The
Light Wires
Guided by singer/songwriter Jeremy Pinnell’s
amazing songs, The Light Wires offer a hypnotic dose of transcendent,
heartfelt Roots Rock with Folk, Indie and Pop leanings. A debut
album is in the can, awaiting release on Tiberius Records.
Website |
Cari
Clara
Taking a less linear, more textural songwriting approach than
his work with the now-defunct Simpletons, singer/songwriter
Eric Diedrichs formed Cari Clara, first as an alter-ego and
then as a full band featuring six fellow local scene heavyweights.
Website |
The
Not
Artful, art-school Wave/Punk sounds good to us. The group’s
self-titled debut was recently released on the local Shake It
Records label, and the band was a highlight at this year’s
Contemporary Arts Center opening shindig.
Website |
Morals
Galore
These Northern Kentuckians (musical relatives of Sebadoh, Guided
By Voices or Apples In Stereo) released their debut, Donerail
(named after a notorious Kentucky Derby long-shot) at the back
end of 2002. The Indie Pop quintet knows the power of not only
one good hook per song but a busload scattered throughout. Website |
Wussy
Expanding from an acoustic duo to a full-fledged
band this year, Wussy is highlighted by Chuck Cleaver (also
of the Ass Ponys) and Lisa Miller’s fantastic songs and
voices. Miller joined Cleaver for a version of the Ass Ponys
“Dried Up” at the 2001 CEA show, and they haven’t
looked back since.
Website |
| album
of the year / critical achievement category |
Jason
Ludwig: Pell Mell
Singer/songwriter Jason Ludwig’s
debut album is a masterpiece in its ability to tastefully express
emotion. Its drama is reminiscent of the late musician Jeff
Buckley, but Ludwig’s debut seethes originality.
Website |
Mallory:
The First One Hundred Years
Released late last year, this is a kaleidoscopic assortment
of ambient sounds, churning Post-Punk rhythms, wild-eyed guitar
interplay and engaging arrangements and compositions. Website |
Buckra:
So Many Weapons
Buckra’s sophomore release is the perfect album for the
ADD generation, roaming freely between Hard Rock, Hip Hop, Swing,
AltRock, Latin and Jazz. It’s loaded with amusing lyrics
and a musical playfulness that could bring a smile to the face
of even the most bitter music snob. Website |
Over
the Rhine: Ohio
A sprawling, two-disc set from the Virgin imprint Backporch,
this is a far more expansive journey than any past Over the
Rhine recordings. Their trademark airy atmospherics are intact,
but the little stylistic jumps are what make Ohio most engaging.
Website |
Pearlene:
Murder, Blues and Prayer
Recalling the electric Blues revivalists of ’60s Britain
but taking it to new levels, Pearlene’s 2003 Dim Mak Records
release expertly captures the unbridled passion and energy they
exhibit live. Singer Rueben Glaser leads the show like a swampy
Mick Jagger, but it’s the bass and drums that give Pearlene
its ample “ass.”
Website |
Various
Artists: Hidden Treasures
This disc, picked this year up for national distribution, pays
tribute to Cincinnati’s rich musical history by featuring
an eclectic array of local music luminaries — Blessid
Union of Souls, Sweet Alice Hoskins, The Stapletons and Dallas
Moore, to name a few — covering the hits of Cincy-based
King Records, which sparked the careers of legends like James
Brown and Wynonie Harris, among numerous others. Website |
| artist
of the year / critical achievement category |
Five
Deez
Five Deez co-founder Fat Jon now resides in Berlin and has collaborated
with electronic music heavyweights. The group’s CD, Kinkynasti,
was released nationally in September and stands to shed more
light on Cincy’s burgeoning Hip Hop scene. Website |
Buckra
Buckra released their second album, So Many Weapons, in 2003,
nabbed a Budweiser sponsorship and won a contest to open for
The Donnas and The Goo Dolls in Las Vegas. For this hard-working
band, it could well be just the bottom of the iceberg. Website |
Over
the Rhine
Over the Rhine released the two-disc Ohio (Virgin/Backporch)
this year, the most creative effort yet in the band’s
illustrious career. They might not be on MTV tomorrow, but the
OtR braintrust of multi-instrumentalist Linford Detweiler and
singer Karin Bergquist has more in common with “career
artists” like Neil Young or Tom Petty. Longevity has been
proven and will likely continue for years to come, thanks to
a loving fanbase and working relationship. Website |
Pearlene
Blues deconstructionists Pearlene released two widely-distributed
albums in 2003. Their self-titled debut came out on the Sympathy
for the Records Industry label earlier in the year; their most
recent album, Murder Blues and Prayer, came out on Dim Mak Records
more recently. Touring here and abroad followed.
Website
|
Shesus
Though considered more of a Dayton band, Post Punk crew Shesus’
members reside in both Cincinnati and the Gem City and gig regularly
here in town (when they’re not playing the coasts). The
band’s debut, Shesus Loves You … Loves You Not,
was released on New York-based Narnack Records this year, and
they’ve played with acts like The Breeders, Enon, The
Dirtboms and Guided By Voices. Website |
Messerly
and Ewing
Playing Folk/Rock with a keen
melodic instinct, this long-running
duo had a career couple of years
since their last release, 2001’s
The Last Twelve Hours, winning
“Band of the Year” honors in the
97Xposure contest, first place at
a “demo competition” hosted by
the Grammys organization and
even jamming (on their own song!)
with Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson during his show at Music
Hall last fall. Website |
