Artist Profile: Pumpkin Head Ted

If you'd like a bit of an acoustic sound at this year's Sound Sessions festival, then Pumpkin Head Ted might be the band for you. Here is some info about the band from their MySpace:
Pumpkin Head Ted (PHT) was formed on a Friday in 1994 to fill in for a band that had cancelled for the next night in a downtown New Bedford, MA venue.

The band was an instant hit and became the Saturday night house band for the next several years.

During this period the band went through many changes but stayed true to an acoustic format while experimenting with many styles.

PHT was originally: Tom Short on flute, saxes and vocals; John Nieman on guitar and vocals; and Matt Ryckebusch on bass. Later it expanded to include: Jason Smith on washboard, percussion, guitar and vocals; vocalist Kathy Crowley; Doug Tuxworth on sax; and Pat Pounds on mandolin.

The Pumpkin Head Ted band was named after Ted Kennedy whose politics, drinking ability and large Jack-O-Lantern like noggin we all admire greatly!

"Swamp Yankee" is our first CD and contains our own songs as well as the covers that have kept us popular in South East MA. It was recorded in a single session at Sound Station Seven in Providence, RI using a "studio live" format, no overdubs or corrections. Engineer Rob Pemberton did a fantastic job!

You can hear some of this fantastic music, including the track Rhode Island Reggae, by going to their MySpace. Then, head over to the voting page if you want to see PHT this July.

Artist Profile: Sol 18

Speaking of Latin pop, Sol 18 is also ready to make their mark at Sound Sessions with their sound. Here is a quick bio from their website:

Sol 18 creates music that generates a myriad of sounds by infusing a blend of Latin rhythms and cultural elements . Sol (sun), represents the purpose of their music: to reach audiences of all races, languages, ages and music preferences like rays from the bright sun. The Sol 18 project was initiated on the 18th day of the month by Jose Tejada, hence the significance of the number 18.

The band members come from various parts of Latin America, bringing with them the best of their roots, experiences and diverse musical backgrounds; essentially, uniting them by the same "Sangre Latina". (Latin Blood). This eclectic mix provides them with a unique sound enabling them to express their cultural heritages and beliefs through their music. Their music is often defined as "Urban Latin Sound" making this band reflect the people’s voice, "La Voz Del Pueblo".

You can hear one of their tracks on MySpace, and as always you can vote for Sol 18 for the Sound Sessions festival coming in July.

Artist Profile: Santa Mamba

If you are looking for an exciting combination of Latin, Funk, and Rock music, then Santa Mamba is the band for you. Take a look at their bio from MySpace:
Santa Mamba is a complex fusing of musical styles and personalities. Elements of rock, salsa, funk, reggaeton, rumba, jazz, merengue, bachata, bolero, and hip-hop can be heard in their music, but they are best described through the unique offerings each member brings to the band. Lead vocalist Gio Murillo is an iconic and visionary front-man whose bold voice is strikingly original in the way it oscillates between the salsa troubadour and the rocker. Guitarist John Medeiros brings focus, discipline, and a classic sound on his instrument, covering stylistic ranges from flamenco fingerstyle to Hendrixian wailing. Keyboardist Aaron Wade offers sophistication and breadth of musical knowledge, flavoring the band’s sound with a touch of jazz and classical through his penetrating understanding of the piano. Nick Wade, with a singular attitude and energy, has found an unprecedented way to make it seem like slap-punk-funk bass and Latin music always belonged together. Percussionist Gary Mendoza brings a dynamic of both fun and seriousness to the sound, with an exuberant stage energy and a dedication to expanding his rhythmic vocabulary with respect to the Latin traditions. And John Ferreira, the band’s new addition on drums, provides a rock-solid foundation, combining impeccable time with a passion for grooves and rhythms from around the globe in a way that perfectly complements the overall sound. As a whole, Santa Mamba delivers a powerful message of unity and diversity, spanning cultural, language, and stylistic classifications to create a sound and show that demands listener participation.

Santa Mamba, established in 2005, evolved naturally from Planet Groove, a RI-based genre-defying sonic experiment that was started in 1994. The band carries with it the experience of a rich and extensive history, and takes as much pride in offering dependable, professional service as it does in creating top quality music and entertainment.

If you would like to know more about Santa Mamba, please visit Santa Mamba’s website, which has a robust archive of photos from various live shows, a music page where you can listen to studio and live sample cuts, a complete gig schedule, press & media downloads, and profiles on all the band members and their history.

And once again, you can go to the Sound Search voting page to bring Santa Mamba to the festival in July.