Above: The Michael Foster Project. Image courtesy of the band.
Baton Rouge’s talent isn’t just limited to the eight bands profiled in this issue. Here’s a look at some other notable bands and what they’re up to in 2015.
Ask the Thomas Bros.:These twins, who you may recognize from 225’s 2015 People to Watch, are as well known for their R&B music as they are for their community outreach. Check them out at MPAC May 7 at the Shaw Center for the Arts. attb.us
Camp Life:A punk-rock trio that plows through catchy songs in two minutes or less is working on its debut EP for release this year. camplyfe.bandcamp.com
DJ PushPlay: A sought-after club DJ, Lee “DJ PushPlay” Ashton is constantly concocting original mixes and mash-ups. See him spin with DJ 2EZ at MPAC’s DJ battle on the roof of Tsunami May 7. djpushplay.com
Listen, Earth:For fans of post rock, this instrumental quartet released a new EP, Embark, late last year. With a new drummer, the band will be performing more regional shows soon. listenearth.bandcamp.com
Justin Garner: The R&B singer who lit up the iTunes charts in Japan and won on an episode of MTV’s Copycat is already working on a follow-up to last year’s We Only Have Forever. justingarner.com
The Michael Foster Project: Michael Foster has been playing locally for two decades. Catch his brass brand performing their jazz-R&B tunes two to three nights a week at places like the Varsity, Chelsea’s or L’Auberge Casino & Hotel. Foster also brings a different musician and chefs every Monday to the Roux House for Red Beans & Rice nights. facebook.com/MichaelFosterProject
Minos the Saint:Peter Simon, Ben Herrington and Micah Blouin make soothing indie sounds. After competing in this year’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert competition, Minos the Saint is working on a follow-up to its 2013 EP. facebook.com/minosthesaint
Pacifico:This power-pop band is going strong after the release of 2013’s Without Heroes. Schwartz says the follow-up will be equal parts electro-pop and garage rock. pacificorock.com
The Rakers:Baton Rouge’s “thinking man’s drinking band.” The Rakers are led by writer/professor/vocalist-guitarist Alex V. Cook. The band released a debut EP, There Is a Snake!, in 2014 and currently hosts a monthly concert called River City Rewind at Chelsea’s Café’s side bar. facebook.com/therakersbr
Ryan Harris:Americana singer-songwriter Ryan Harris is putting the finishing touches on his new record, which was recorded at The Legendary Noise Floor on Government Street and includes performances from Clay Parker, Eric Schmidt and Becca Babin. facebook.com/ryanharrisandco
Thou:After 2014 crowned Thou the heavy metal band of the year, they’ve already released a split with The Body this year. Special edition white and clear vinyls of the new release sold out in a heartbeat. noladiy.org/thou
We are always looking for new music at 225. If you know an artist we missed, tell us about them at [email protected].
