Vagabond Swing (Lafayette, LA) created its one-of-a-kind flair with a mix of hot jazz, bluegrass, gypsy swing, and Afrobeat. True to the band’s Louisiana roots, Vagabond Swing’s sound is laden with the richness of New Orleans Ragtime, while incorporating strong Gypsy/Swing, and even Ska/Reggae/Latin rhythms. According to ultoday.com, “Vagabond Swing lies within the creative blending of classic sounds and modern concepts, blending acoustic musical tastes from the past and present.” Along with the music’s fusion of modern and classic genres, the band members themselves bring on a show of high-energy, youthful spunk, which gives the live performance an almost-surprising air of excitement.
The Times of Acadiana writes that Vagabond Swing is “musically complicated and layered with fun, light lyrics.” Vagabond Swing fits into a variety of settings, with performances ranging from music festivals to local events and smaller venues. The band shows its musical variety, as they perform an easy-listening tune like “Daisy and the Vagabond” alongside “Soundtrack to an Untimely Death”—a folk ballad with several movements, a heavy Latin undertone, culminated by a wailing trumpet with a melody that makes it impossible to keep from dancing.
The band is comprised of Jon Stone (mandolin, vocals), Jesse Duplechain (lead guitar), Bryan Webre (rhythm guitar), Hayden Talley (upright bass), Josh LeBlanc (trumpet/percussion), Steven Pilcher (trumpet), and Roy Durand (drums, vocals). The band’s unique vibe can be attributed to the members’ varied musical backgrounds—concentrations in jazz (Duplechain, Webre, Talley, LeBlanc, Pilcher), folk/bluegrass/gypsy (Stone), and even punk/ska (Durand). Each member of the band brings an individual style that makes Vagabond Swing’s hodgepodge of sounds.
Vagabond Swing has played with several renowned musicians, such as: Snarky Puppy (Ropeadope Digital), Honky, Ghostland Observatory (Trashy Moped Recordings), GIVERS, Pork Dukes, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Vermont Joy Parade, Caspian Hat Dance, The Iguanas, Danny Barnes, and Scott Birum. They headlined UL Lafayette’s S.P.E.A.K. and the U.N.O Film Festival and also performed at Gulf Brew Beer Festival and Geronimo Festival. This year, they will also play at the 2011 Festival International de Louisiane. The band has recently recorded their first full-length album with Grammy Award-winning engineer, Tony Daigle.
“I can’t seem to say enough good about [Vagabond Swing]. Their jazz-flecked gypsy music changes tempo and uses some seemingly Afro-Caribbean percussion…definitely one to watch around the Lafayette music scene.” Times of Acadiana
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The 144 ELiTE came together through an eclectic group of higher level thinkers, producers, lyricists, vocalists, musicians, and teachers.
The culmination of the past, present, and future into the perfect blend of musical flavor.
It has been written that “they sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty four thousand who where redeemed from the earth.” Revelations 14:3
The RAP WARS have been declared.
Now the battle ensues.
AgreeAbles vs. DisAgreeAbles.
Whose side are you really on?
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Not one to be un-included, misunderstood or un-heard; JusTice began rapping, at the age of 12. He was a microphone junkie. Soon he formed a group called Deez N.U.T.S. (Niggas Understanding The Shit). Then known as D.N.J.C. (Dat Nigga J.C.),JusTice recorded a independent album under the DSP (Dangerous Smoke Productions) label.
D.N.J.C. with Jones went on to produce and record many projects together; The culmination of their collaboration being the production of the underground classic, “The Making of D.N.J.C.”. JusTice was able to make a name for himself on the rap scene due to the likability of his hit single “Love” and his interactive soul stirring stage presence. His show was like seeing a preacher at church, only this pastor cursed, smoked, drank and told you how it is. What it was; and how it was going to be.
Soon after meeting Dope E , the two began recording tracks together. Dope E is of famed rap/producer duo The Terrorists, who shot into the national and international spotlight with 1991′s Blow Dem Hoes Up from their Bizness Never Personal lp. Dope E put JusTice down with the founder, the wizard, the rap god, K-RINO. He gave the nod to accept JusTice intoSouth Park Coalition (SPC). Together they formulated the concept for The 144 ELiTE’s AgreeAbles +v- DisAgreeAbles project and released the album. Needless to say, since his induction into the SPC, JusTice has had the opportunity to shine on many songs and album releases that go as far as SPC in America, Europe and Australia. He has toured extensively with the SPC and independently, becoming a stage and studio veteran. With the release his newest gift, “JusTice AllaH presents…SuPreMe MaTheMaTiCs”, he is now busy at work on another upcoming album/dvd project entitled “JusTice Served” to be released January 22, 2011. He is actively involved in community outreach programs, such as NOW – an organization formed by local artists to clean, protect and educate the community in which they live. NOW members agree that as an artist (music, visual, writing, dance, ect.) you are responsible to create meaningful work for your culture. You’ve been giving a small keyhole glimpse into the world of a living giant. There’s so much more to know and see concerning JusTice AllaH. The government watches him constantly using COINTELPRO tactics. That should tell you something about the seriousness of what he has to say and the stories that he has to tell. The best way to find out what you need to know is to listen to his music. There’s a lot of catching up to do so you better get started. Check outhttp://www.the144elite.com/for starters. You can also get a personal link to JusTice AllaHby contacting him on www.myspace.com/justiceallah144.
SOLO PROJECTS - SUPREME MATHEMATICS, JUSTICE SERVED
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Harkore is a breathe of fresh air to the city of Houston, TX, Harkore and Infamus have been on the grind since the tender age of 16! In High School they started a movement creating NSR (nonstop rebels) and began to get the attention of their friends, fellow peers, and their teachers! By the age of 17 they debut their first mixtape “The Definition” which legitimized them as a force to be reckoned with! Since then, they dropped a new mixtape called, “The Natty Dread”…. Which just dropped in the begining of the year 2010. Throughout time, they been dropping music videos and doing shows. Constantly grinding and doing the impossible, possible. Since the Natty Dread Album, they been improving their recognition in the streets and in the media. They have had the priviledge of gracing the stage of Buckshot, Smif n Wessun, Cypress Hill, & Guilty Simpson… There is alot to expect from the Non-Stop Rebels, these talented individuals have alot to bring to the table. Not just coming from hip hop in houston, but they bringing something new to come, which is the Spanish music… NSR is bringing Dancehall Back with culture coming from El Salvador, there is a Album soon to come called, “Shotta”. Be on the lookout for that, and we’ll keep you informed… Harkore – “The Lyrical Beast”
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