UTAH ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: The Codi Jordan Band (The CJB)

 

(The Codi Jordan Band plays THE COMPLEX in SLC with CWMA winners, King Niko - 3/18/11)  Photo by Mateo Coletti

By Rian Frost

I have had the pleasure of seeing The Codi Jordan Band (The CJB) perform on several occasions, being a local Ogdenite and faithful to my local watering holes. Each and every time this band graces the stage, I am left more and more pleasantly surprised, and left to anxiously await their next showing.

Codi Jordan brings together on stage a collaboration of reggae with a "new school" 311 feel. Always serving up a dance party and a good time, his vocals are smooth and the lyrics are simple but the grooves make it impossible not to move.

The CJB's new album "Positivity" provides you with just that. Positive vibes and good tunes, envoking the desire to down a beer and bob your head.

The Codi Jordan Band has recently toured the Western United States rocking stages in Idaho, Utah, Washington, California and Colorado. They have been featured on several radio stations and with each show, their fan base grows. I don’t see things stopping or slowing down for this band anytime soon.

The CJB also opened up for Neon Trees at the House of Blues Park City during Sundance 2011.

If ever The Codi Jordan Band is in your neck of the woods, I highly recommend putting on your flip flops, a tie-dye T-shirt and money to throw down on a few brews and head to the show. It is an experience I think all would enjoy!

FOR MORE INFO ON THE CJB...CLICK HERE!

The Wayne Hoskins Band opens the House of Blues Park City - 1/18/2011

By Rian Frost

As the first band ever to grace the stage at the Sundance Film Festival’s House of Blues, The Wayne Hoskins Band kicks off the celebration with a bang. Bringing in an impressive number of fans and passers-by off the streets of Park City for a Tuesday night, on the eve of this prestigious film fest.


Dustin Wayne’s smooth, sultry vocals seduce the crowd almost immediately as the show gets underway. As he belts out the ballads, the crowd slowly makes its way towards the stage, and with each song more and more patrons inch closer to the stage to get a better look and better listen of these euphorically, catchy melodies.


It’s easy to lose yourself in the emotion of the lyrics, as Dustin pours his heart out with every note. Some songs are about love gone wrong, where it almost feels wrong not to grab your lighter and sway along to the music. Some are about love gone right, which invokes you to smile and move along to the mesmerizing beats.  Some songs are about going out, grabbing a drink and having a good time. I think this is what is so great about The Wayne; it’s easily relatable as the lyrics are written about the human condition, things we all have gone through, go through or will go through. The Wayne will win your heart over every time.

As you take in this refreshing new talent, it’s hard not to spend time eyeing each band member’s individual talent and “the bacon” they bring home to the band. Dave Lund accompanies Dustin’s vocals nicely with his soft, clean voice and provides classic and powerful tones with his guitar to The Wayne’s songs.


Carl Santoro adds the vital pulse to The Wayne on the bass, and Michael Higgins provides harmonic and sympathetic tones to the music on the keys, and jazz’s up the beat with the rhythm of the tambourine.


Eric Santoro provides the heartbeat behind the band, with his unique fusion of beats that progressively and steadily grow stronger throughout each song with remarkable precision.


As you take in the talent that The Wayne has to offer with its enchanting and refreshingly classic sound, it’s apparent that behind this tight, meticulous sounding band stands not only remarkable talent in its musicians, but also in a highly devoted and brilliant production team.


The Wayne’s highly-regarded EP album, “Breaking Here” has yet to leave my CD player.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WAYNE...HERE


READ AN OFFICIAL REVIEW OF TWHB "BREAKING HERE" EP

WATCH THE WAYNE'S SUNDANCE 2011 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT BY PCTV

LISTEN TO "BREAKING HERE" ON ITUNES

In the Studio with King Niko

  

By Rachael Alvine

It’s Saturday morning and the members of King Niko arrive at the studio calm, cool, confidant.  Local fan favorites and Winners of the 2011 City Weekly Music Awards, the band is currently in production at Rockfish Studios on their new single, “Intentions.”

Despite their recent local fame and recognition, these guys are down to earth, real musicians.  Constantly creating new sounds in the studio, every member of the band takes a vested interest in each part of the song’s production.  The band has been known to get down around town, but in the studio, they are the perfect mix of seriously creative and truly easy-going.

“Intentions” is a song inspired by transitory times, not knowing what will happen next, but still knowing that the best is yet to come.  Ransom Wydner, lead vocalist for King Niko, explains that the song was inspired by days spent in a hotel, in between homes, feeling the chaos and rush of change.  

When asked about their recording experience at Rockfish, the band agrees that engineer and music producer, Mateo Coletti, “knows his (stuff)” and has helped to craft a solid musical foundation for “Intentions” through collaboration with each individual member of the band. Ransom on Rockfish relates, “We love those guys.  They’re our kind of people….professional and easy to work with creatively.”

King Niko’s bass player, Tim Rawcliffe, describes the tracking room at Rockfish Studios as a “fortress of solitude” that allows for intimate, creative expression during takes. Wydner is a long-time vocal performer, and it shows in the studio.  His vocal takes are impressively strong, melodic and always “in the pocket.”

The band is discussing original artwork and possibly a new music video in connection with the release of the “Intentions” single, which is due out by the end of the month.

King Niko’s next gig is a CD release event for Long Distance Operator (LDO), whose new album is getting a lot of attention from Utah’s music community.  Wydner, a friend and fan of LDO, describes them as "Queen meets Queens of the Stone Age” and only has good things to say about the recordings on their new album.  Ransom performs vocals on one of the tracks.

King Niko and LDO will be joined by The Bloop, a modern Zappa-esque band, that includes former band mates of Wydner, on Saturday, May 7^th at The Canyon Inn for the much-anticipated live music event. 

“Intentions”, the new single from Utah fan favorites, King Niko, out this month.

WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO HERE

Senior Writer and Editor for THE UNLIMITED...

 

Rachael Alvine

Rachael Alvine is a Utah-based freelance writer, editor and music and entertainment blogger, who covers live concerts, music festivals and indie/industry album releases from artists throughout the US and parts of Mexico. Rachael dedicates much of her time and energy to the indie record label where she is the director of publicity and advertising, content editor for the label’s website, press writer and senior A&R rep.  

Always analyzing trends in the music industry and seeking out those paradigm shifting bands that will lead the next wave of popular music, Rachael writes her music industry blog, THE UNLIMITED, with real passion for music, artists and the individual messages they are sharing with the world, through their songs.   

Rachael also coordinates major music events (such as during the Sundance Film Festival) and works closely with artists in helping them find their niche in the music and entertainment industry. 

A lifelong music fan, Rachael spends many nights exploring the local music scene in Salt Lake City and the surrounding urban areas in the region, and is always contemplating new ways of bringing relevant, reliable, creative information to music fans who truly appreciate learning about new artists and passionately search for new music.  

Genres: Alternative, Americana (Roots), Blues, Classic Rock, Club, Electric Rock, Folk, Folk Rock, Hard Rock, Indie, Reggae, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Underground Hip Hop