by rudyards | June 29th, 2012
Soup (Austin, TX)
https://www.thesouphouse.net/
SOUP has been moving feet since 2006 when two musicians with like-minded tastes began playing local bars and clubs in the East Texas area. Between Colt Pope’s sweet, crooner voice and Anthony Parrotta’s rhythmic bass a new sound began to form. After developing a devoted following, the pair decided to move away from a two man gig and start a full band. Anthony knew just the right men for the job. S…imon Page grew up in Ft. Worth with Anthony and began tearing up the guitar at the age of 16; Josh Bickley played drums alongside Simon in the alt/rock band Lean. The ripping sound of the guitar and the driving beat of the drums mixed with the already mellow sounds of the bass creating the perfect back drop for the painfully soulful wail of the vocals. In 2008 SOUP had their debut show and live recording at Banita Creek Saloon in Nachogdoches, Tx. Feeling the pressures of small town life versus big life dreams, all of the members felt it was time to relocate to a bigger stage. Centered in Austin, SOUP has been building a following around Texas for half a decade. Having a essence of “soulful, blues-rock” with taste of grunge, SOUP believes there is no sound like the live sound, and they are guaranteed to entertain an audience of any age.
Only Beast (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/OnlyBeast
“Anti-matter in leprous hands. They will summon demons and use them as coffee tables to prop their feet on.”
- Stephan B. Wyatt (Illegal Wiretaps) describing Only Beast
Journey Agents (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Journey-Agents/168448393904
The Journey Agents (commonly referred to as the J.A.’s) are a Houston-based, six member funk ensemble. The music, simply and conveniently classified as funk, is all original (barring the occasional Curtis Mayfield or Lonnie Liston Smith jam) and often explores other territories as well. Latin, percussion-heavy samba rhythms, textures of jazz, and energy of rock are elements that can also be found in the grease bucket. Cosmic, spacy vibes, yet earth-rooted and tightly arranged movements, are designed to be crowd-centric. A phased out Rhodes piano is a common centerpiece, and is punctuated by the warm tube glow, mid 70’s virtuosity and analogue know-how of the players (whose collective name was modeled after a piece by Rashaan Roland Kirk.) The band’s shared passion for the likes of the Isley Brothers and Roy Ayers is a clear central influential force. The lyrical content often revolves around such politically charged, spiritually aware themes as fried chicken and Cadillacs – subjects many musicians and global leaders are afraid to touch. But the JA’s be puttin’ it in yo earhole anyhow.
2010 & 2011 Houston Press Music Awards nominees for Best R&B/Funk/Soul
